Testament were one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 80's. Originally formed as Legacy in 1983 by founding members Eric Peterson (rhythm guitar), Derrick Ramirez (guitar) and Louie Clemente (drums), the line-up included vocalist Steve Souza and Greg Christian (bass). Ramirez was later replaced by wunderkind Alex Skolnick (lead guitar). Souza soon departed to join Exodus and suggested that the towering Chuck Billy take over as front man. The band became known as Testament 3 years later, while recording their debut album in Ithaca, New York.

THE LEGACY (1987) MEGAFORCE/ATLANTIC

Named after their initial band name, Legacy, Testament's debut album came late, but good! I think the key ingredient in a solid thrash metal album is hunger, and Testament were at this point really hungry to show what they were capable of. Thrash had already grown immensely in popularity, due to bands like Metallica and Slayer. And now it was this Bay Area bands turn. The result was stunning. Thrash metal was never any better than what was being served us here. Just take a peak at the track list and see if you don't agree that this is one of the better metal albums of all times. To be honest, Testament should have replaced Slayer as one of the "big 4" thrash metal acts, as far as I am concerned. And this album more then proves it!

Killer tracks: Over The Wall, Burnt Offerings, Raging Waters, C.O.T.L.O.D., First Strike Is Deadly, Alone In The Dark, Apocalyptic City

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH (1989) MEGAFORCE/ATLANTIC

After having released 2 of the most acclaimed albums in thrash metal history, Testament return with yet another killer effort! 'Practice What You Preach' is almost like a blueprint for how late 80's thrash metal should sound. There are no fillers, just 100% thrash metal! I know many fans hated that they had recorded the appropriately entitled "The Ballad", but I love that tune too. All the songs are great, but the title-track is a personal favorite. Testament RULE!

Killer tracks: Practice What You Preach, Blessed In Contempt, Sins Of Omission, The Ballad

SOULS OF BLACK (1990) MEGAFORCE/ATLANTIC

Back when this album was new I was not that fanatical about music. As long as it was metal, I pretty much enjoyed it. So although many fans said that this was a step down for Testament, I never agreed. And to this day I don't agree. In fact 'Souls of Black' is one of my all time favorite thrash metal albums! What's not to like? The stellar thrash metal that is played in all the songs? The killer songwriting skills? The excellent guitar-work? Chuck's awesome voice? I just don't hear anything but catchy thrash metal, done better than 90% of their contemporaries. I like it just as much as 'Practice What You Preach'.

Killer tracks: Face In The Sky, Souls Of Black, Absence Of Light

THE RITUAL (1992) ATLANTIC

'The Ritual' is the album in Testaments catalogue that kind of sticks out like a turd in the punchbowl. The slick production does not do the heavy music justice, and we're stuck with a mediocre album. Killer songs, like "Electric Crown" and the awesome semi-ballad "Return To Serenity", are not enough to help this sinking ship stay afloat. Still, most fans will find stuff to enjoy here too. But as a Testament album, this is probably everyone's least favorite.

Killer tracks: Electric Crown, The Ritual, Return To Serenity

RETURN TO THE APOCALYPTIC CITY (1993) ATLANTIC

A good friend of mine sent me this fine mini-CD (thanks Scott). Here we get 4 killer live-tracks (of which 3 of them are all time favorites of mine), 1 song from their latest album, and 1 new studio track. Actually the song "Reign Of Terror" is an old tune, dating as far back as the bands demo-stage. For some reason it was never recorded back then (at least not on any of the albums).

LOW (1994) ATLANTIC

WOW, what an in-your-face attitude the mighty Testament have adopted!! I'm not sure if this is to please the new crowd who loves bands like Pantera and Machine Head, or if it is to please the death metal loving hordes. I choose to say neither. So Chuck have started to growl a bit more, using his voice a bit different at times. But the music is still the same thrash metal Testament always churned out. They have refused to compromised, and they are now heads above most other bands in the genre. 'Low' starts of as one of the strongest albums of the mid-90's, and it doesn't back off for 1 minute throughout the album. So if you love thrash metal, you're bound to like most of this album too. The strangely named instrumental got it's name from a Japanese Anime (animated movies for adults).

