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Testament was one of the first thrash metal bands 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 |
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Testament was one of the first thrash metal bands 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 wunderkind Alex Skolnick (lead guitar). Souza soon departed to join Exodus and suggested that the towering Chuck Billy take over as frontman. The band became known as 'Testament' 3 years later, while recording their debut album in Ithaca, New York.
"The Legacy" was a brutal intro 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" in 1988 was well received producing one of the band's most memorable classics "Disciples Of The Watch". Next came the highly successful "Practice What You Preach" in 1989, then the release of "Souls Of Black" in 1990, coinciding with the European 'Clash Of The Titans' tour with Slayer, Megadeth and Suicidal Tendencies.
After "The Ritual" in 1992, Skolnick, who was losing interest in pure metal, decided to pursue his interest in jazz and left the band. Clemente also departed. "Return To Apocalyptic City" in 1993 brought Glen Alvelais (guitar, ex- Forbidden) into the fold, and filling in temporarily for Clemente, Paul Bostaph (ex- Forbidden, Slayer). James Murphy (ex- Death, Obituary, Disincarnate, Cancer) soon stepped in for Alvelais on lead duties for "Low" in 1994, as John Tempesta (ex- Exodus) took over on the drums. Tempesta later left to join White Zombie, and was replaced by John Dette (ex- Evil Dead ). "Live At The Fillmore" was released in 1995, then Dette left in 1996 to join Slayer. "The Best Of Testament" was released in 1996.
"Demonic", which was recorded in Testament's Driftwood Studios, was released in 1997. James Murphy and Greg Christian having left the band were replaced by alumni Glen Alvelais and Derrick Ramirez (bass). Gene Hoglan (drums, ex- Death, Dark Angel) lent his percussion talents. "Signs Of Chaos", a 'best of' disc of the band, was released in 1997.
Dave Lombardo (ex- Slayer, Grip, Inc.) was officially introduced into the band. James Murphy was brought back once again, and on bass, the legendary Steve DiGiorgio (ex- Death, Control Denied, Sadus). "The Gathering" was born in 1999. James Murphy abruptly departed, which was determined later for reasons due to a serious illness. Steve Smyth (ex- Vicious Rumors) jumped aboard as 'touring guitarist', later to be invited to stay on as a permanent member. Lombardo soon also left, not being able to commit, having other projects on his plate. In 2000, Jon Allen (drums, ex- Sadus) joined the band.
After the successful "Riding The Snake" world tour to promote "The Gathering", vocalist Billy was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called 'germ cell seminoma' in March 2001. Despite his illness and grueling cancer treatments, Billy offered his ground shaking vocals to the re-recording of Testament classics on "First Strike Still Deadly" with a reunion of sorts, bringing back Alex Skolnick and John Tempesta to record on the disc.
In 2002, Billy has since been recovering well, and with the permanent new Testament line-up of Billy, Peterson, DiGiorgio, Smyth and Allen, the fans look forward to the next release of the band, stronger than ever.
Source: http://www.testamentlegions.com/index2.htm |
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Discussion Topic
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Creator
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Return To The Apocalyptic City
(1993 MCD)
1. Over the Wall (live)
I've been a prisoner
Trapped in by fear
Ordered for the rest of my life
Condemned in a jail cell
Ain't seen life in years
Escape is the only way out
Restart my life or self destruction
To climb this wall of dark construction
Holding the quest for freedom
That beckons me
My sanity is all but gone
My patience is growing very weak
I need to get a hold of myself
I stare at the wall
For the right time has come
Escape must occur on this night
Restart my life or self destruction
To climb this wall of dark construction
Holding the quest for freedom
That beckons me
Stand in my way
And I'll run you straight through
There's no one to stop me now
For I'm on the loose
And I'm ready to start
Torture and Hell on this town
Over The Wall !
The search will not stop
And the hounds will not rest
Till I am back in my cell
For if I am caught
I will try it again
Over the wall I will go ...
I will go !
Go !
Restart my life or self destruction
To climb this wall of dark construction
Holding the quest for freedom
That beckons me
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riff_master |
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Replys
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Listener
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2. So Many Lies (live)
I didn't mean to offend you
But you were way out of line
And I can't help the way I feel
Who sad I feel fine ?
I'll only give you one warning
Then you must realize
The day of judgement is closing in
Your selfish ways bring your demise
He who lies
Evil pays
Who are you ?
Who made you anyway ?
Wrong or right
Who's to say
I wanna know
Who made you God today
Slave to the ways of the system
Soon to be crucified
I've seen into your darkest fears
The ones you cannot hide
I know where you go when
Your fears start showing
You run
You cannot hide
Will they respect you when
You ask of the world
"Forgive me for so many lies"
?
