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Testament

Live in London (2005)
Eagle Vision

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Tom Toth
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on January 8th 2006

Bay area thrash legends Testament return with their fourth live album, recorded during their recent tour of Europe in the summer of 2005. The band, plagued by lineup changes and personal problems (lead singer Chuck Billy underwent successful cancer treatment recently), brought out their original lineup from 1987-1992 for the tour, featuring axe-master Alex Skolnick and drummer Louis Clemente. The music on the DVD features songs exclusively from this era.

Testament became famous in the late `80s for their uptempo, headbang-inducing riffage, frequently peppered with Skolnick's melodic leads and pinch harmonics. While they never reached the popularity of fellow thrashers Slayer and Anthrax, they continue to retain a solid fanbase. The band is in fine form on stage, rumbling through 14 tracks, including the metal classics "Practice What You Preach," "Into the Pit," and personal favourite "Electric Crown" off The Ritual. The rhythm section is ultra tight, while Skolnick, who spent the last 13 years playing in a jazz trio and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, rips through solos with ridiculous ease. Jazz is great and all, but you can't beat playing 32nd notes at a 150 beats-a-minute for sheer guitar-wanking pleasure. He does look out of place amongst the metalheads with his short hair and clean looks. It is still strange to see a bunch of guys in their late 30s playing such punishingly heavy music, and having a great time doing it. Makes you wonder about that big Bay-area former metal band, doesn't it?

The DVD itself is one of the nicest-looking concert videos I've ever seen recorded, with picture quality rivaling most major productions. It was shot in wide-screen format, so if you don't have a big screen TV (you silly person!), expect black bars at the top and bottom. For the sound, the user has a choice between Dolby Digital and DTS, and as (nearly) always, I would recommend DTS. It has more defined, deeper bass, and better instrument separation. The Dolby mix does have a better surround mix going for it, though, so the choice is yours. The only extra included is an interview with the band, where the band discusses how the reunion came to be, and Billy's battle with cancer. A short biography or introduction would have been nice for those less familiar with the band. That complaint aside, this disc is a solid release from Testament. Highly recommended for thrash fans.

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notfeelingcreative (January 12, 2006)

"Master of Puppets has nothing on Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?"

Agreed!

sallyjesse (January 12, 2006)

sorry, the four stars were for the cover of Accept's "balls to the wall" album.

sallyjesse (January 12, 2006)

everyone posting on this review better be listening to At the Gates right now, or its curtains for all of you.

helloween "walls of jericho". try that instead of testament.

Anonymous (January 11, 2006)

I can't believe anyone would think that... Master of Puppets sounds like overproduced Discharge clones plodding away and trying to turn it into mainstream metal. Reign in Blood sounds like a hole is being torn in the fabric of time and Satan's minions are pouring forth, devouring your middle class suburb in a crimson orgy.

-Will

rkl (January 11, 2006)

Master of Puppets has nothing on Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?

just kidding. but megadeth doesnt get enough respect when it comes to 80s thrash, mustaine had some genius lyrics.

notfeelingcreative (January 10, 2006)

"Reign in Blood has nothing on Master of Puppets."

I love both records, both have been in my collection since I was like thirteen, but I must say that "Master of The Puppets" and "Ride The Lightining" got more spins from me than did "Reign in Blood" or "Seasons in THe Abyss", however Tori Amos never covered "Master of Puppets", tough call!

sickboi (January 10, 2006)

"Reign in Blood has nothing on Master of Puppets."

Truth.

SlackMFr (January 10, 2006)

Is "The New Order" still available? That album was awesome!

sirens (January 9, 2006)

Reign in Blood has nothing on Master of Puppets.

Anonymous (January 9, 2006)

Chuck's been cancer-free for a few years now.

Anonymous (January 9, 2006)

Chuck's been cancer-free for a few years now.

Anonymous (January 9, 2006)

The new Testament comic by Douglas Rushkoff is pretty sweet.

notfeelingcreative (January 9, 2006)

Yeah, I agree with everyone, Testament was that band that you sat throught o see slayer or anthrax, never disliked them, but I wasn't crazy about them either, of the second-rate speed metal bands, I always preferred overkill for some reason!

hobojew (January 8, 2006)

I support the thrash love.

branden (January 8, 2006)

i saw sacred reich on beavis and butthead once

its funny how the videos on that show are actually decent

at_the_drive_in_21 (January 8, 2006)

>>Ahhh, old-school thrash. Anyone still remember Sacred Reich?

I do. The first time I saw someone wearing one of their shirts, I thought it read "Sacred Belch" because of the metal font.

Anonymous (January 8, 2006)

I prefer my Thrash with the core intact.

Anonymous (January 8, 2006)

I remember seeing these guys on Headbanger's Ball once, they were funny. Sadly, there weren't trying to be.

Anonymous (January 8, 2006)

Kill'em All has nothing on Reign in Blood.

-Will

danperrone (January 8, 2006)

old-school metallica is better

yep

Nick_V (January 8, 2006)

Ahhh, old-school thrash. Anyone still remember Sacred Reich?

sprainedsoul (January 8, 2006)

Back when I used to see every Metal band that came through town, Testament was the "cool opener" for something infinitely more Rocking (like Slayer). 35 minutes was always Just Enough. I'm glad Chuck's doing better, though.

AlmostPunkEnough (January 8, 2006)

Will, i completely and utterly agree with you. in fact, that's what i usually remark to myself. "yup, this sure is Testament". Exodus is infinitley better than these guys too.

Anonymous (January 8, 2006)

Poodle thrash. There's a reason no one liked them as much as Slayer. Listening to Slayer makes you want to smash skulls. Testament is just like, "oh, it's Testament."

-Will

Anonymous (January 8, 2006)

A Testament review on punknews.org, that's awesome!

Anonymous (January 8, 2006)

I agree. Testament should be more popular.