ALBUM REVIEW: Testament - "Live At The Fillmore", "Demonic", "The Gathering", "First Strike Still Deadly", "Live At Endhoven '87" (Reissues)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Reissue

Date Released: 26/01/2018

Label: Nuclear Blast

When at their best, as on “The Gathering”, there are few thrash bands who are their equal.

"Live At The Fillmore" (1995), "Demonic"(1997), "The Gathering"(1999) (remastered by Andy Sneap) "First Strike Still Deadly"(2001), “Live At Eindhoven '87"(2009)

The Review:

Testament's career is generally viewed as being a little behind the pace of the Big Four, but not by too much. Cursed with a late start via their debut of “The Legacy”, they followed it up impressively with “The New Order”, got a little more catchy on “Practice What You Preach” and then... lost their way a little chasing Metallicaand then Pantera'scoat tails. The records they released in the first half of the 90's were thus a mixed bag- great moments, weaker moments, thrash, no thrash and so on.

These welcome reissues, then, remind us of what a potent force Testament returned as via a shot of more extreme metal and an iron will. These reissues cover a couple of live albums- from 1987 and 1995 and then their studio output from 1997 into the new millennium. Let's be clear, Testament at their lowest ebb were still one of the best metal bands around, and so if “Live at The Fillmore” catches them on tour after the release of the album “Low”, it cherry picks the best tracks from their career to that time. It's a solid and punchy listen- if maybe lacking the “lightning in a bottle” x-factor that, say, “No Sleep Til Hammersmith” has. It works as a fine live best of- most of the best album tracks are represented. 1987's “Live at Eindhoven”catches the band at the very start of their international career and the performances are rough, ready, energetic and fiery. Both releases are really for fans only. For me John Dette being on drums makes “Live at The Fillmore” superior for me. He is one of the very best drummers in thrash. He played with Anthrax, filling in for the equally majestic Charlie Benante and he absolutely blew Paul Bostaph away- who must have been having an off night!

1997's “Demonic” is a superb and surprisingly extreme listen. Chuck Billy introduced some very extreme elements to his vocals to excellent effect and the overall impression is of a band revitalised and out-heavying the competition (Metallica and Megadethwere at career low points musically at this point, Anthrax were effectively inactive and Slayerwere coming off the back of their worst studio album). Eric Peterson was firmly at the helm as usual, with Chuck ably upping his game and the mighty Gene Hoglan stepping in on drums. While Alex Skolnick was not present, Greg Alvelais proved a worthy replacement with Greg Ramirez rounding out the studio line up. The death metal influence is strong and the record finds the band doing what they want to do- trends be damned. Great performances all around and impressive writing; what a great come-back record! It also sounds great- tight and clear with lots of weight to the production.

However, with “The Gathering” in 1999, the band hit an all time high. Dave Lombardo delivers a masterclass in thrash metal drumming (thanks Aaron!) and all the material is top notch. From the massive opener “DNR” to “Hammer of The Gods”, this is a thrash tour de force from a time when no-one was releasing such records. There are some classic tunes on here- “Riding The Snake”, “3 Days in Darkness”, “Legions of The Dead”. Every track is prime Testamentand is right up there with “The Legacy”and “The New Order”- with much better production. The fact that it is, in my view, Testament's best makes it one of the best thrash albums of all time. Chuck proves on this one that he is one of the best and most versatile vocalists in metal, while the chemistry between Peterson and Lombardo is sublime. Steve Digiorgio helping out on bass really helps the cause too- metal royalty! As a final boost, Andy Sneap's production is excellent.

“First Strike...Still Deadly”rounds out the studio releases and is one of my favourite Testament records. Whilst some fans may moan about the band re-recording their earlier classics and the clinical sound, I loved this at the time of release and still do. The sound is excellent, the performances are uniformly good (John Tempesta on drums this time around) and the song choices are stellar. Having Steve Zetro Souza come back for a couple of very early compositions is a nice bonus and overall I would recommend buying this over and above the first two studio albums! That may well not be a popular view, but there it is.

