Tag: Testament
1 New Video – Testament – Native Blood
Testament has released a new video “Native Blood” from their recently released album Dark Roots of the Earth.
The deluxe edition of Dark Roots of the Earth, with a bonus DVD, and extra tracks is available for purchase at Amazon.com at this link.
Check it out!
0 New Releases for Tuesday July 31st
It is a very cool release day in the world of hard rock & metal. There are several releases which are hitting stores today:
Testament – Dark Roots of the Earth
Jackyl – Best In Show
Pat Travers – Blues on Fire
Charm City Devils – Sins
Tankard – A Girl Called Cerveza
Crucified Barbara – Midnight Chase
Attika 7 – Blood of My Enemies
Toadies – Play.Rock.Music
So what is on your pick up list today?
0 Check Out The New Testament Track “Native Blood”
Nuclear Blast USA has made another track from Testament’s up and coming album Dark Roots of the Earth available for streaming. Check out the track “Native Blood” at this link! You will be glad you did!
0 Testament streaming new track “True American Hate” + New tour-dates announced
TESTAMENT STREAMING NEW TRACK “TRUE AMERICAN HATE,” ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN TOUR-DATES
10th studio album “Dark Roots Of Earth” out July 31st on Nuclear Blast Records
Bay Area thrash metal legend, Testament, has launched a stream of the new track, “True American Hate,” via Nuclear Blast’s website: http://bit.ly/tdroelp, along with several Dark Roots Of Earth pre-order options. “True American Hate” is the first track to surface from the band’s highly anticipated 10th studio album, Dark Roots Of Earth – its first release in over four years following 2008’s critically acclaimed, The Formation Of Damnation.
Dark Roots Of Earth is due out on July 31st in North America via Nuclear Blast Records.
The CD was produced, mixed and mastered by acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (Arch Enemy, Nevermore, Accept, Exodus). Special bonus tracks were recorded, mixed and mastered by Juan Urteaga (Machine Head,Exodus, Ted Nugent, Night Ranger) at his Trident Studios. Eliran Kantor, who has previously worked with Atheist, Sigh, Anacrusis and Gwar, among others, provided the cover artwork.
Dark Roots Of Earth jewel case CD track listing is…
01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence
Dark Roots Of Earth CD/DVD track listing is…
01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence
Bonus:
10. Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11. Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12. Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)
13. Throne Of Thornes (extended version)
+ Bonus DVD
Dark Roots Of Earth vinyl track listing is…
Side A:
01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
Side B:
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
Side C:
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence
Side D (Bonus):
10. Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11. Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12. Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)
Testament recently wrapped up filming a music video for “Native Blood” with director, Mike Sloat. The song, whose lyrics are about vocalist Chuck Billy’s Native American heritage, was filmed at the Hopland Indian Reservation in Hopland, Calif. last weekend. Check out some behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151823567205332.866192.23598655331&type=1.
Testament has also revealed several co-headlining tour-dates with fellow American thrash metal greats, Anthrax, in support of the summer release. The September run will feature Death Angel in support, and is slated to kick off on Sept. 14thin Sacramento, Calif. A list of all confirmed dates can be seen below.
Stay tuned for more information on Testament and Dark Roots Of Earth.
Testament w/ Anthrax and Death Angel…
9/14 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
9/15 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
9/16 – Kennewick, WA @ Toyota Center (Kennewick)
9/17 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
9/20 – Vancouver, BC – CANADA @ Vogue Theater
9/21 – Calgary, AB – CANADA @ MacEwan Hall
9/22 – Edmonton, AB – CANADA @ Edmonton Event Centre
9/24 – Saskatoon, SK – CANADA @ Odeon Event Center
9/25 – Winnipeg, MB – CANADA @ Burton Cummings Theatre
9/29 – Toronto, ON – CANADA @ Danforth Music Hall
9/30 – Quebec City, QC – CANADA @ Capitole du Quebec
10/02 – Montreal, QC – CANADA @ Metropolis
10/03 – Portland, ME @ State Theater
10/05 – Montclair, NJ@ Wellmont Theatre
Testament is…
Chuck Billy – Vocals
Eric Peterson – Guitar
Alex Skolnick – Guitar
Greg Christian – Bass
Gene Hoglan – Drums
Testament online…
http://www.testamentlegions.com
http://www.facebook.com/testamentlegions
http://www.youtube.com/testamentofficial
http://www.twitter.com/testamentlegion
http://www.twitter.com/testamentband
http://web.stagram.com/n/alexskolnick/
http://www.myspace.com/testamentlegions
0 TESTAMENT: “Dark Roots of Earth” Album Artwork and Details Revealed!
Bay Area thrash titans, TESTAMENT, have revealed the cover art and details for their upcoming Dark Roots of Earth release! Artwork was painted by Eliran Kantor who has worked with such bands as SODOM, ATHEIST, SIGH. Dark Roots of Earth was produced, mixed and mastered once again by the world renowned Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE, ACCEPT, EXODUS). Special bonus tracks were recorded, mixed and mastered by Juan Urteaga (CATTLE DECAPITATION, HEATHEN, VILE, SADUS) at his Trident Studios. The highly anticipated follow up to their 2008 release The Formation of Damnation will be released on July 27, 2012 (Europe) and July 31, 2012 (North America) via Nuclear Blast Records.
Dark Roots of Earth Jewel Case CD Track Listing:
01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence
Dark Roots of Earth CD/DVD Track Listing:
01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence
Bonus:
10. Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11. Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12. Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)
13. Throne Of Thornes (extended version)
+ Bonus DVD
Dark Roots of Earth Vinyl Track Listing:
Side A:
01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
Side B:
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
Side C:
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence
SIDE D (Bonus):
10 Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11 Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12 Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)
0 Megadeth, Slayer, Testament Launch ‘American Carnage’ Tour
Megadeth, Slayer, and special guests Testament kick off the first leg of the “American Carnage” tour today (August 11) at the Glens Falls Civic Center in Glen Falls, New York with the 19-city trek wrapping up in Portland, Oregon on September 4. After a successful “Canadian Carnage” run in July, Megadeth will continue to roar through its landmark 1990 album “Rust In Peace” from front to back, while Slayer will rip the roof off by performing its much-lauded “Seasons In The Abyss” album, which was also released in 1990. The second leg of “American Carnage” will kick off on September 24 with special guests Anthrax. For all tour info, visit the Killing Road.
