Welcome to my new "Slays" series. First up..Testament! - Check out all my lesson vids at: www.the-art-of-... Facebook: / fansoftheartofguitar / theartofguitar Patreon: / theartofguitar Thanks!!!
I have loved testament for over 30 years now. Skolnick has always been one of my favorite guitar players as well. Thanks for shining a light on them. They don’t get the recognition they deserve.
An extremely underated band! A Big 5, Exodus? I did see them in the late 80's at Lost Horizons, small club in Syracuse, NY. I think Testament played 2 or 3 times there. I grew up in Ithaca, NY, where Anthrax recorded their 2nd(?) Album, along with the amazing S.O.D. album. We were young metalheads when Pyramid Sound, w/producer Alex Perialis became known. I think Testament was one of the next bands to record there, and we didn't know of them, but they were super cool guys and told us they were making an album at Pyramid Sound. They looked cool, but we hadn't heard them until the album was released. This was around 87'-88'(getting old now, lol). We put the album on and were blown away! These guys were super heavy, extremely tight, and very original. We finally saw them at Lost Horizons and if anyone wasn't a fan coming in, they sure were after the show! Extremely intregent with great songs that never sounded similar, and really opened up the landscape of heavy music. I don't remember not loving every tune. And they've built a heck of a catalog since! If there was a Big 5, I can't imagine anyone but Testament even being considered! Right away, they were a great band. And all were great players! Certified Legends Now! Timeless tunes always.👍
Being an old metal head I hate to admit I skipped over Testament. It wasn't until many years later when The Gathering came out that I started listening to them because of Dave Lombardo being on the album, and having been a huge slayer fan up till Seasons in the Abyss I wanted to hear what my favorite drummer was up to. It's amazing that after almost 40 years Testament is still heavy AF.
Yeah for some strange reason I never got into them growing up! I really need to get into them, what would you suggest I first listen to? And you said Lombardo was on one of the album's?? He's one of my favorite drummers ever... so I definitely need to check out the Gathering album you mentioned 👍
Yeah. I expected testament to be on the top 4. They literally kept their sound and vibe and everything since the beginning. Alex is also one of my favorite players since his solos are so noticable. His use of scales and stuff are crazy along with his speed. My favorite album would definitely be the Gathering, but souls, and practice I don't even know what to choose. Their performances are also so good. Haven't been to one but just looking at their performances on RU-vid make then a top 5 must attend concert list. It's also amazing to to know how they released albums the next year after while still having killer riffs. It's just amazing what a good band can do.
I love Testament but they did change their sound. They tried Death Metal vocals. And they never got criticism for their ballads like Metallica did. I love their ballads by the way.
@@RectifyTheParadigm yeah, it is a tough call between Anthrax and Testament for the big four, but personally I would choose Anthrax on the basis that they have a different flavour to the other three. I think the big four are all significantly differently to each other, but have all the vital components of thrash. I love Testament, though.
I saw them in 1997 at The Rave, that is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was a great show! The sound there is obnoxious! The venue’s sound man hadn’t figured out how to balance it out well by then. If ever? But it is a great venue to go get your metal fix.
Had a GIANT “Practice what you Preach” poster on the ceiling over my (water)bed back in 1990! It was the store display I made at the used record store where I worked here in NorCal. Testament is a SF Bay Area treasure!🍻🤘
I am so happy to see this video. To this day I listen to Testament while I’m working out. 1000x better than any energy drink out there. Listening to them at high volumes causes extreme increases in strength and sudden surges of raw power and energy. Must be used responsibly🤟💪
🤘🏻🔥 Testament does indeed slay! Awesome video! Have really enjoyed getting to know their music this past year and a bit. A little while ago I got a CD box set of their first 5 albums. I decided to start with Practice What You Preach like you did, I've gotta say I was NOT disappointed. I do agree that the logo looked better in it's original format, loved the font, and it is pretty cool that the 2 T's frame the whole thing with the symmetrical A in the middle, I love stuff like that. Need to pick up their later albums now.
I saw Testament in Philadelphia, and they were incredibly talented and unbelievably loud. I was so happy I got to see them and was so close to the band. I got into them based on The Ballad video and my friend who wore Testament shirts in school.
Devin James' Souls of black drum video introduced me to Testament the other day and now I am on a massive Testament kick. Love their entire discography! This is a great video and I completely agree!
Started listening to Testament in 6th or 7th grade back in the late 80's. Always one of my favorites and SOOOOOO underrated. My son just turned 14, has been playing guitar 8-10 months and we're hoping to go see Testament down in Boston in May (we're in Northern Maine). Ive never seen them and would love to take him.
Their 2016 album “Brotherhood of the Snake” may be my favorite of theirs. Songs like the title track and The Pale King rip so hard, and Stronghold has one of my favorite solos ever written. Badass band!
I’ve seen testament live more than any other band. Saw them as openers for megadeth and slayer in ‘90-‘91 where they were extremely well-received by the crowd. I also saw them in '95, playing to an almost empty Eagle’s Ballroom in Milwaukee. That show was just a couple of days after the Milwaukee metalfest. They didn’t care. They played a full set for the 20-30 guys there. James Murphy was the lead guitar player. Last time I was them was in Yokohama, Japan during the Dark Roots tour where they headlined Trash Domination 2013. Incredibly good performance.