The verdict on this set of re-issues? Three essential releases and two live albums of good to great quality. Testament are usually mentioned in the same breath as Exodusand Overkillas being just outside the Big Four, but that is not to say that they don't knock all of Anthrax'swork plus half of Slayer's, Megadeth's and Metallica's discography into a neatly cocked hat. When at their best, as on “The Gathering”, there are few thrash bands who are their equal. After an extended break while Chuck Billy dealt with cancer, Testamentreturned and to date have released three great studio records from 2008 onwards. A classic band.

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Warbringer - “Woe To The Vanquished”

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 31/03/2017

Label: Napalm Records

Simply put, all the ingredients of the good side of thrash are here: big riffs, great production, soaring leads and aggressive vocals. It's a beast of a sound and the band will keep fans of Exodus, Testament, Death Angel et al happy all year. If you want some thrash, this one comes recommended.

“Woe To The Vanquished” CD//DD//LP track  listing:

1 Silhouettes

2 Woe to the Vanquished

3 Remain Violent

4 Shellfire

5 Descending Blade

6 Spectral Asylum

7 Divinity of Flesh

8 When the Guns Fell Silent

The Review

Warbringer return after their slick 2013 tour de force of “IV: Empires Collapse”, with this more extreme and gnarly effort. Bay area thrash is on the table here; this is for fans of Exodus and Death Angel.

There are blasts as well as thrash pacing (the title track), leads that sound very much out of Alex Skolnick's play book and an overwhelming feeling that you have heard this type of thing before... but that doesn't mean that you don't want to hear it again! Highlights are plentiful; the title track, “Remain Violent”, “Divinity of Flesh”...There is even an epic album closer in the shape of “When The Guns Fell Silent”.

As noted above, this is not as slick and, well, 'album-like' as its predecessor, but it is a feral collection of thrash songs played in the modern style, with every reference point harking back to the glory days of 1985-1990. It's violent and fun, that's for sure, whether it has the sticking power of “IV…” remains to be judged over time.

Simply put, all the ingredients of the good side of thrash are here: big riffs, great production, soaring leads and aggressive vocals. It's a beast of a sound and the band will keep fans of Exodus, Testament, Death Angel et al happy all year. If you want some thrash, this one comes recommended.

“Woe To The Vanquished” is available everywhere now



FFO: Exodus, Death Angel, Testament, Havok

Band info: facebook



TERRIFIER ALBUM PREMIERE: Canadian Thrash Titans debut 'Weapons of Thrash Destruction’ & front man Chase Thibodeau picks his Top 5 Thrash Albums

The terrifically titled Terrifier brings their thrash metal apocalypse straight outta Vancouver BC. As the Metal God himself Rob Halford memorably sang: ‘fast and furious/we ride the universe’, that very much sums up Terrifier’s dedication to the glory of thrash!

Originally known as Skullhammer, Terrifierreleased their debut album ‘Destroyers of the Faith’ back in 2012 and the “Metal Or Death” EP in 2013, so this is no flash-in-the-pan thrash band!  
Incorporating jackhammer drums, bulldozing bass-lines, a twin-lead attack that leaves posers pulped in its wake, and vocals that can level mountains, Terrifier’s motto could well be ‘thrashing is our business…and business is good’ . Terrifier taken the blueprint from the old gods, Metallica, Slayer, and used that template to birth new sounds, indeed the old gods maybe eternal but must embrace the new flesh too!  Vocalist, bassist and founder member Chase Thibodeau explains Terrifier’s reason for being. ‘We formed this band because we love thrash and play what we think sounds cool…our music is fast, technical, heavy and melodic and shredding.’ Indeed, this is a band that truly puts the shred inside your head!


Chase sums up Terrifier’s new music: ‘We think people will enjoy this album and use our music to get pumped up for whatever life throws at them. It would be our honour to inspire others into thrash metal…the world needs more thrash!’  So with Terrifier’s new album ‘Weapons of Thrash Destruction’ is slated for release on January, 20 2017 via Test Your Metal Records you can exclusively stream the album here first below.  Not only that we invited Chase to give us the low down on his top 5 thrash albums, so for the second time in a week, we crack the dial to 11, because “11 is one Louder”





Hey guys this is Chase from Terrifier and here's my top 5 thrash albums.