AMERICAN CARNAGE FIRST LEG
SLAYER ~ MEGADETH ~ TESTAMENT
August
12 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center
14 Lowell, MA Tsongas Arena
15 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Center
16 Wallingford, CT Oakdale Theatre
18 Cleveland, OH Tower City Amphitheater
19 Detroit, MI Joe Louis Arena
20 Chicago, IL UIC Pavilion
21 St Paul, MN Roy Wilkins Auditorium
23 Bonner Springs, KS Sandstone
25 Denver, CO Magness Arena
26 Albuquerque, NM Tingley Coliseum
27 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theatre
29 Chula Vista, CA Cricket Wireless
30 Long Beach, CA Long Beach Arena
31 San Francisco, CA Cow Palace
September
1 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena
3 Seattle, WA WaMu Theatre
4 Portland, OR Washington County Fairgrounds
AMERICAN CARNAGE SECOND LEG
SLAYER ~ MEGADETH ~ ANTHRAX
Date Location Venue
September
24 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Amph
25 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
26 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater
28 New Orleans, LA Lakefront Arena
30 Knoxville, TN Knoxville Civic Coliseum
October
1 Duluth, GA The Arena at Gwinnett Center
2 Orlando, FL Hard Rock Live
3 Miami, FL Bayfront Park Amphitheater
5 Hampton, VA Hampton Coliseum
6 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena
8 Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum
9 Scranton, PA Toyota Pavilion
10 Columbus, OH Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
12 Louisville, KY Broadbent Arena
14 Ft Wayne, IN War Memorial Coliseum
15 Grand Rapids, MI DeltaPlex
16 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Ballroom
19 Salt Lake City, UT E Center
20 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl
21 Hollywood, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
0 SLAYER, MEGADETH, TESTAMENT ANNOUNCE NEW DATES FOR THE “AMERICAN CARNAGE” NORTH AMERICAN TOUR Canadian Carnage East Leg Now Confirmed to Begin Late July
Slayer and Megadeth are thrilled to announce the new, confirmed routing for the American Carnage North American Tour, which will commence with the rescheduled Canadian Carnage East dates in Quebec City on Friday, July 23. Slayer will then head to Europe for a run of festival dates, returning to kick off the American Carnage leg in Albany, NY on August 11. American Carnage will play 26 dates across the United States and Eastern Canada up to the Labor Day weekend, ending in Portland, OR on September 4. Testament will be Special Guest on all shows. Tickets purchased for the American Carnage shows when they first went on sale late last year will be honored for these rescheduled dates. Complete information regarding ticket sales can be found at www.slayer.net • www.megadeth.com • www.testamentlegiions.com
The album was recorded in Los Angeles over two time periods, during October 2008 and then between late January and March 2009. World Painted Blood was produced by Greg Fidelman who has spent time in the studio with Metallica, the Gossip, the (International) Noise Conspiracy, Slipknot and others, and executive produced by long-time Slayer colleague Rick Rubin, who suggested Fidelman for the project. One reviewer called the album “the heaviest, bloodiest and best album in almost two decades.” World Painted Blood landed on boatloads of U.S. and International “Best of” lists for 2009, and N.A.R.A.S. saw fit to bestow its fourth Grammy nomination on Slayer – Best Metal Performance for the WPB track, “Hate Worldwide.” For “American Carnage,” Slayer’s Tom Araya promises, “no ballads, no acoustic numbers, no slow tempos.”
JULY
23 – Pavillon de la Jeunesse, Quebec City, QC Canada
24 – Heavy MTL, Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, QC Canada
26 – Metro Centre, Halifax, NS Canada
27 – Moncton Coliseum, Moncton, NB Canada
29 – Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto, ON Canada
30 – John Labatt Centre Center, London, ON Canada
AUGUST
11 – Glens Falls Civic Center, Glens Falls, NY
12 – Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ
14 – Tsongas Arena, Boston, MA
15 – Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ
16 – Chevrolet Theatre, Wallingford, CT
18 – Tower City Amphitheatre, Cleveland, OH
19 – Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI
20 – UIC Pavillon, Chicago, IL
21 – Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN
23 – Cap Fed Park @Sandstone, Kansas City, KS
25 – Magness Arena, Denver, CO
26 – Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, NM
27 – Dodge Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
29 – Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, San Diego, CA
30 – Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA
31 – Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA
SEPTEMBER
1 – Arco Arena, Sacramento, CA
3 – Wamu Theatre, Seattle, WA
4 – Washington County Fairgrounds, Portland, OR
0 Megadeth Announce New Tour with Testament & Exodus
The mighty Megadeth will join forces with Testament and Exodus for a month-long jaunt that will find these thrash titans crisscrossing the nation on the ‘Rust in Peace’ twentieth anniversary tour. These will be incredibly special shows that will delight Megadeth fans, as the band will be playing their landmark, genre-defining album, 1990’s Rust in Peace, in its entirety, in addition to other Megadeth set list favorites.
Megadeth’s latest, ENDGAME, was released in September 2009 and received some of the highest critical accolades of the band’s career. The band performed on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and was nominated for yet another Grammy – the eighth nomination of their storied career- for “Head Crusher.” Megadeth also enjoyed heaps of praise in the press, from outlets as varied as New York to Revolver to VH1’s “That Metal Show” to PopMatters. With ENDGAME, Megadeth have once again ascended to the top of the metal world.
The tour will kick off on March 1 in Spokane, WA and will run through the end of the month. The dates are as follows, with tickets going on sale this Friday, January 29.
3/1 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
3/2 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
3/3 – Medford, OR – Medford Armory
3/6 – Calgary, AB – Big Four (Testament with Special Guests)
3/7 – Edmonton, AB – Shaw Conference Centre (Testament with Special Guests)
3/8 – Saskatoon, SK – Prairieland Exhibition Hall
3/11 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theater
3/12 – Pittsburgh, PA – Palace Theater
3/13 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
3/15 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
3/16 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live
3/18 – Scranton, PA – Scranton Cultural Center
3/19 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
3/21 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
3/22 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
3/23 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall
3/25 – Houston, TX – Verizon Wireless Theater
3/26 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Amphitheate
3/27 – Lubbock, TX – The Pavilion
3/28 – El Paso, TX – Club 101
3/30 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theater
3/31 – Hollywood, CA – Hollywood Palladium (Testament with Special Guests)
Stay tuned for more information next week on the rescheduling of the American Carnage tour dates.
0 Megadeth, Slayer Team Up For ‘American Carnage’
YES, THE RUMORS ARE TRUE: SLAYER, MEGADETH TEAM UP FOR “AMERICAN CARNAGE”
Co-Headliners to Tour the U.S. Together For the First Time in Nearly Two Decades
Testament to be Special Guest
Recession-Proof $10.00 Tickets Available in All U.S. Markets
Slayer. Megadeth. Two names synonymous with fierce, crunching power. Two bands whose histories are inevitably intertwined in defining the thrash/metal genre. Individually, their respective prowess and accomplishments are impressive; but together, they’re brutal and unstoppable. Megadeth and Slayer will join forces to co-headline “American Carnage,” the most blistering, the most explosive, and the most eagerly anticipated mega-tour of the winter – and you do not want to miss it.
“American Carnage” will kick off on January 18 in Seattle, WA for a 26-date trek across North America that will include the six Canadian dates postponed earlier this month. Tickets for most shows go on sale this Friday, November 20. Ticketmaster is offering a special presale for most shows from Wednesday November 18 at 10am until Thursday November 19 at 10pm.
“American Carnage” is the first time that Slayer and Megadeth will have toured the U.S. together since 1991’s epic “Clash of the Titans” tour. To celebrate that and in recognition of the tough economic times that many of their fans are having, Megadeth and Slayer have decided to roll back the price of a chunk of tickets at every U.S. show to the “1991 price” of $10.00. These specially-priced tickets will be limited and when they’re gone, they’re gone. Megadeth has also teamed with iloveallaccess.com to provide an Ultimate Fan Package including premium seats, meet and greets, pre-show parties and more.
In addition, Testament – who was also on the “Clash of the Titans” bill, will be Special Guests on the entire tour, marking the first time that all three bands have shared a stage together in more than 18 years, and making this a “must see” metal event.
Both Megadeth and Slayer will hit the road supporting new albums: Megadeth’s 2009 album, ENDGAME, while Slayer’s World Painted Blood, the band’s 10th studio venture, hit stores November 3. Testament’s The Formation of Damnation: Special Tour Edition, will be released on February 23, 2010, with special unreleased bonus tracks.
Slayer and Megadeth have already massacred territories together outside of the U.S. – first with four explosive dates in June, 2009 across Western Canada – “Canadian Carnage” – marking the first time the bands had shared a stage anywhere in 18 years; and then six co-headlining “Carnage” dates in Australia followed in October.