Saw Testament w Skolnick back in 2015. I'm a big fan of the New Order album, and was lucky that that night they chose to play songs The New Order, Trial By Fire and A Day Of Reckoning. Day Of Reckoning is probably my favorite thrash song by them, and their Trial By Fire video on the Headbangers Ball is what turned me onto them. Thanks for making mention of Musical Death - A Dirge. Its my favorite song by them overall. The chrord progressions are beautiful and haunting. BTW, the guitar solo in Musical Death that starts w octaves is a rare one by Peterson and its one of my favorite solos ever - that brief use of harmonized guutars in it is so great
Alex is a hero of mine as well. I was fortunate to see Testament several times in the clubs and theaters in Boston in the early 90's before Alex left the band. They always put on a great show. I got to meet Alex at a TSO meet and greet in the early 00's. Such a kind down to earth guy. I'm curious if you ever got into Savatage and if so, it would be great to see a video similar to this one on that band.
never listened to testament until about a couple months ago and now they are the only band i have been listening to. Been trying to learn some of their songs which has been lots of fun.
Like yourself i loved alex's playing in testament & james murphy brought a heavier element to the band. I learnt guitar by tab books, slowing down tapes, c.d & 1000's of guitar magazines. Loved alexs little column in guitar for the practicing musican guitar magazine over the years. After we managed to get the internet here in ireland i eventually googled alexs name cause i was curious what he did after leaving testament. Discovered he went and studyied a jazz degree at the new school in new york. It also said he was in a new trio doing jazz covers of classic rock tunes. It also mentioned he was teaching guitar at the jazz school. I rang them up & asked was alex still teaching there. They said he was. I booked 2 hour lessons over 5 days & he was so helpful with my own playing & studying of the instrument. That was about 15 years ago. He mentioned several books to get as i asked who inspired his playing etc. I went & bought every book on his list & been learning from them for years. He also gave me a listen to his first skolnick trio album he had just recorded, it hadn't gone on public sale yet. I loved it. Obviously bought the rest over the years. Many years later i went to see testament in Barcelona in spain years ago. What a gig it was & he was just back in the band. Got to meet the whole band afterwards & dranks a few nice beers & shared some cigars in the pub too. Well before smoking bans. Met chucks wife tiffany she was awesome & so organised with managing the guys. Years later seen them back in ireland several times. Alex wrote the riff to souls of black & had to teach it to the bass player. Alex loved van halen, randy roads & al de meola as some early influences. He loves using melodic minor scale & its modes for soloing. His biography was a great read for any fan of his playing & highly recommend reading it. Alex has courses in jazz soloing recorded on video that you can purchase through the rock house method & i think some of its leaked onto youtube also. I remember introducing him to rodrigo & Gabrielle as they were mixing rock & metal with flemenca style of acoustic guitars. He hadn't heard of them back then. They lived in my home town sligo for a while before they became popular. Many years later alex went on to record with them which i wow how awesome. Hope this helps your viewers also with some more background info on alex. If anyone wants the list of books i can edit this comment in future & add the books to the coment. Currently in work on nights and not near my library to write them down for everyone.
Dang gone skippy! Testament is exactly what you said! What a great band to grow up with! Thank you for giving them the credit they deserve! And...Thank You Testament!!!
I saw them in 2009 with Unearth at The Rock in Maplewood, amazing show! Got to meet Chuck afterward and he was fantastic, took a picture with us and anybody else that asked for one (Alex was surrounded by ladies so we didn't bother him).
I got to meet Alex Skolnick at The Mirage after the show he played with Savatage on their Handful of Rain tour. Nice guy. I saw Testament play at First Avenue on their Dark Roots of the Earth tour. They are incredible live. Very crushing.
All right. Im gonna be real. Being only 20, I only grew up with the big 4 of thrash. Then, reaching high school. I discovered exodus and testament and blew my mind. Testament didn't really grow on me until I watched this. I listened to their early stuff and immediately fell in love. Then, after finishing the gathering, I decided to go to their most recent stuff and HOLY FUCK! This is thrash. These guys are who I aspire to be when ever I decide to form a band. Thank you for getting me into arguably the best thrash band ever :)
I’ve seen them a bunch of times, as soon as Chuck came back from cancer. I saw them before Formation. Then I saw them at least twice on Dark Roots and once opening on Slayer’s final tour for Brotherhood of the Snake!
Heard Testament and the song Burnt Offerings for the first time in early 1987 on a European compilation LP called Time To Rock. It was really a game changer. The album also included songs from other unknown bands at the time. Like Malice, Tesla, Faster Pussycats and a by a band, whose song never caught my attention, Guns 'n' Roses, lol. Been a fan ever since and have all of their studio albums. Never released a weak album IMO. Hard to pick any definitive favorite, but over the years I have prolly listened most to Low and Dark Roots Of Earth. I also love the work of Skolnick on the underrated and overlooked Savatage album Handful Of Rain.
