Tag: testament (Page 2 of 2)

What we have here ladies and hemorrhoids, is a wonderful reissue of Testament’s first album which was originally released in ’87. Metallica had released 3 albums and were huge by the time Testament had recorded this, and they both came out of that same Bay Area scene. Chuck Billy had replaced Steve Zetro Souza in ’86 on vocals, who went on to replace Paul Ballof in Exodus, making him, along with Eric Peterson, the only two members to appear on all albums.

In my opinion, Testament had the best twin guitars of any of the early thrash bands, as both Skolnick and Peterson can really shred. The band always write killer tacks that you can groove to that’s what makes the band great. Highlights for me are Burnt Offerings, which does borrow heavily from the Metallica school of riffing but is a killer track, just for the sheer insanity of the how fast can we actually play a riff is C.O.T.L.O.D, which puts a big smile on my face, and the final track, Apocalyptic City, which along with the insane thrash riffage has some killer guitar.

They slow down somewhat for their next album, The New Order, which for me is their best album.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

This is one of Testament’s heaviest records. Recorded in ’97, when the whole Pantera thing was in full swing, and the sound reflects that. Even Chuck Billy’s vocals are full on growl. The only two original members are Billy himself, and Eric Peterson on guitars – plus they are joined by the amazing Gene Hoglan on drums.

Demonic is a very apt title for this record. From the very first note as the needle drops, it sounds pure evil. If you were a fan of the band around The Legacy and The New Order, then this sounds like a totally different band. Killer monster riffs and heavy grooves are high on the menu, and with Hoglan in the band, anything is possible. I do miss hearing the finesses of Alex Skolnick though. I think he is a great player and added that little something to the band.

The Demonic Refusal and The Burning Times are seriously heavy tracks, and they are a killer opening to proceedings. My favourites on the record are Jun Jun, which has an awesome groove and riff and is a tad different to the rest of the album, John Doe is another stand out track for me and the beginning is epic with massive chugga riffage. In fact nearly the whole of Side 2 is just so crushingly heavy that I like the whole Side. Special mention goes to the last track, Nostrovia, which has nods to old school thrash with a more intense drum groove – and the breakdowns are killer. Nuclear Blast have done a good job of these reissues and they sound great. A great addition to any metal fans collection.

9/10 from The Grooveman.