According to various Canadian press outlets last summer: “It was a night of thrash impossible to trash…” “Tales about war, death, destruction, Satan, aliens and serial killers have never been so much fun…” “The two heavy metal heavyweights …went head-to-head on a level playing field. Both bands brought their ‘A’ game. And the results were anything but pretty – unless you include pretty freakin’ loud and pretty freakin’ awesome.”
Slayer. Few bands come close to matching the intensity that Slayer – guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, vocalist/bassist Tom Araya and drummer Dave Lombardo – brings to its live shows, having been named “Best Live Band” by numerous media outlets including Revolver, SPIN, and Metal Hammer. World Painted Blood offers a Slayer-ized point of view of our world – God’s terrifying global genocide, the chaos of our broken political system, the way-too-close proximity of world horrors that technology has brought us, and a chilling hypothesis of how the rest of the world might view America. The album was recorded in Los Angeles over two time periods, during October 2008 and then between late January and March 2009. World Painted Blood was produced by Greg Fidelman, who’s spent time in the studio with Metallica, the Gossip, the (International) Noise Conspiracy, Slipknot and others, and executive produced by long-time Slayer colleague, Rick Rubin, who suggested Fidelman for the project. One reviewer called the album “the heaviest, bloodiest and best album in almost two decades.” Fans got a couple of early morsels of the brutal new Slayer material — “Psychopathy Red,” a Hanneman song inspired by the heinous Russian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, who confessed to savagely murdering 56 children, was recorded last October and then leaked online. Then, the King-penned track, “Hate Worldwide,” was made available in July as a limited-edition single through Hot Topic. For “American Carnage,” Slayer’s Tom Araya promises, “no ballads, no acoustic numbers, no slow tempos.”
Megadeth. 2009 saw the release of ENDGAME, what has been heralded as Megadeth’s best album in years. It’s the record where it all comes full circle in a career that has not only set standards in hard rock and metal, but defined them. Megadeth’s signature shredding and rousing lyrics are the hallmarks of ENDGAME, with vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine once musing and making declarations about the world we live in, having named the album after a government document that should strike fear in the hearts of Americans! But that’s Mustaine and Megadeth, using the vehicle of music to shake things up, to make a point and to rattle your brain, literally, figuratively and sonically. Revolver magazine said of ENDGAME, “”One of their best albums.” VH1’s That Metal Show deemed it, “One of the metal albums of the year”, and Popmatters said, “”the record positively scorches with an intensity not heard since Rust in Peace.
Legendary thrash metal titans Testament, whose latest award-winning release (2008 Album of the Year, Metal Hammer’s Golden God Award) The Formation of Damnation, displays them as the quintessential modern heavy metal band, whose experience and accumulated skill allows them to attack with reserves of anger, energy and finesse that make them more powerful than ever. Lead singer Chuck Billy says, “Uniting these bands is the heavy metal event of generations. We are so proud to be a part of it.”
Slayer and Megadeth are also re-scheduling the east coast leg of the “Canadian Carnage” tour, postponed from this fall.
JANUARY
18 WaMu Theatre, Seattle, WA*
19 Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR – tickets sold via rosequarter.com
21 Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA*
22 Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA* (tickets on sale 11/21)
23 Dodge Theatre, Phoenix, AZ**
25 Magness Arena, Denver, CO*
26 Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, NM*
27 El Paso Coliseum, El Paso, TX*
29 Verizon Wireless, Houston, TX**
31 Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN*
FEBRUARY
1 Gwinnett Arena, Duluth, GA* (tickets on sale 11/20)
2 Broadbent Arena, Louisville, KY* (tickets on sale 12/4)
4 Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN* (tickets on sale 12/4)
5 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL* (tickets on sale 12/4)
6 Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI*
9 Chevrolet Theatre, Wallingford, CT**
11 Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ*
12 Glens Falls Civic Center, Glens Falls, NY*
13 Susquehanna Center, Camden, NJ*
14 Tsongas Arena, Lowell, MA*
16 Pavillon de La Jeunesse, Quebec City, QC – tickets sold via Billetech.com
18 John Labatt Centre, London, ON – tickets on sale 11/27 via JohnLabattCentre.com
19 Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON – tickets sold via Ticketmaster.ca
20 Bell Centre, Montreal, QC – tickets sold via Admission.com
22 Moncton Coliseum, Moncton, NB – tickets sold via MonctonColiseum.com
23 Metro Centre, Halifax, NS – tickets sold via TicketAtlantic.com
* tickets sold through Ticketmaster
** tickets sold through LiveNation.com
MegaFanClub ticket presale begins Wednesday November 18 at 10am. Not a member yet? Join Here: http://megafanclub.megadeth.com
0 An Update From Testament’s Chuck Billy
Chuck Billy posted the following on Testament’s blog today:
What’s Up Mother Fuckas…
Testament is about to embark on a KILLER North American tour and I am stoked!!! Formation of Damnation took us all over the world playing 126 gigs so far since the release of The Formation Of Damnation in April 2008. We even played rare shows in Eindhoven and London where we got to perform our first 2 Albums; it was incredible being on stage with our original line up performing songs from the early days of our career. It made us realize that we have a whole new generation of fans out there who love to thrash. Now we are coming home and there is nothing better than Headlining stages Coast to Coast. We are thrilled to be able to brutalize the nation and to be bringing some Class A Metal Acts: Unearth and Lazarus A.D. along for the ride.
Dudes, we have something SICK planned for you, we know times are tough and it is hard to get out there and spend the money on a ticket so we are making this tour YOURS. It is your choice what we play, check out the BRAND NEW contest live on our MySpace and VOTE on 3 set lists to determine our musical fate for the evening. We promise which ever set wins, we will get out on stage every night and kick your motha-fucking ass… Also, for the first time EVER we have VIP packages for sale. Not only does the VIP package include a ticket to the show but… hey, Go ahead have a drink ON US! …and with us, you will hang with us and check out our sound check, PLUS receive an autographed poster, collectible laminate, Testament Music Skins, a Very Special Limited Edition Merch Item and you will be entered into a raffle to win one of our NOT EVEN OUT YET Darkstar Testament Skateboard as well as Eric Peterson’s signature Dean guitar “Old Skull” V, and more! So don’t waste time take a look at our dates, see when we are coming to your city, buy a ticket to the show & GET INTO THE PIT!
~ Heavy Metal Forever! Chuck Billy
0 TESTAMENT ANNOUNCES FIRST US HEADLINING TOUR IN SUPPORT OF “THE FORMATION OF DAMNATION”
Bay Area thrash legends TESTAMENT are taking the stage once again for their first US headlining tour in support of the award-winning The Formation of Damnation. The band’s first new studio album in nine years won “Album of the Year” at the 2008 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards. The tour will feature the classic lineup of vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Greg Christian, and drummer Paul Bostaph. TESTAMENT will be bringing along metalcore heroes Unearth and neo-thrashers Lazarus A.D. The tour kicks off May 2.The password for the TESTAMENT ticket pre-sale is “Damnation.” Links to purchase can be found below along with the individual tour dates. More details will follow regarding Meet and Greet and VIP ticket packs.
Singer Chuck Billy commented on the upcoming US headlining tour: “It was really exciting last summer touring with Judas Priest, Heaven and Hell, and Motorhead, playing in front of all the old-school as well as new-school metalheads. Now we look forward to CRUSHING on our first headline tour on the Damnation Vacation US run. Heavy metal forever!!!”