Probably the best collection of lead guitar solos may be on 'The Ritual', so well constructed, fast but memorable, logical not just frantic finger-breaking soloing. At least 6 tracks [2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11] have such diamond solos...perfect.
Mike didn't mention The Gathering, but if you're into thrash metal with extreme elements, listen to it ASAP. Look up "DNR." It came out in 1999 but still sounds incredibly fresh. The production is amazing, the musicianship is off the charts, and so many of the songs are classics. I think it's easily Testament's best album, and it came like halfway through their career. Not many bands can pull that off.
Saw Testament and Anthrax together in 2018. Small club..so loud! I was in heaven. Love your channel,btw man! Lots of fun,killer music, and solid playing tips.
Testament have been one of my favorite bands for over 30 years. I’ve seen them live several times since the early 90s and I actually have tickets to see them with Exodus and Death Angel later this year. Their entire discography is stellar. If I had to choose a favorite, it’s a toss up between Souls Of Black and Low. I, of course, love all their classic albums but, I do have to say I appreciated them more when they went heavier and flirted with a Death Metal style starting on Low. I’ve just always liked my Metal really extreme. I actually got to meet the band in 1999 on their tour for the album The Gathering. I was on their street team and worked my butt off to promote their show in Albuquerque. The show actually sold out, which was great because the two times they’d come before, in ‘96 and ‘97, there was only a handful of people there. They sent me backstage passes to hang with them after the show, which I did. I always thought that was very cool of them. Both Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson were very friendly and appreciative for the sold out show. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish. Their latest album, Titans of Creation is very good. They’re one band that has yet to disappoint.
Seen them 4 times, they killed it every time. And yeah, they're the band that inspired me to start wearing ear plugs, a feat even Slayer hadn't accomplished. The Chuck Billy and Alex Skolnick guitar picks are truly prized trophies.
Great video very informative. I wish I could understand what some of these types of bands were singing/ shouting about. Many talented musicians in our world. A flavour for everyone. 💜🎶
Yes! Great choice to start the series! I'll never forget seeing the video for "Trial By Fire" as a kid...hearing Sckolnick's opening sweep and licks blew my brain apart. In those days, sweeping was like magic. There really wasn't any way to learn how to do it unless you knew someone that could teach you.
I saw them during The formation tour and my eyes were smiling. The sound these guys have is incredible. Its powerful. I was right next to one of the speakers in the Mtelus in montreal. I was blown away. Chuck is a live wire on stage.
First of all, I’ve been living your channel for a long time... amazing musician and super entertaining!! Second of all, TESTAMENT takes it. Super consistent, amazing songs, leads, drums, bass vocals. Every a album. Amazing. I got to see them with slayer and megadeth No question testament stole the show. My first intro to Testament , which changed my life, my brother had The Legacy on casette. I dedicated myself to learn every lyric. Especially alone in the dark and raging waters. All the best from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia!!!!!
Great video! Testament is my favorite Thrash Metal band ever! Personally I prefer the heavier and faster albums. They do fantastic live shows and when Chuck growls, your internal organs vibrate. It's such an experience!🤘
I've always loved Testament since I was introduced to them after the release of Practice What You Preach. I went to see them live during that tour and it was incredible. So under-rated. Still kicking ass to this day.
So great you started with testament. One of my favorite’s and they still put out great songs And albums. My first cd of theirs was the gathering and i was instantly hooked. The old stuff And the new stuff is great. Saw them live back in 2008 when Alex came back in Chicago front row And it was incredible. Their live in London dvd really captures them well.
I am getting my black t-shirt printed Testament The Ritual cover next week! It's a good idea! :). Very nice informative video, and playings also from you, thanks!
The most criminally underrated band ever. I've been a fan for 25 years now, and every time I listen to them I just get goosebumps. The ritual album was an album that made my childhood better listening to it on my walkman!
By accident Watsched this video from you, and asked myself well maybe they are more episodes of that series… and than I realized it’s your latest upload 😂😂💪 ….really enjoyed this kind of Video keep on
This was a really well done video, I enjoyed watching it and remembering my own experience in discovering this band. It was all highly relatable for those of us who grew up with this music in the 80's and early 90's
Cheesy, but when I finally got to see Testament live when Slayer was headlining, Chuck Billy pointed out my friend and I and it was an awesome thing to be noticed by him. He tried throwing us a guitar pick but a fan blew it away lol.
One of my fav thrash bands of all time. First 3 albums are untouchable in my opinion. Can’t pick a fav. Saw them live in a club in FL on the Practice tour, hung out in the back and met the guys and got my Practice cassette signed. Friendly guys and great intimate show where we were against the stage. If I remember correctly Wrath Child America was their touring mates.
Around 10 years ago, i grabbed Alex Skolnick's signature pick during the concert in Istanbul, I'm still keeping it in a special case. He is one of the best musicians ever... and yes, they should have been in Big Four instead of Anthrax
I love this video! My first Testament song was Souls of Black and I was instantly hooked. It was a combo of Testament and Death Angel that gave me a love for metal ballads. I never got to see them live unfortunately, but they are still touring so there is still hope. If only their upcoming tour with Exodus and Death Angel would take a Canadian detour! lol
