Testament

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San Francisco Bay Area (1983 – present)

Testament was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980s. 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 frontman(and was later run over by a bus). The band became known as ‘Testament’ 3 years later, while recording their debut album in Ithaca, New York.

“The Legacy” was a brutal intro in 1987, putting Testament at the forefront of the flourishing thrash metal scene. Following “Live At Eindhoven”, an EP recorded at Holland’s Dynamo Festival, “The New Order” in 1988 was well received producing one of the band’s most memorable classics “Disciples Of The Watch”. Next came the highly successful “Practice What You Preach” in 1989, then the release of “Souls Of Black” in 1990, coinciding with the European ‘Clash Of The Titans’ tour with Slayer, Megadeth and Suicidal Tendencies.

After “The Ritual” in 1992, Skolnick, who was losing interest in pure metal, decided to pursue his interest in jazz and left the band. Clemente also departed. “Return To Apocalyptic City” in 1993 brought Glen Alvelais (guitar, ex- Forbidden) into the fold, and filling in temporarily for Clemente, Paul Bostaph (ex- Forbidden, Slayer).
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Top Albums

  • The Legacy
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  • The New Order
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  • The Formation Of Damnation
    Testament Play
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  • Souls of Black
    Testament Play
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Top Tracks

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817
2
666
3
610
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602
5
573
6
566
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556
8
542
9
538
10
526
11
505
12
478
13
461
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423
15  
392
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  • Sharp-Ton

    Old bones still strong.

    Sunday evening

  • Lionheartattack

    Dark Roots of Earth is going to be an awesome album, you just know it beforehand when you're talking about Testament. Those guys have been on a total hot streak lately! One of the only original thrash bands you can still count on to release an instant classic! The only thing I'd wish for their new album, compared to their other recent works, is a return to atmospheres like Alone in the Dark or Eerie Inhabitants intro. That is, dark, and roots. :P Those moments have been too few or unexistant recently. -- Also, the cover art really is awesome. I normally dislike those photoshop-like covers, but that one's style, color palette and degree of detail are spot-on!

    Saturday afternoon

  • J-A-S

    http://www.last.fm/group/Norwegian+Thrash+Metal

    Saturday morning

  • varyag62

    Cool

    Thursday afternoon

  • octopuss22

    Yeah i loved the Dark Roots of Earth's cover at the first moment i saw it. Looks so fucking awesome.

    Wednesday afternoon

  • NoooFun

    Yeah, looks great. Can't fucking wait.

    last week

  • LuizOpbrasil

    Holy satanic fucking shit, the new album cover is a total anal-assault!

    9 days ago

  • daspeedymole

    Guess the Bloodstock mystery 6-6-6 Headliner and win VIP tickets! http://team.bloodstock.uk.com/cc?t=11&m=567

    10 days ago
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