For over 20 years, TESTAMENT has remained committed to the thrash metal sound that brought them to prominence in the late 1980s. The band has never compromised its unmatched intensity or musicianship and has only continued to up the ante with each release.
The Formation of Damnation was named one of MySpace’s Top Albums for 2008 and found itself at the top of many year-end lists including #9 Rock Album of the Year on iTunes for 2008, #4 Album of 2008 in Revolver Magazine, #10 on Metal Edge Top 50 of 2008, #1 on Metal Maniacs Top 20 of 2008, and the #2 Brave Pick in Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles. The album also dominated metal radio, coming in at #1 on Sirius-XM’s metal channel, #1 on CMJ’s Loud Rock charts, and was the most played album on metal radio according to FMQB.
Combining elements of hardcore, thrash, and extreme metal – while also never overlooking the importance of thought-provoking lyrical ideas and concepts – UNEARTH has steadily become one of the leading lights in heavy metal. Over the years the quintet has played in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, South America, Mexico, Japan, Europe including the Netherlands and Russia, and has appeared on such renowned metal fests as Ozzfest and Download. They have also appeared on International festivals such as Rock Am Park, Rock Am Ring, Loud Park, Wacken and others. UNEARTH’s latest offering, The March, was released in October of 2008.
“THRASH OR DIE” is the motto Lazarus A.D. have lived by since day one and their no holds barred attitude is equaled only by their will to become a leading force in modern metal. Their supreme level of creativity, musicianship and professionalism makes them an electrifying and engaging live act. Powered by only a three-song demo, they earned a spot opening for Anthrax and were the only unsigned band included on Earache Records’ Thrashing Like A Maniac compilation. After being signed by Metal Blade in 2008, Lazarus A.D. released The Onslaught on March 3, 2009.
Stay tuned for more details on TESTAMENT’s upcoming US tour!
TESTAMENT U.S. HEADLINING TOUR:(with Unearth and Lazarus A.D.)
MAY:
05/02 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
Pre-sale link
05/03 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
Pre-sale link
05/04 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore
Pre-sale link
05/06 – Calgary, AB – MacEwan Ballroom
Pre-sale link
05/07 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Events Centre
Pre-sale link
05/09 – Winnipeg, MB – The Garrick Centre
Pre-sale link
05/10 – Maplewood, MN – The Rock
Pre-sale link
05/12 – Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Theater
Pre-sale link
05/13 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s
Pre-sale link
05/15 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
Pre-sale link
05/16 – Detroit, MI – Harpos
Pre-sale link
05/17 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
Pre-sale link
05/18 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
Pre-sale link
05/20 – Toronto, ON – Sound Academy
Pre-sale link
05/21 – Montreal, QC – Metropolis
Pre-sale link
05/22 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
Pre-sale link
05/23 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
Pre-sale link
05/24 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
Pre-sale link
05/26 – Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head Live
Pre-sale link
05/27 – Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero
Pre-sale link
05/28 – Norfolk, VA – Norva
Pre-sale link
05/29 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theater
Pre-sale link
05/30 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
Pre-sale link
05/31 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
Pre-sale link
JUNE:
06/02 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar
On sale link
06/03 – San Antonio – Scout Bar
On sale link
06/04 – Ft. Worth, TX – Ridglea Theater
On sale link
06/06 – Kansas City, MO – The Beaumont
Pre-sale link
06/07 – Denver, CO – Cervantes
Pre-sale link
06/09 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
Pre-sale link
06/10 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Pre-sale link
06/11 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues
Pre-sale link
06/12 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
Pre-sale link
0 Hard Rock and Metal Playoffs – Heavy Metal Division
The Six Metal Bands below, Trivium, Metallica, Death Angel, Testament, Five Finger Death Punch and Slipknot all released new videos in 2008. Vote for your favorite video, and help send your favorite band to the HRH Bowl next Saturday!!
Trivium – Down From the Sky
Metallica – All Nightmare Long
Testament – More Than Meets The Eye
Five Finger Death Punch – Never Enough
Slipknot – Psychosocial
13 Hard Rock Hideout’s Top 15 of 2008
As good as 2007 was for new releases, 2008 blew it away. At the beginning of the year, I don’t think anyone expected to have new releases by AC/DC, Metallica and Guns N’ Roses all in the same year.
This year Rocknrollcoastie joined the HRH team and I asked him to submit his picks for 2008 as well. This way you get a double dose of the The 15 Albums from Hard Rock Hideout.
The following are Rob Rockitt’s Top Picks for 2008!
15. Guns N’ Roses – Chinese Democracy
What’s this? Have I lost my mind? When Chinese Democracy came out, I expected Hell to Freeze over. Much like many of you, I didn’t expect this album to ever see the light of day, much less in 2008. I didn’t give this album the best review when it was released. After the first couple of listens, I didn’t like it very much. Lets face it, this more like the Axl Rose Project than a true Guns N’ Roses CD. There is no Slash, no Izzy, No Duff. The album has very few sounds that resemble the old band that once cranked out some awesome hard rock.
I didn’t give up on this album and kept it in my playlist. After a couple of weeks of repeat plays, I have warmed up to this disc. Sure it doesn’t sound like the old band, but there is some pretty good music to be found if you give this the proper chance.
14. Thunder – Bang!
When Rocknrollcoastie reviewed this CD earlier this year, I previewed all of the clips, then quickly purchased the CD. I have liked Thunder since their Backstreet Symphony CD, and this disc is on par with that one in my opinion. It is a great sounding bluesy hard rock disc Buy it!
13. Jaded Sun – Gypsy Trip
Ireland’s latest rock act delivers the goods with their excellent debut CD, Gypsy Trip. I have been playing this CD a lot as of late. I think you will be hearing a lot more about these guys in 2009.
12. Black Tide – Light From Above
Somebody must have forgotten to give the young men in Black Tide a calendar. These guys rock like is 1988. You have to love it when a new band can reproduce that classic 80’s metal sound. Light From Above is a great debut for these Florida rockers.
11. Shinedown – The Sound of Madness
I have never been a huge Shinedown fan, but this CD changed my mind. “The Sound of Madness” is the first Shinedown CD that I could listen to all the way through without wanting to skip a track or two. I like all of the songs on this disc. This is a very solid record, and one of 2008’s nice surprises.
10. JORN – Lonely Are the Brave
Jorn Lande has been bringing us great new hard rock every year for several years now. Whether it is a solo CD, or another project he is working on, you can always expect Jorn Lande to be fairly consistent. Lonely Are The Brave is a little darker than most JORN CD’s but is a very good disc. Take one listen to the songs “Night City”, “Shadow People” or the very Black Sabbath with Dio like tune, “Soul of the Wind”, and you are bound to love this disc.
9. Metallica – Death Magnetic
This album has divided fans with its sound, but I thought this was a pretty good disc from Metallica. Sure, this disc doesn’t live up to their classic thrash metal from the 80’s, but at least they gave it their best shot. They should take notes from Testament next time around.
8. Testament – The Formation of Damnation
In my opinion, Testament one upped Metallica for best Thrash album of 2008. Heavy and killer! No thrash metal fan should be without this.
7. Motley Crue – Saints of Los Angeles
With S.O.L.A. Motley Crue turned in their best album since Dr. Feelgood. This one is still in heavy rotation in my play list today.
6. Disturbed – Indestructible
From the opening air raid sirens of Indestructible, you can almost tell immediately that you are about to take in one excellent album. In my opinion, this is Disturbed’s best work ever. The songs on this disc have an excellent heavy groove, that will satisfy the majority of headbangers out there. There are a ton of awesome guitar licks on this disc by Disturbed axeman Dan Donegan. Disturbed even got nominated for a Grammy for their song, “Inside The Fire”. Don’t miss this!