Killer tracks: Low, Legions (In Hiding), Hail Mary, Trail Of Tears, Dog Faced Gods

DEMONIC (1997) MUSIC FOR NATIONS

3 years after the ultra heavy 'Low' comes the even more heavy 'Demonic'. Especially the vocals are more growling then ever. And the whole feel of the entire album sees the band venture into darker territories. Really intense stuff. A song like "Hatreds Arise" could just as well have been on 'Practice What You Preach', so it's not that Testament are trying to be hip or modern. They just do what they do best, and that is to play great metal! For those who don't already know, "Nostrovia" is Russian for Cheers. The only other two words uttered in that song are "skål" (Norwegian for cheers) and "prost" (German for, yes you guessed it: Cheers!)

Killer tracks: Demonic Refusal, The Burning Times, John Doe, Hatreds Arise

FIRST STRIKE STILL DEADLY (2001) BURNT OFFERINGS/SPITFIRE

It has almost gone sport in releasing different Testament compilations these days. But this one is a bit different. First they wanted to remix some of the old tracks from their first 2 albums. But apparently their old record company would not allow it. Therefore the band re-recorded all the tracks, using today's technology, so that we all can hear what they would sound like if they were brand new in 2001. And the result is stunning! The list of classic tracks along would make a fan of this band drool. But add the crisp, yet powerful production that the band had on 'Demonic' and 'The Gathering', and you can imagine the joy of listening to this CD. Testament have also brought back some of the past members to play, even having Steve "Zetro" Souza (Exodus) singing the last 2 tracks. He was Testament's original singer, when they were known as Legacy. In my opinion Testament is today's finest thrash metal band. They are still doing what they did 20 years ago, and they do it just as good! The entire compilation is dedicated to Chuck Schuldiner (Death, Control Denied). Thank you Scott for getting me this awesome CD!

THE FORMATION OF DAMNATION (2008) NUCLEAR BLAST

Finally, after a waiting period of 9 years we get a new album from Testament!! And not only that, it's almost the entire classic line-up together once again also! Only Lou Clemente is missing behind the drums. But I don't think no one is complaining to have Paul Bostaph at the helm either! 'The Formation Of Damnation' opens with a cool intro that just reeks of the Testament sound of old! My high expectations just went up a notch further! And let me be clear about one thing....... this is a thrash metal monster! I just can't see how any fan of this classic band could be disappointed with this release. The music blends together both the 'Practice What You Preach' era and the heavier stuff from the latter albums. One might even say that this is one of the most successful fusions of all eras of thrash metal. Chuck is in fine form, delivering his sneers, growls and even some cleaner vocal styles. Eric and Alex delivers some of the tastiest guitar-work Testament have ever delivered. It's such a pleasure to have this phenomenal band back again. Not that I have ever complained about anything Testament have given me in the past, but something just fits when Chuck, Eric, Alex, Greg and now Paul comes together to thrash my brains out! It's impossible to sit still when classy thrash numbers such as "More Than Meets The Eye", "The Formation Of Damnation" and "F.E.A.R." is cranked at 11! Forget about the Big 4, this is the band that has been doin' the same thing over and over, and never backed away for anything or anyone! As far as I am concerned, Testament is the most consistent thrash metal act of all times! They never used Bon Jovi's producer, they never released a punk album. they never tried to copy the success of other bands, or jumped on any bandwagon. They just stayed true to their thrash metal legacy (pun intended), and I really hope they can reap the fruits of their labor with this excellent album! My only complaint must be that even though I love each and every song on this album, it might lack those 2 or 3 standout tracks that instantly becomes classics. And as such the CD comes across as somewhat samey. But what a minor complaint that is when we do get treated to 11 stellar tracks. There are no fillers here, but one of the songs are a bit unusual. The ending "Leave Me Forever" is a jazzy, funked-up mid-paced thing where Chuck at times is singing very differently. But the bass and drums alone is making this track totally worth while too. It's just very different. 'The Formation Of Damnation' will most likely be my favorite thrash metal album of 2008.

Killer tracks: Crank it up, and enjoy every second!

Here are some pictures I took at a Testament gig I attended in Oslo, 2004.

James Murphy guest appearances:

Vicious Rumors - 'Sadistic Symphony'

Firewind - 'Forged By Fire'

Alex Skolnick guest appearances:

Chris Caffery - 'Pins And Needles'

Related Artists:

Death, Exodus, Dark Angel, Savatage, Control Denied, Iced Earth, Agent Steel, Vicious Rumors, Nevermore, Cans, Scariot