BAY Area thrash giants Testament have announced that they will be re-releasing 5 of their classic albums on November 17th 2017 via Nuclear Blast.

The re-issues read as follows:
‘Live At The Fillmore’ (1995)
‘Demonic’ (1997)
‘The Gathering’ (1999) - remastered by Andy Sneap
‘First Strike Still Deadly’ (2001)
‘Live At Eindhoven '87’ (2009)

Guitarist Eric Peterson commented: "I'm super stoked that Nuclear Blast, 'the best metal label on earth', is re-releasing the re-birth of Testament era featuring ‘Demonic’ and ‘The Gathering’ these two albums brought us back to life with ultra-heavy and unrelenting fury and melody.

"Also '87's live classic in full ‘Live In Eindhoven’ and re-recordings of our classics ‘First Strike Still Deadly’. These classic records feature revamped art to boot that are unapologetic to their themes as they were."

Added vocalist Chuck Billy: "I am more than excited to have Nuclear Blast re-release part of our catalogue that has been in need of a good home. Nuclear Blast has taken these albums in and will help Testament bring something killer to our fans."

The re-issues of all 5 albums will feature stunning new artwork by Marcello Vasco (Slayer, Kreator, Hatebreed) and be released both as digipak CD and on black vinyl, ‘Demonic’, ‘The Gathering’ and ‘First Strike Still Deadly’ are also being released on silver vinyl.

An associated merchandise collection will be launched soon.

Pre-orders are available now for:  
Limited Digipack CDs & Black Vinyl
Limited Edition Silver Vinyl – ‘Demonic’, ‘The Gathering’, ‘First Strike Still Deadly'

LIVE REVIEW: The Vikings Return To Take Dublin as Amon Amarth Slay The Capital.

FOUNDED by the Vikings in the tenth century, Dublin was once again host to the Scandinavian marauders on Wednesday night (2nd November), as Amon Amarth laid waste to the city’s Vicar Street venue.

Touring in support of latest album ‘Jomsviking’, the Swedish band put on a lavish show that featured lights, risers, and a gigantic horned Viking helmet that dwarfed the theatre’s stage.

Ably supported by thrash legends Testament and respected metallers Grand Magus, fans were treated to a three band bill that featured some of the finest acts in the genre, providing something to suit fans of most vintages.

Following a well-received set by Grand Magus, it was California’s Testament who were the first to really ignite the Dublin crowd. Opening with a punishing ‘Brotherhood Of The Snake’ – the title track from their just released 11th studio release, the band were in fierce form from the off.

With singer Chuck Billy growling, gurning, and air guitaring throughout, the animated front man commanded the crowd’s attention, as Testament made their way through tracks culled mostly from the polar ends of their career.

Concentrating on songs from their last few studio albums, including the title tracks from comeback disc ‘The Formation Of Damnation’ and its follow-up ‘Dark Roots Of Earth’, the band also pleased early fans with the "old school thrash metal" of ‘Into The Pit’ and ‘Over The Wall’.

Revealing a political conscience, Billy – a Native American himself, dedicated the track ‘Stronghold’ to the Standing Rock protesters currently demonstrating at North Dakota, telling the audience; “this song is for all the Native Americans standing strong for what they believe in”.

On any other night Testament would have been a tough act to follow, however with the sold out venue bursting to capacity, and a dedicated following waiting in anticipation, the atmosphere was palpable as Amon Amarth’s impressive stage set-up was revealed.

Centred around a huge Viking helmet complete with customary horns, that doubled as a drum riser, it was Amon Amarth’s sense of theatrics and other-worldly production that took centre stage. Kicking off, fittingly with ‘The Pursuit Of Vikings’, with a spectacular light show and myriad platforms, not to mention a highly energetic musical prowess, the five-piece proved a treat for the both the eyes, and the ears.

Greeting the crowd, singer Johan Hegg said: “Good evening Dublin. How the fuck are you guys doing tonight?”, before asking; “Are you going to have some fun?”. Going on to reference the capital’s Norse history, the singer revealed; “we love coming to play in Dublin, because you guys are crazy Vikings”.

Playing a healthy smattering of tracks from their critically acclaimed latest album ‘Jomsviking’, as well as fan favourites like ‘Twilight Of The Thunder God’ and a rousing ‘Deceiver Of The Gods’, Dublin was treated to a Viking raid the likes of which hadn’t been seen in the city for over a
millennium.

Amon Amarth’s ‘Viking Crusade’ continues with dates in London on Friday night (4th October) and Birmingham on Saturday (5th November), before making its way to the continent for an extended run.

Review by Eamonn O'Neill
Photographs by Darren McVeigh
Reproduction by written permission only
This review first appeared on eonmusic.co.uk

ALBUM REVIEW: Testament bring a pureblood banger to the table on Brotherhood Of The Snake

EACH iteration of what we gloriously regard as metal has been greeted as taking it "too far". From the proto metal of Cream and Iron Butterfly, through its birth with Sabbath (ably abetted by Zep and Purple), to the 70s heyday of the likes of Priest, through to the NWOBHM.