5. Alice Cooper – Along Came A Spider
Alice Cooper is an artist that has always been hit or miss with me. When I first read about the new concept album, “Along Came A Spider”, I rolled my eyes and dismissed this disc as another Alice Cooper album that would not deliver. Boy was I wrong! “Along Came A Spider” is one of the better Alice Cooper releases. The story behind this disc is creepy and cool. Slash plays on a track, and this is probably the only place you will hear Ozzy Osbourne playing a harmonica. Cool stuff!
4. Black Stone Cherry – Folklore and Superstition
Black Stone Cherry has been one of my favorite newer hard rock acts, since 2006 or so. Folklore and Superstition wasn’t quite as heavy as their debut, but is still as solid as ever. “Blind Man”, “Soulcreek”, “Please Come In” and “The Bitter End” are as good as it comes.
3. Whitesnake – Good To Be Bad
David Coverdale nearly pulled an Axl Rose, by making us wait so long for this new disc. While Good To Be Bad isn’t as good as ’84’s “Slide It In”, or the fabled self titled album from 1987, it is a return to the sound that Whitesnake fans love, and easily one of the top discs of 2008. Doug Aldrich could be the best guitarist to take the stage with Coverdale since John Sykes. Don’t believe me? Give this one another listen!
2. AC/DC – Black Ice
I am sure a lot of folks will disagree with me, but I think “Black Ice” is the best new AC/DC CD since “The Razor’s Edge”. Some of the songs on this disc may go down as AC/DC classics.
1. Tesla – Forever More
Tesla is a band that rarely disappoints me. If you have ever seen my Last FM playlist, you know I play the hell out of this band. Tesla’s 2004 CD “Into The Now” was probably my least favorite out of all of Tesla’s releases. With that being said, it made Tesla’s CD Forever More sound that much better. I like every song on this disc, and I never grow tired of listening to it. This is easily one of the best discs that the band has releases to date. For my ears, it was the highlight of 2008!
RocknRoll Coastie’s Top 15 of 2008!
Man! What an amazing year both musically and personally. With releases from bands like Motley Crue, White Lion, Dokken, Alice Cooper, & Whitesnake, just to name a few, it felt more like 1988 than 2008. So much great music came out this year and it showed me more than any other year that hard rock is very much alive and well.
Personally it was a great year because I happened to not only stumble across HardRockHideout, which I happen to think is the best hard rock site on the internet. I harassed Rob Rockitt a few times and of all things he invited me to jump on this train that HardRockHideout has become and come along for the journey. Damn what a wild ride it has been so far not only have I made a good friend, I have been introduced to so much new music it is not even funny and let’s face it, it isn’t everyday a person pisses off a whole country but somehow I managed to do just that by giving a Hungarian band a bad review. As wild and crazy as it has been this year I have the feeling it is only going to get better.
When Rob asked me if I wanted to put together my top 15 albums I thought there is no way because there has been so much great music come out in the past year. Then I was faced with do I go with the popular choices loved by the masses or do I stick to my guns and go with the bands and albums that I loved? I decided to go with the bands and albums that I loved this year, I guess I should warn everyone not to expect a lot of big name bands on my list. NOBODY forced me to choose these albums, I chose them of my own free will so love’em or hate’em here they are:
15. The Wildhearts – Stop Us If You’ve Heard This One Before Vol 1
Yeah I know it is a covers album which has almost become a cliche in itself. But this isn’t your everyday run of the mill covers album with songs from Warren Zevon to the Toadies to Fugazi it is a pretty eclectic choice of songs here. To be honest the Wildhearts are probably one of the few bands that could get me to listen to the 90’s alternative music on here.
14. Theory of a Deadman – Scars & Souvenirs
I pretty much spent most of the summer cranking the third release from this Canadian band. Finally out of the shadow of Nickelback the guys really stepped out on their own with Bad Girlfriend, I Hate My Life, & Little Smirk just to name a few.
13. From The Inside – Visions
The second release from Danny Vaughn’s Journey inspired project. Tons of great music here including Light Years, Making Waves, Listen To Your Heart, and 21st Century.
12. Big Cock – Motherload
Taking sexual innuedos to a new level Robert Mason and the guys 3rd release simply rocks. I wish these guys would take themselves seriously and go on tour I could guarantee they would be one of the best shows out there. If you haven’t heard Breaking My Balls, Bump and Grind, or M.I.L.F. you are missing out.
11. Hinder – Take It To The Limit
I can see most people rolling their eyes at this pick and to be honest when I heard Hinder had a new album coming out I wasn’t expecting much. But the guys put out an album filled with good time party anthems and let’s be honest it is going to be bands like Hinder, Buckcherry, and Nickelback that are going to keep straight up rock in the limelight in the 21st century. Besides what man can resist a video filled with hot Playboy cybergirls??
10. Talon – Fallen Angels
This California band came out of nowhere and completely blew me away. Melodic rock at it’s finest, Chandler Mogel is a monster singer with a great voice and Jim Kee is a phenomenal guitarist. Burn, Baby Jane, What About Me, and Always Be My Baby are all great songs.
9. 7th Heaven – U.S.A-U.K.
This is another band that came from out of nowhere and blew me away. From what I understand these Chicago natives have been around for a while but replaced their former singer with Kevin Semple before recording this album and he is an awesome singer. If you are a fan of “Hysteria” era Def Leppard you have to get this album you would be hard pressed to tell the bands apart if you didn’t know the songs.
8. Marcello/Vestry – Self Titled
Another slab of melodic rock, this time it comes from Danger Danger axeman Rob Marcello and vocalist Frank Vestry, with a little help from Danger Danger’s Bruno Ravel who played bass and produced the record. Great catchy sing along songs like Fireworks, All I Wanna Do Is U, and Gone fill this record. It is exactly what you would expect from members of Danger Danger and I for one am not complaining at all.
7. House of Lords – Come To My Kingdom
After the fiasco that was the Power & the Myth, James Christian started pretty much from scratch with House of Lords and released World Upside Down in 06. In ’08 the band came back even stronger with Come To My Kingdom dare I say the best HoL album to date. James’ voice still sounds great and Jimi Bell, B.J. Zampa, and Matt McKenna have made the band even stronger. I don’t think there is a weak song on this album.
5. Extreme – Saudades de Rock –
One of the first albums I reviewed for HRH. 13 years is a long time to wait between albums but honestly I think it was a good thing for the guys in Extreme. They came back stronger than ever with some strong kick ass songs and the addition of Kevin Figueiredo was an awesome decision. I liked this album when it was released but the more I listened to it the more I loved it.
5. Tesla – Forever More
Four years between new albums also did Tesla a world of good. Forever More is head and shoulders above 04’s Into The Now and like Extreme the addition of guitarist Dave Rude did wonders for the band. I Wanna Live, Just In Case, All of Me, and Pvt Ledbetter are just a few of the stand out tracks on Forever More.
4. There is no number 4 because of a tie for third.
3. The Quireboys – Homewreckers & Heartbreakers (Tie)
One of my all time favorite bands returned in ’08 with a new album their first in 4 years and all I can say is Wow! Homewreckers & Heartbreakers is the best Quireboys album since A Bit of What You Fancy. Bluesy Faces inspired rock at it very best, Spike has never sounded better than he does on this album. Mona Lisa Smiled, I Love This Dirty Town, Louder, and One For The Road are a few of the highlights on this album. In case you didn’t know Spike also released a great solo album titled So Called Friends around the same time definitely worth checking out.
