Testament

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Testament is a Thrash Metal band from San Francisco. Formed under the name "Legacy" in 1983, they took on their current name in 1986. They are generally held as one of the leading bands of the thrash scene, although they've never achieved the same mainstream recognition as the famous Big Four.

Members:

  • Current:
  • Chuck Billy (Vocals)
  • Alex Skolnick (Guitar)
  • Eric Peterson (Guitar)
  • Greg Christian (Bass)
  • Paul Bostaph (Drums, currently on hiatus due to injury)
  • Gene Hoglan (Drums, currently filling in for Paul)
Discography:
  • The Legacy (1987)
  • The New Order (1988)
  • Practice What You Preach (1989)
  • Souls of Black (1990)
  • The Ritual (1992)
  • Low (1994)
  • Demonic (1997)
  • The Gathering (1998)
  • First Strike Still Deadly (2001)
  • The Formation of Damnation (2008)
  • The Dark Roots of Earth (May 2012, tentative)
Testament provides examples of the following tropes:
  • Apocalypse Wow: "Three Days In Darkness".
  • Big Fun / Fat Bastard: Chuck.
  • Cassandra Truth: "The Preacher" is about someone who frequently tells these.
  • Cover Version: Aerosmith’s "Nobody's Fault" on The New Order.
  • Driven to Suicide: "Falling Fast" from Souls of Black.
  • Evil Overlooker: The cover of The New Order.
  • Genre Shift: From standard thrash to a more Death Metal sound during the 90's.
  • Green Aesop: "Greenhouse Effect" on Practice What You Preach.
  • Guttural Growler: Chuck Billy, although not to the usual extent. While he's more than capable of the traditional death metal growl, he usually uses a very distinctive roar.
  • Heavy Meta: Averted by "Into the Pit". It's hard to say what it is about, but the lyrics certainly have nothing to do with moshing.
  • He's Back: The Formation of Damnation served as this for Chuck and Alex - Chuck had recovered from cancer, and Alex had rejoined the band. True to this trope, the album kicks ass.
  • Mohs Scale of Rock and Metal Hardness: Most of their stuff is about 8. The Ritual varies from about 6-8 and their late 90's albums (Demonic and The Gathering) can go up to a 9.
  • The Remake: First Strike Still Deadly is a rerecording of some of their most well liked tracks. YMMV on whether the originals or the new versions are better.
  • Renaissance Man: Alex Skolnick has also found the time to play with Trans-Siberian Orchestra and create his own jazz fusion group.
  • Skunk Stripe: Alex has one.
  • Vocal Evolution: Chuck, to a degree.
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