Chuck was breaking beer bottles over his own head': thrash metal legends Testament on 40 years of mayhem
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Chuck was breaking beer bottles over his own head': thrash metal legends Testament on 40 years of mayhem
"With their blistering, high-octane riffing and superb technical chops, one of the most formidable and resilient is Testament. Despite having enough lineup changes to rival the Fall, cancer scares and the 1990s grunge takeover that edged out cut-off denim for plaid shirts, Testament are still selling out tours, gnashing at the heels of the commercially dominating Big Four metal bands Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax and releasing new records with just as much vigour."
"It all started in late 1983 when, fresh from high school, Eric Peterson and cousin Derrick Ramirez from Alameda near Oakland, formed Testament's precursor, Legacy. The two guitarists played their first show above a record store with local punks Rebels and Infidels, but their next while clad in priest collars was supporting Slayer. That was our first taste of a sold-out crowd, says Peterson, as the band dial in from their homes across the US. We were so nervous. We only had four songs."
Testament began in late 1983 in Alameda when Eric Peterson and Derrick Ramirez formed Legacy and later recruited Alex Skolnick, Louie Clemente, Greg Christian and Steve Zetro Souza. The band emerged from the aggressive, fast Bay Area thrash scene, playing venues like Ruthie's Inn and supporting acts such as Slayer. Testament combined blistering riffing with technical chops and endured lineup changes, health scares and the 1990s grunge shift. The band continued recording and touring, maintaining commercial presence and releasing recent albums like Para Bellum while still selling out shows.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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