3. Badmouth – S/T (Tie)
If I had a song of the year hands down it would be Rivethead by these Swedish ass kickers. Just that one song makes Badmouth’s debut worth the money but on top of Rivethead this album is filled with straight up rock n roll anthems like Pedal to the Metal, Kick It Up, and Cocaine Girl. Throw in a couple of songs like Last Train and Take Your Toothbrush With You that remind me of one of my favorite bands Backyard Babies you have a can’t miss album.
2. Backyard Babies – S/T
This album was my choice for my number 1 for the longest time but it was dethroned when the band at number 1 now released their new album. But this album from Sweden’s finest has everything a great rock record should great sing a long in your face songs, great solos, a hell of a lot of attitude. Degenerated, Come Undone, Nomadic, Abandon, and Back on the Juice are just a few of the ass kickings you have in store when listening to this album.
1. D-A-D (Disneyland After Dark) – Monster Philosophy
Is it just me or did Scandinavian bands kick a lot of rock n roll ass this year? Another of my all time favorite bands and I know there may be only one person in the states that agrees with me here but hands down Monster Philosophy is the best album of the year. 22 years and 10 studio albums and still most rock fans in America have no clue who D-A-D are. In one word LEGENDS, this album is filled not only with great songs but great vocals from Jesper Binzer and the sounds Jacob “Cobber” Binzer gets from his guitar are unbelievable. I can’t forget Stig Pedersn on bass or drums by Laust Sonne. While there are albums that may have three great songs and the rest of the album are good songs, on Monster Philosophy there are 13 great songs and each one sounds completely different from the others. Maybe some person at an American record company will pull their head out of the sand and sign D-A-D and get their albums released and re-released here in the states but if they don’t I will keep paying the import price because every one of their albums are worth the money.
I hope you enjoyed our top picks for 2008. If you would like to see what other hard rock and metal writers have picked as their top albums of 2008, check out the following links below:
Heavy Metal Addiction — http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/
Heavy Metal Time Machine — http://metalmark.blogspot.com/
Bring Back Glam — http://bringbackglam.squarespace.com/
Rock And Roll and Meandering Nonsense — http://rnrnonsense.toomanyvoices.com/
All Metal Resource — http://allmetalresource.com/
Imagine Echoes — http://www.imagineechoes.com/
Metal Excess — http://metalexcess.wordpress.com/
The Ripple Effect — http://www.ripplemusic.blogspot.com/
Rock Of Ages — http://rockofages.wordpress.com/
Layla’s Classic Rock — http://laylasclassicrock.blogspot.com/
Hair Metal Mansion — http://hairbangersradio.ning.com/
The Metal Minute — http://rayvanhornjr.blogspot.com/
0 TESTAMENT TAKES OVER HEADBANGERS BALL THIS SATURDAY!!!
This Saturday, December 13, Bay Area thrash legends TESTAMENT will be taking over the airwaves on MTV2’s Headbangers Ball. Along with their brand-new video for “More Than Meets The Eye,” HBB will also be airing never-before-seen footage from the band’s shoot at Alcatraz in San Francisco. “More Than Meets The Eye” was produced by Kevin Custer (Kingdom of Sorrow, Beneath The Massacre).
Six TESTAMENT art pieces, performances, and videos will be intertwined with all the videos that air on Headbangers Ball, which airs Saturday night at 2AM Eastern / 1AM Central.
Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson recently commented on Headbangersblog.com about their new video: “We haven’t had a new video out for a long time, since ‘Low’ in ’94. Our new video is for ‘More Than Meets the Eye’, and it was created by Kevin Custer who’s worked with Kingdom of Sorrow and Beneath the Massacre among others. It was really fun working with Kevin. He really worked in tandem with the band’s vision and took it to the next level.
“The band went to LA and shot performance footage in front of a green screen, then Kevin turned that footage into mayhem with some “Formation of Damnation” happening in the background. We’re happy with it as our first video. We look forward to doing more videos and getting into a concept. We’re definitely pleased to have this represent us for the first one from the new record.
“The feel of the video is more about unearthing the demons within and the terror that wrath can incite. And as the song progresses, the mayhem takes over – a reflection of what is inside the band and the music we create… More Than Meets the Eye.”
Produced by Kevin J. Custer of Toaster In The Tub, “More Than Meets The Eye” adds to TESTAMENT’s scorching scene-returning campaign that has included the following highlights:
– participation on the North American Metal Masters summer tour with Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, and Motörhead
– being showcased on MTV’s 52/52 Artist Of The Week
– debuting at 59 on the Billboard Top 200 chart for selling over 11,500 copies of The Formation Of Damnation the first week of release
– clinching the 1 slot on the FMQB and CMJ radio charts for several consecutive weeks
– winning Metal Hammer’s Golden Gods Award for “Best Album of 2008”
– album awarded 1 in Metal Maniacs’ Top 20 of 2008 Critics’ Picks list
– Most played album on metal radio for 2008 (FMQB)
Be sure to tune in this Saturday for exclusive new Testament footage!
0 ARTISTS’ ADDICTION SOUNDTRACKS RELEASES SAW V SOUNDTRACK ON iTUNES OCTOBER 21
MINISTRY, TESTAMENT, FILTER, SKINNY PUPPY, THE ALMIGHTY, AND THE REVOLTING COCKS ARE AMONG THE BANDS ON THE UNRELENTING, BALLS-TO-THE-WALL SOUNDTRACK
SAW V, THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF THE HORROR MOVIE FRANCHISE, HITS THEATERS OCTOBER 24
“Hello…I want to play a game,” those are the immortal words Saw’s sadistic purveyor of self-imposed twisted justice Jigsaw utters to his victims as they come to. And if you hear those words you’re soon to find yourself in a world of hurt. Back for the fifth installment of the Saw horror series this Halloween (in theaters October 24 to be exact), moviegoers will once again cringe in their seats as blood, guts and body parts are up for grabs.
And because every sick & twisted horror honcho needs an explosive soundtrack, Artists’ Addiction Soundtracks has compiled a list of incendiary artists such as Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Testament, and Revolting Cocks among the 14 tracks for the volatile digital-only release.
What started out as a “little” indie horror movie back in 2004 has turned into a juggernaut go-for-the-throat franchise so gruesome you want to turn away, yet so compelling you just can’t. And fittingly enough, the movie soundtracks have always been amicable counterparts assaulting the senses in a fashion that would make Jigsaw proud.
Adding to the sonic assault to Saw V is Charlie Clouser (ex-Nine Inch Nails), no stranger to the Saw soundtracks, with his cuts “Trap Attacks” and “What It Takes,” as well as Filter’s remix version of “What’s Next.” Other killer songs include: Testament’s “True Believer,” Ministry’s “Death and Destruction (Remix),” Prong’s “The Banishment,” Die Krupps’ “The Dawning of Doom,” Skinny Puppy’s “ugLi” and The Revolting Cocks’ “Wizard of Sextown.”
Artists’ Addiction Soundtracks’ Jonathan Platt says of the Saw V Soundtrack: “We feel that we have put together a collection of songs that really mirrors the chaos onscreen. All of our acts are big fans of the Saw series and were excited to be a part of the soundtrack and I think that energy really comes across.”
This Halloween belongs to Saw V!!