The musical elite probably regarded each evolution in the metal sound in the same way that one Tchaikovsky said about his own 1812 Overture: "Very loud, noisy and completely without artistic merit".

In this age when black, death and other variations of extreme metal the reaction to thrash metal's birth when sniffy so-called experts were still obsessed with the dying breaths of the first wave of punk. They would have mentally referenced the notes on the 1812 Overture (one reviewer in the long since departed Sounds actually used it) and slated anything with a vaguely 'thrash' tag.

But, that vaguely deceptive grouping called fans could not get enough. The early albums of the 'Big Four' and the likes of Exodus were devoured, analysed with the complexity of each arrangement, riff and solo noted.

The Big Four should really have been the 'Big Six' for along with Exodus there was one force of nature that emerged from the Bay Area. Testament.

More than three decades later they are still very loud, noisy and have bucket loads of artistic merit as they release their new album 'Brotherhood Of The Snake'.

The time they have taken since the 2012 release of 'Dark Roots of Earth' to pen this new album has paid off. This is one of the most complete and balanced thrash metal albums with all the power and arrangements, coupled with new twists, melody and guitar work that seers the aural palette.

Sure, we know Chuck Billy is an evocative lyricist and Alex Kolnick is superb, but this feels as if the band has discovered a new freshness, a new hunger. We're positive that feeling never left Testament, but this takes the band's work to the next level.

From the classic riffing of the intros to 'Centuries of Suffering' and 'Neptune's Spear' through to the structurally wondrous 'The Pale King' and 'The Number Game' there are elements familiar and elements that cut through the morass of predictability amongst lesser thrashers.

“Having separate periods to write set it apart,” Eric (Peterson) said. “Everybody played hard. Chuck really surprised me and belted out stuff that’s more melodic over the heavy speed metal riffs. It blended really well together.”

"It does flow,” Chuck agrees. “There’s a lot of musicianship going on there, and I was finding hooks in the moment. I was able to feel it and just go.”

It is that hook up between Alex and Eric's guitar interaction and Chuck's vocal gymnastics that works so well as exemplified on 'Black Jack'.

However, where it rips into new levels of pure excellence it really does something else that on the first, second, third, fourth and subsequent listens just has the listener foaming at the mouth in pleasurable ecstasy: akin to the best metaphorical metallic orgasm...

The title track is sheer excellence.

“It was actually one of the first songs we put together,” Chuck said. “Once we heard it mixed, we were all like, ‘Wow, we have the direction we’re going in. It’s really heavy.’”

Heaviness is one thing, but without the subtle aim of a hammer that hits your brain in just then right spot it is just flailing around - no, this is a precision attack.

Whether it be biblical epoch lyrics, or socially scathing songss ('Canna Business' with its super chorus) Chuck is once again laying down as a wordsmith, his craft sometimes overlooked because of the subject matter.

For example, on the surface, album closer 'The Number Game' is just another song about a serial killer. Written in conjunction with Steve Souza it is a complete thrash track, chilling in its story, but all tied together with musical ability, and yes, artistic merit.

Billy, Peterson, Skolnick, DiGiorgio and Hoglan are all on top form - a true brotherhood of thrash; producing music that harkens back to those 80s glory days, but also has their head firmly in 2016, thanks to some extent to Juan Urteaga's production.

Aside from the frowns and headbanging thrash music induces, what 'Brotherhood Of The Snake' really does is make you smile. You may not want to admit it, but for those brought up on thrash, those who were too young for its birth, but still embrace thrash, this will make you smile...and bang your fucking head too!

Review by Jonny

Bortherhood Of The Snake is out on October 28th via Nuclear Blast 

The band are on tour with Amon Amarth and Grand Magus including a Dublin date on November 2nd

NEWS: Testament to release new album five days before Dublin date

LEGENDARY bay area thrash metal giants Testament have announced the title and release date of their highly anticipated upcoming 12th album.

‘The Brotherhood Of The Snake’ will be released on October 28th, 2016 via Nuclear Blast – just five days before they play in Dublin with Amon Amarth and Grand Magus.

The album was recorded by producer Juan Urteaga (Exodus, Heathen, Machine Head), guitarist Eric Peterson and singer Chuck Billy - and is currently being mixed and mastered by producer Andy Sneap (Accept, Arch Enemy, Cradle Of Filth, Kreator, Machine Head, Megadeth).

Testament were one of the first thrash metal band to emerge from the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980's, 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 Alex Skolnick (lead guitar). Souza soon departed to join Exodus and suggested that the imposing Chuck Billy take over as frontman. The band became known as 'Testament' three years later while recording their debut album in Ithaca, New York. ‘The Legacy’ was a brutal introduction 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’ (1988) was very well received, producing one of the band's most memorable classics ‘Disciples Of The Watch’.

Priestfest

Judas Priest are making a return to Belfast's Odyssey Arena in February, touching down with their Priestfest, that will see them joined by Megadeth and Testament.

Tickets for the 11th February gig go on sale on Monday.