Is there a need to pretend
To be a man, so divine
And even if I offended you
My truth you can't deny
I know where you go when
Your fears start showing
You run
You cannot hide
Will they respect you when
You ask of the world
"Forgive me for so many lies" ? | riff_master |
3. The Haunting (live)
Hear the screams, screams of fright
Shrieks of terror through the night
Souls of old band to hold
The meeting for the haunting night
Headless ghosts fill the halls
Shadow plays of grief and pain
Phantom speaks his final note
Tenants of the castle slain
Black cats will appear
As the witching hour nears
Lost souls will all be told
For a haunting we will go
See their dreams come to life
Under pressure holding tight
Feel the cold grabbing hold
To feed you on the haunting night
Evil witch, black as pitch
Starts a fire with a flinch
Burning fire rising higher
Making music like a choir
Children of the night
They're howling at black skies
The ruthless calls within
For the haunting now begins
Stay away from the shining light
Can't seem to find the answers there
Bring back the terror in the night
That we all share tonight
Hear the screams, screams of fright
Shrieks of terror through the night
Souls of old band to hold
The meeting for the haunting night
Headless ghosts fill the halls
Shadow plays of grief and pain
Phantom speaks his final note
Tenants of the castle slain
Black cats will appear
As the witching hour nears
Lost souls will all be told
For a haunting we will go | riff_master |
4. Disciples Of The Watch (live)
Cast to the fire
Banned by the light
Worship and listen to me
Condemned in his mind
In his evil place
Your fate is all that you'll see
I am the one
To show you the path
Salvation is in the fields
Listen up children and follow me
Or I'll let you pay the price
Of Malachi!
Disciples of the watch
OBEY!
Or I'll burn you to that cross!
Holding the mass
The demon is cast
To resurrect your soul
Calling to him
Is like an evil sin
A prophet is what they're told
Taking the land under command
Killing friend or fore
Feel the might of his evil wrath
Desecrate your soul!
Disciples of the watch
OBEY!
Or I'll burn you to that cross!
Cast to the fire
Banned by the light
Worship and listen to me
Condemned in his mind
In his evil place
Your fate is all that you'll see
For I am the one
To show you the path
Salvation is in the fields
Listen up children and follow me
Or I'll let you pay the price
Of Malachi!
Disciples of the watch
OBEY!
Or I'll burn you to that cross! | riff_master |
5. Reign Of Terror
Marching our way through the crypts of the
dead
Taking his land by command
Killing our victims and taking no slaves
Hitler's final third reich
Engines are roaring the warheads ablast
The destroyer claims their fate
Hells legions armies
They march to defy
Lucifer takes his wait
Obeying this task by our leaders will
Death camps have taken their toll
The cold winds of winter are present forever
Destroyers claim their fate
Fighting our way through the mist of the
night
Taking the life from young souls
Marching our armies prepared to fight
The cities all laid destroyed
Machineguns are firing the tanks are ablast
Bombing our way through hell
Generals smiling destruction strikes
Our armies have done well
Obeying this task by our leaders will
Death camps have taken their toll
The cold winds of winter are present forever
Destoyers claim their fate
Though the dead have trapped us in
We'll break the pact a deadly whim
Faisoned hammers wielded straight
Cursing us back to hell's gates
Black magic force thats taken it's course
The world lives in fear
The death calls are near
Awaiting this task battle at last
The worlds left to defy
Now's the time for you to die
Marching our way through the crypts of the
dead
Taking his land by command
Killing our victims and taking no slaves
Hitler's final third reich
Engines are roaring the warheads ablast
The destroyer claims their fate
Hells legions armies
They march to defy
Lucifer takes his wait
Obeying this task by our leaders will
Death camps have taken their toll
The cold winds of winter are present forever
Destoyers claim their fate | riff_master |
6. Return To Serenity (new version)
I'm gonna take you
To a place far from here
No one will see us
Watch the pain as it disappears
No time for anger
No time for despair
Won't you come with me
There's room for us there
This innocent beauty
My words can't describe
This rebirth to purity
Brings a sullen tear right to your eyes
No time for anger
No time for despair
Please let me take you
'Cause I'm already there
I'm so alone
My head's my home
I'll return to serenity
Rhyme without reason
Is why children cry
They see through the system
That's breeding them just so they die
So please let me take you
And I'll show you the truth
Inside my reality
We shared in my youth
I'm so alone
My head's my home
And I feel
So alone
You know
At last
I return to serenity
Now that I've taken you
To a place far from here
I really must go back
Close your eyes and we'll disappear
Won't you come with me
Salvation we'll share
Inside of my head now
There's room for us there | riff_master | enough of that crap listen to the GREATEST
BAND IN THE WORLD
they are the one and only dover trench
they are very metal and even though they are
local they are the most awesome
they are my dads band though but just have a
listen to one of the yellow or underlined
songs and youll know what i mean. tell me
what you think | DEATH_to_SIMPLE_PLAN | | http://conduit666.20m.com/dt.htm | DEATH_to_SIMPLE_PLAN | Tesament is awesome. My favorite album is
The Legacy | sLaYtAnIc | Testament is awesome. My favorite album is
The Legacy | sLaYtAnIc | | | |
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