SAW V SOUNDTRACK:
01. Trap Attacks Charlie Clouser
02. True Believer Testament
03. Death And Destruction (Remix) Ministry
04. What’s Next (Remix) Filter
05. Thanks Again, Again The Almighty
06. The Banishment Prong
07. The Dawning Of Doom Die Krupps
08. Power Player Clutch
09. ugLi Skinny Puppy
10. Strangers William Control
11. Unlaced Emilie Autumn
12. Blood And Music Fixmer/McCarthy
13. Wizard Of Sextown The Revolting Cocks
14. What It Takes Charlie Clouser
1 HEAVY METAL TITANS JUDAS PRIEST ANNOUNCE 7 DATE ‘PRIEST FEAST’ ARENA TOUR
One of the worlds most popular and influential Heavy Metal bands – Judas Priest are set to rock the UK to it’s very core when they bring their ‘Priest Feast’ tour to play 7 arena dates in February 2009 with support from special guests – Thrash Metal veterans Megadeth and Testament.
Since 1974, Judas Priest has been one of heavy metal’s most successful bands, issuing such all-time classic albums as 1980’s ‘British Steel,’ 1982’s ‘Screaming for Vengeance,’ and 1990’s ‘Painkiller,’ and such arena-rocking anthems as “Breaking the Law,” “Living After Midnight,” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’.” However, Priest’s influence goes far beyond their music – they were the first metal band to embrace the ‘leather biker look,’ a fashion that has since become synonymous with the musical genre. Additionally, Halford’s powerful four-and-a-half octave vocal range and the twin guitar harmonies of Downing and Tipton have been ‘studied’ by countless metal bands in Priest’s wake.
Think ‘Double vinyl, gatefold sleeve concept album,’ and some of rock’s all-time classic recordings come to mind. But in the realm of heavy metal, there has never been a double vinyl (now disc!) concept album that has managed to balance a thought-provoking storyline with metallic thunder. That was, until now. Metal legends JUDAS PRIEST released their sprawling double disc concept album, ‘Nostradamus’ via Columbia Records on Monday, June 16th in the UK/Europe, and a day later in the US on Epic Records.
MEGADETH
As one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands of all time, Megadeth have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, including six consecutive platinum albums, with seven consecutive Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance. Megadeth has remained a vital element in continuing to define and redefine the sound and the fury of metal music and with each new album, forges new ground and stretches the very boundaries where metal lives.
TESTAMENT
Testament was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980’s. Undoubtedly, they are the inventors of the thrash-metal wheel. Testament’s powerful sound, influence, and longevity make them one of the Top 5 All-Time Legendary Thrash Metal Bands, putting them in the company of Slayer, Megadeth, Metallica, and Anthrax. They re-formed with the original line up (vocalist ChuckBilly, guitarists Eric Peterson & Alex Skolnick, and bassist Greg Christian – along with friend and former member, Paul Bostaph) to record their 9th studio album – their first in nearly a decade entitled ‘Formation of Damnation’ (released April this year) which also won them ‘Best Album’ at the Metal Hammer ‘Golden Gods’ Awards this summer.
Having the opportunity to see 3 such important and influential bands within the world of Metal on the same bill is cause for excitement. Make sure you don’t miss the chance to witness Metal history in the making and ensure you are part of Priest Feast 2009.
‘PRIEST FEAST’
JUDAS PRIEST
With Special Guests Megadeth and Testament
February
Friday 13 Sheffield Arena
Saturday 14 Birmingham LG Arena
Monday 16 Glasgow SECC Hall 4
Tuesday 17 Manchester Arena
Wednesday 18 Nottingham Arena
Friday 20 Cardiff Arena
Saturday 21 Wembley Arena
Tickets are priced at £37.50 (subject to booking fee) and are available from 0844 576 5483 or buy online at www.livenation.co.uk
0 TESTAMENT ANNOUNCES HEADLINING DATES WITH SOILENT GREEN!!!
TESTAMENT is pleased to announce a string of headlining dates this October with Louisiana metallers Soilent Green. The tour includes TESTAMENT’s appearance at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 9 in New York City, where they will be direct support to headliners Children of Bodom; also special guests, The Black Dahlia Murder and Between The Buried and Me.
Guitarist Eric Peterson checked in to discuss the Metal Masters tour and the band’s upcoming US headlining dates: “We just finished the Metal Masters tour, and it was a great tour to be on. Unfortunately, it went by too quick. We got to know everyone towards the end, and it started to feel like family. It’s too bad it had to end so soon, especially after getting to know everyone. Hopefully, the Metal Masters will continue next year in Europe.
“In the meantime, we’re heading to Japan and Australia. The last time we played there in ’06, we promised our fans we’d have a new record out the next time we came around. We kept our promise and we’re excited to get back there and play it for them.
“Once we get back, we’ll be headlining some east coast shows, including a one-off with Children of Bodom at the infamous Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. We’ll have full production, so we’re excited to put on our whole show. This tour is going to focus on secondary markets, so we don’t spoil anything for next year. We plan on having a big year and putting a big package together, wink wink.”
Having just wrapped up the biggest tour of the summer – Metal Masters with Judas Priest, Heaven and Hell, and Motorhead – TESTAMENT has been touring to support their phenomenal new release, The Formation of Damnation. The album hit streets April 29 on Nuclear Blast Records and debuted at 59 on the Billboard 200. TESTAMENT has been in the top 3 on Sirius’ Hard Attack since March and were 1 on national metal radio for 12 weeks. The band recently won “Album of the Year” at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards for The Formation of Damnation.
www.myspace.com/testamentlegions
www.testamentlegions.com
OVERSEAS DATES:
9/20 – Kawasaki, Japan – Club Citta
9/21 – Kawasaki, Japan – Club Citta
9/25 – Brisbane, Australia – The Arena
9/26 – Melbourne, Australia – The HiFi
9/27 – Sydney, Australia – The Metro
11/09 – Christchurch, New Zealand – AMI Stadium – Southern Amp 2008
Testament headlining w/ Soilent Green:
10/1 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
10/3 – Pittsburgh, PA – Rex Theater
10/4 – Syracuse, NY – The Lost Horizon
10/5 – State College, PA – Lulu’s
10/7 – Lancaster, PA – Chameleon Club
10/8 – Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock Café
10/9 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom (w/ Children of Bodom, The Black Dahlia Murder, Between The Buried And Me)
10/10 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
Testament in Mexico (venues TBA):
10/27 – Monterey, Mexico
10/29 – Guadalajara, Mexico
10/30 – Puebla, Mexico
10/31 – Mexico City, Mexico
0 Testament Announces More 2008 Tour Dates
Testament on Masters of Metal Tour with Judas Priest,
Heaven and Hell + Motorhead (Through August)
August 2008:
08/30/08 Glen Helen Pavilion – Devore, CA
08/31/08 Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA
September 2008:
09/20/08 Club Citta – Kawasaki, Japan
09/21/08 Club Citta – Kawasaki, Japan
09/25/08 The Arena – Brisbane, Australia
09/26/08 The HiFi – Melbourne Australia
09/27/08 The Metro – Sydney, Australia
October 2008:
10/01/08 Diamond Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OK
10/03/08 Rex Theater, Pittsburgh, PA
10/04/08 The Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY
10/05/08 Lulu’s – State College, PA
10/07/08 Chameleon Club – Lancaster, PA
10/08/08 Crocodile Rock – Allentown, PA
10/09/08 Hammerstein Ballroom – New York, NY*
10/10/08 Webster Theate – Hartford, CT
All dates with Soilent Green, except for date marked with *, which is
with Children of Bodom, Black Dahlia Murder, and Between Buried And Me
November 2008:
11/09/08 AMI Stadium – Christchurch, New Zealand
0 Testament Featured on Miller High Life Website..Free Downloads!!
Thrash metal titans Testament have teamed up with Miller High Life for a special promotion! 2 songs from Testament’s latest album, The Formation of Damnation, are available for download RIGHT NOW at Miller High Life Site. Testament will be featured on the main MP3 page of Miller High Life’s “Extras” section beginning August 16.
