Today in 1990 Testament released the album Souls of Black Oakland, California Thrash Metal Status:Active Years active: 1983-1986 (as Legacy), 1986-present Testament was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980s. 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(and was later run over by a bus). 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 Hollands Dynamo Festival, The New Order in 1988 was well received producing one of the bands 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 Testaments 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. The Formation of Damnation is the confirmed title for Testaments ninth studio album, which will be released on April 29, 2008. It is going to be the first album that Testament has released since 1999s The Gathering, although the band re-recorded some of their early material for 2001s First Strike Still Deadly. This will also be Testaments first release with original guitarist Alex Skolnick since 1992s The Ritual and bassist Greg Christian since 1994s Low. Chuck Billy has since fully recovered. A busy touring schedule of the U.S. and Europe commenced in late 2002, through the summer of 2003. In 2004, guitarist Steve Smyth left the band to join Nevermore, and Metal Mike Chlasciak stepped in. Atlantic Records Chuck Billy - vocals Alex Skolnick - lead guitar Eric Peterson - rhythm guitar Greg Christian - bass Louie Clemente - drums Additional backing vocals by Mark Walters, Steve Quartarola and Bogdan Jablonski 1. Beginning of the End (0:35) 2. Face in the Sky (3:53) 3. Falling Fast (4:05) 4. Souls of Black (3:22) 5. Absence of Light (3:54) 6. Love to Hate (3:40) 7. Malpractice (4:43) 8. One Mans Fate (4:49) 9. The Legacy (5:30) 10. Seven Days of May (4:40) Total Time: 39:16 Produced by Michael Rosen and Testament at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California. Track 1 by Peterson. Tracks 2, 5, 7, 10 by Billy , Peterson , Skolnick. Tracks 3, 8 by Billy , Peterson, Clemente. Tracks 4, 6, 9 by Billy, Peterson, Skolnick, Clemente. Music videos were made for Souls of Black and The Legacy. Souls of Black is the fourth album by American thrash metal band Testament, released in 1990. It preceded several changes in style to rather diverse styles of metal, including the traditional heavy metal sound heard in its succeeding album, The Ritual. In order to promote Souls of Black, Testament supported Megadeth, Slayer and Suicidal Tendencies in Europe on the Clash of the Titans tour. youtube/watch?v=Qj6hNjHYyGA
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 22:11:37 +0000
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