Metallica's “Kill Em' All” was the first CD I ever owned. The first time I listened to it I wasn't sure that I liked it cause of the quality of the recording. I soon became obsessed with it and would listen to Metallica religiously throughout my teenage years. It has a real sharp mid range sound with blaring solos and the vocals sound so 80's! I always liked that fast upbeat sound. I think this is what really inspired me to play thrash. “Four horsemen”, “Metal Militia” and “Phantom Lord” are really bad ass songs from that CD.

 

“Show No Mercy”by Slayerwas huge for me. I really think this is one of Slayers best albums. It's different than the rest and holds a special place in my influences. “Die by the sword”, “Fight till' Death” and “Evil has no boundaries” are my picks.

 

“Reign in Blood”by Slayerhas always got my adrenaline flying through the roof. I think we take influence from Slayersaggression, speed and attitude. Lyrically I'm very inspired by them. I don't think anyone writes lyrics like old school Slayer. “Altar of Sacrifice” and “Angel of Death” are killer!

 

Testament’s “The Legacy” is so bad ass!!! Chuck Billy's vocals really inspire me in this album. His mix of low, mid and high vocals on this one paved the way for my style. After hearing this I wanted to expand my vocal range and do more with voice. “Curse of the legions of death”and“The Haunting” are both killer songs off that one.

Megadeth's “Peace Sells…” was another CD I've always thought is one of the best thrash albums ever. Dave Mustaine and Chris Poland were a wicked duo on the guitars. “Wake up dead” and “Devils Island” are two songs that stand out to me on that one

Band info:  facebook || bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Testament - "Brotherhood of the Snake"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 28/10/2016
Label: Nuclear Blast

In simple terms, this is an excellent thrash album which reaches the heights of Testament's classic records. With ten tracks of quality you cannot lose. This is vicious and state of the art. Highly recommended.

“Brotherhood of the Snake” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Brotherhood of the Snake (4:14)

2. The Pale King (4:51)

3. Stronghold (4:00)

4. Seven Seals (5:39)

5. Born In A Rut (4:59)

6. Centuries of Suffering (3:34)

7. Neptune's Spear (5:26)

8. Black Jack (4:22)

9. Canna Business (3:52)

10. The Number Game (4:38)

The Review:

Testament are the band most often mentioned as the band just outside of the Big Four of thrash (I think Overkillis up there as well). Certainly, they are the band that Metallica could have been had they stuck to their roots and guns- if Lars wasn't involved, anyway.

With Gene Hoglan on drums, the musicianship here exceeds anything that Ulrich has even thought about in the last twenty five years. Sure enough, Hoglan blasts off on the title track as Peterson supplies brutal riffage. Testament 2016 is on top form. They have been building up a head of steam for the last decade; “The Formation of Damnation” was a very good record, as was “The Dark Roots of Earth”. This is even better. It is a feast of thrash all the way through. It blows away their tepid early 90's records. It is up there with career high points (the two most recent albums certainly count) such as “The Legacy” and “The Gathering”. Track after track, this is a relentless beating.

It is fantastic to hear that the Bay Area thrash bands that matter have still got it. With Exoduscoming off a decade of really solid albums, Testament are also vying for the West Coast crown. To be fair, Death Angel are also on the form of their lives at the moment too. It is a good time to be a thrash fan. Skolnik produces lead pyrotechnics as per, while Chuck Billy remains one of the best thrash vocalists (and certainly the most versatile). “The Pale King” is a stormer, “Stronghold”is a muscular beast, “Seven Seals”sounds absolutely vintage in content and delivery, “Born In a Rut” is catchy and menacing... the album is only half way and already it is a winner.

The latter half of the album is just as vicious- it kicks off with a real banger in “Centuries of Suffering” and does not let up form there. The material here is concise and epic sounding- no mean feat- while the band are playing with some real fire in their bellies. As “Neptune's Spear” and “Black Jack” sprint past, the album is nearly over. It is an engaging listen and an easy album to listen to all the way through, too. “Canna Business” expresses thoughts that many readers will agree with and “The Number Game” is an excellent closer.

In simple terms, this is an excellent thrash album which reaches the heights of Testament'sclassic records. With ten tracks of quality you cannot lose. This is vicious and state of the art. Highly recommended.

“Brotherhood of the Snake” is available everywhere now

Band info: facebook

FFO: Metallica, Exodus, Death Angel, Overkill