“More Than Meets The Eye” and “Henchmen Ride” will be available for download for one whole year!
There are over 20 million, specially-marked cases of Miller High Life beer distributed with a unique code on each, which fans can then redeem for “Stuff” at Miller High Life Site.
Testament’s The Formation of Damnation recently won Best Album at the 2008 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards. The album debuted at 59 on the Billboard Top 200 and has sold nearly 33,000 copies since its April 29 release. The Formation of Damnation is Testament’s highest charting release in their 24-year history. The album also dominated at radio holding the 1 spot on both CMJ and FMQB for several consecutive weeks.
2 Testament – The Formation of Damnation (Release Year – 2008)
It has been a long time since we have a disc of new material from Testament. 1999 to be exact.
Fans of the band have been clamoring for new material for ages. With The Formation of Damnation, everyone will get their wish.
Testament returns with a powerful new album that should make them the new kings of Bay Area Thrash Metal. I must admit that I had low expectations for this record, which is why it BLEW ME AWAY! Testament still has every bit of the fire that made them a thrash metal favorite.
Chuck Billy has survived his batter with cancer, and with The Formation of Damnation, he sounds like he is out to conquer the world. Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson absolutely shred on this disc. I haven’t heard guitar playing this good on a metal record in a very long time.
Testament has one beast of a rhythm section with Greg Christian on bass, and Paul Bostaph on Drums. Bostaph’s rapid fire drumming is awesome. His drum sound is excellent on this record.
With some of Testament’s past releases, some songs are hit or miss, but with The Formation of Damnation, I can’t find any songs that I dislike. In fact, Testament made me remember why I love thrash metal in the first place. The songs are heavy, blood pumping, heavy metal beasts, that attack your senses with an audible fury that shakes you to your core.
Headbangers can rejoice. Testament has released one aggressive, Pit Bull of a record. 80’s style Bay Area Thrash is back! Thrash Metal fans and metalheads in general need to buy this record now! I highly recommend it.
You can preview new tracks on the Testament E-Card at this location. Metalheads around the world need to buy this record now! This is the best heavy metal record of 2008!
Rating: Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. For The Glory Of
2. More Than Meets the Eye
3. The Evil Has Landed
4. Formation of Damnation
5. Dangers of the Faithless
6. The Persecuted Won’t Forget
7. Henchman
8. Killing Season
9. Afterlife
10. F.E.A.R.
11. Leave Me Forever
Testament is:
Chuck Billy – Vocals
Eric Peterson – Guitars
Alex Skolnick – Guitars
Greg Christian – Bass
Paul Bostaph – Drums
0 Testament Reveals Cover Artwork
Testament reveals the new cover artwork(by Eliran Kantor) and track listing of TESTAMENT‘s forthcoming album, “The Formation of Damnation”, due in North America on April 29 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The band recorded the effort in part with producer Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE) at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California.
“The Formation of Damnation” track listing:
02. More Than Meets The Eye
03. The Evil Has Landed
04. Formation Of Damnation
05. Dangers of The Faithless
06. The Persecuted Won’t Forget
07. Henchman
08. Killing Season
09. Afterlife
10. F.E.A.R.
11. Leave Me Forever
“The album is very traditional-sounding,” guitarist Eric Peterson recently told Decibel magazine. “The ideology of what we’re doing is like ‘The Legacy’ [1987]. But the musicianship’s a lot better, so it’s like ‘The Gathering’ [1999]. As most bands record their first, second and third albums, they’re developing, developing, developing… until they’ve got their sound. Then they get worse. As a rule, you get good when you’re starving and start slipping as soon as you’re eating well. We never really made it to the big time. But, then again, we didn’t fail. Because we’ve always been on that borderline, we’ve never had to make the kinds of compromises that end up killing so many bands. As we see it, we’re better off doing what we do best, especially since things seem to have turned full circle. Kids even have long hair again.”
TESTAMENT recently recruited Paul Bostaph (SLAYER, EXODUS, FORBIDDEN, SYSTEMATIC) to play the drums on new CD. The group was previously rehearsing and writing new material with British drummer Nick Barker (CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR), but Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and international work visa issues have prevented Barker from continuing to be involved in the project.
Bostaph, who was a member of TESTAMENT for a brief period starting around February 2004, had previously played several live dates with the group in 1992 and appeared on the band’s 1993 live EP, “Return to the Apocalyptic City”. He also toured with TESTAMENT in 2006.
6 Testament – The Legacy (1987)
The Legacy is the debut by San Francisco thrash metallers Testament. I must admit that I am not a large fan of Thrash metal, but I have enjoyed songs by the big 4 (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax). I can honestly say that before 2007, I have not heard or listened to the Legacy.
I was first exposted to Testament back in 1990 through the MTV Headbanger’s ball, and specifically their song Souls of Black. I picked up that disc back in the day, but never picked up any of their other discs.
What do I think of The Legacy? It is a pretty good damn thrash metal disc that easily stands up to any of the early material put out by the big 4 mentioned above.
Off the Wall starts this disc off with a hyper speed thrash attack. Louie Clemente sounds like he is going to pound the drums through the floor, and 19 year old Alex Skolnick surprises the world with his incredible heavy guitar playing.
I really like the heavy guitar riff on The Haunting. Chuck Billy’s fast paced vocal delivery on this track can only send the masses into a moshing frenzy.
Burnt Offerings teases you with an Iron Maiden like beginning before blasting off into a high speed assault on the ears. The main guitar riff on this track is quite simplistic in nature, but is still very cool. Skolnick and Peterson shred like crazy on this track.
I immediately felt the need to break out the air guitar on Raging Waters, and I think ended up with whiplash from headbanging to this tune. Thrash metal doesn’t get much better than this.
C.O.T.L.O.D. or Curse of the Legions of Death was more enjoyable for me after I read the lyrics. Its an extemely short track, but a good listen. This track is one that needs to grow on you.
First Strike is Deadly and Do or Die are the kind of thrash songs that I usually don’t like as much. The frantic pace of these songs is so high that I can’t enjoy the guitar work as much as I normally would. First Strike’s saving grace is the awesome guitar solo towards the end of the song. With a few more listen’s Do or Die started growing on me a little more. You can almost sing along with Chuck Billy’s chant on this one.
The beginning guitar work on Alone in Dark sounds so good, it makes me wonder how good Testament could sound if Alex Skolnick slowed his playing down below light speed. This song has grown on me a lot more after several listens.
Apocalyptic City reminds me very much of old Metallica. It starts off slow and builds into a furious, head banging, full speed fret flailing monster. I really like this track a lot. It is a pretty amazing way to end (or in some senses start) The Legacy.
I have found over the last few weeks that this disc mixes well with the other stuff I am listening to a regular basis, and I decided to keep this disc in my playlist. I think a little thrash music is good for the soul from time to time. Thanks to Ray Van Horn Jr. for picking this disc in March Metal Madness!
Check out what the Metal Madness Knights are saying about Testament’s The Legacy at the links below: Heavy Metal Time Machine, Heavy Metal Addiction, and Pulses, Verses and other Flotsam!
Rating: Out of 10
- Over the Wall
- The Haunting
- Burnt Offerings
- Raging Waters
- C.O.T.L.O.D.
- First Strike is Deadly
- Do or Die
- Alone In the Dark
- Apocalyptic City