Testament

The history of the Testament is long and complicated. It all started with the formation of Legacy in 1983 in the famous Bay Area Thrash in San Francisco, then at the tip of the Extreme Metal. Legacy is founded by guitarists Eric Peterson and Derrick Ramirez. The two peers recruited Greg Christian on bass, Mike Ronchette on drums and Steve Souza on singing. But very soon Ramirez was replaced by the young Alex Skolnick, prodigal student of Joe Satriani. Legacy then released a four-title eponymous before seeing Ronchette's departure, then Souza's departure for Exodus. They were replaced respectively by Louis Clemente and Chuck Billy. It was during the recording of their first album that Legacy became Testament, another band already bearing that name. Du coup Testament called his album The Legacy , and it was born in 1987. Testament has a start in band since the band is quickly compared to Metallica, and supports Anthrax after the release of Among the Living. This during this tour that the quintet recorded the EP Live at Eindhoven .
The following year Testament released The New Order, in the same vein as their first effort. In 1989 the combo abandoned its Gothic themes to tackle politics and corruption with Pratice What You Preach , which is considered their reference album. Despite its undeniable quality Souls of Black sold badly in 1990. To stick to the success of Grunge and pick up some fans, Testament released a more Heavy album in 1992, The Ritual . But nothing does, Testament no longer sells and it all starts to spin.
Alex Skolnick was the first to leave the ship, for Savatage, frustrated to be restricted after the exit of The Ritual. Shortly after Louis Clemente decided to leave the band in turn and stop the music altogether. They were replaced by the two Forbidden Glen Avelais and Paul Bostoph, with whom the EP Return to Apocalyptic City was recorded. But just after Avelais left the band and Bostaph joined Slayer to replace Lombardo. James Murphy (Death , Obituary ...) and John Tempesta (Exodus ) took their place.
After these changes of line-up Testament recorded Low in 1994, album resuming the band's debut but which did not convince fans of the first hour. A year later Testament saw three new beginnings: Christian, Tempesta and Murphy.
In 1997 Testament tried Death Metal on Demonic with Peterson in rhythm and soli, Ramirez back to record bass, and drummer Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel, Death, Strapping Young Lad ...). On this album Billy's song has absolutely nothing to do with what he had done before.
The Gathering's 1999 Testament Line-up features "All Star Band" with the return of James Murphy to guitar, the amazing Steve Di Giogio (Death , Sadus ...) to bass, and the famous Dave Lombardo (Slayer , Grip Inc. ). With such a world the album could only be excellent, and it was logical that The Gathering gave everyone an agreement on Testament, which was also returning to Thrash.
Shortly after James Murphy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, almost at the same time as his friend Chuck Schuldiner (leader of Death), but unlike the latter (R.i.P), James Murphy escaped. Destiny is hard on Testament since in 2001 Chuck Billy learns that he is suffering from testicular cancer. Despite this, he recorded First Stike Stills Deadly, a compilation of titles released on the first two albums. On this record Murphy and Lombardo gave way to Skolnick and Tempesta.
Billy was completely restored in 2003 and Testament began a tour, after recruiting Steve Smyth and Jon Allen (Sadus) to hold the drums. But the following year he left the band, and Paul Bostaph was back. Ex-Halford (Judas Priest) Mike Chlasciak replaced Smyth at Nevermore.
Last change in date, in 2005 Testament returned to its 1987-1992 line-up for a "10 Days in May Tour" tour, while keeping Tempesta, who shared the drums with Louis Clemente. It is with this same line-up that the next album of the band is expected, normally scheduled for 2007.