Testament. Thrash Kings

After Metallica broadcasted their famous "One" Music Video Clip, an Avalanche of good Visual Material dropped in front of our eyes as, every week the MTV, Infamous Head Bangers Ball, Bombed us with great shorts of all sorts, it was the time in which I would go and seat and watch the TV show which broadcasted all the best good Music happening at that moment, the year was 1989.

Thrash Metal, a combination between Punk in terms of the lyric's thematic content, the speed and raw sound of the earlier Motorhead and the Speed Metal created by no other than Metallica, is a prolific Music Style and as such it has created its own Form of Art.

Testament is one of the Bands that came from the Bay Area, along others ; Like Forbidden, Death Angel or Exodus, some of these outfits are still proficient, touring and making Records.

Therefore; Dark Angel, Forbidden (both Bands experienced a short but good come back in 2012-2014), Death Angel, Exodus and Testament are considered or they should be recognized as the Big 5.

These last three have experienced a re success, due to this resurgence of Thrash, Metallica and the Big four are still around. 

Testament in my opinion have bonded back better than never and had produced four of the most wonderful albums on recent years and since the reunion of the original line up, (minus their Drummer) and with a few line up changes the Band has released: The Formation of Damnation 2008 Dark Roots of Earth 2012 The Brotherhood of the Snake 2016 and Titans of Creation 2020.

I had the chance of finally seeing them in my Native Chile at the Santiago Metal Fest in 2013, along Anthrax and Forbidden.     Unfortunately I was not there a year later when the Forefathers of Thrash 'Dark Angel" performed, at that same Metal Fest I believe in 2014. The group had never played live since its dissolution after their Time Does Not Heal Classic album from 1991.

Thrash Metal had its peak in the mid-towards late 80's, most bands coming from San Francisco in California, "The Bay Area", the movement had a new Start during a festival to fund raise money for Chuck Billy singer of Testament, who had  Cancer at that time, the Thrash of Titans tour 2001, was the benefit concert which gathered: Heathen, Death Angel, Exodus and Vio-lence among several others.

 

Since this faithful event, Death Angel, Testament, Forbidden and also Dark Angel have remained active some on and off and Thrash Metal is still raging on; Kreator, Sacred Reich, Overkill, Whiplash, Sodom, Nuclear Assault, Metal Church are a few examples of how this Underground movement reaches still popularity around the Globe, probably thanks to its rich Musical content and achievement.

Testament are: Chuck Billy Singer, Eric Peterson Guitars and Vocals, Steve Di Giorgio Bass (formerly with Death), Gene Hoglan Drums (former Dark Angel Drummer) and Alex Skolnick Guitars.                                 

Check their Latest  Titans of Creation album from 2020 on Nuclear Blast Records, its full of great songs, the full speed thrash-death metal; Curse of Osiris, the memorable opener Children of the Next Level, the more Intricate-Progressive Ishtar's Gate, every political lyric and against corrupt society themes are all explored, there is even space for a very Dark Choir, Instrumental-Orchestrated song at the end of the record titled Catacombs. 

Without a doubt Testament have become one of the most important and interesting Bands in this pure, Re developed, re Invigorated and more Technical New Wave of Thrash Metal Music Scene.

Rodrigo Trupp for Música en Progreso. April 2020