TESTAMENT
EPISODES
Testament — The Complete Metal Nerdery Coverage
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"Testament — the beginning of the 2nd wave of The Big Four. Part of the Big Six."
"The eerie factor. Nobody does it like Testament."
"The New Order is one of THE finest moments of thrash metal EVER."
"Chuck Billy at 60+ years old sounds better now than most singers half his age."
"Testament is just a metal band — they can do anything."
About This Page
Formed in 1983 in the Bay Area as The Legacy — before a jazz band of the same name forced a rename, suggested by none other than Billy Milano — Testament are the most important thrash band outside of the Big Four. Where Metallica brought progressive ambition, Slayer brought evil, and Megadeth brought virtuosity, Testament brought something uniquely their own: an eerie, dark, creepy signature sound anchored by Chuck Billy's increasingly powerful voice and Alex Skolnick's distinctively melodic lead guitar work.
Metal Nerdery has covered Testament's full classic era album by album — from The Legacy through Souls of Black — with more episodes always coming. Check out all of our Testament coverage below. 🤘
The Testament origin story: Previously known as The Legacy, they had Steve "Zetro" Souza as their singer before he left to join Exodus. They brought in Chuck Billy of the band Guilt. After discovering a jazz band named Legacy, they changed their name to Testament — a suggestion from Billy Milano. Producer Alex Perialas handled the first three albums, recording at Pyramid Sound Studios in Ithaca, NY — the same studio he used for Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, Overkill, and S.O.D.
The Testament Episodes
🎯 The Classic Eerie Era1987–1988 · The Legacy & The New Order · the dark, creepy, foundational Testament sound
March 2026 · Released April 1987 · "The beginning of the 2nd wave of The Big Four"
The debut that introduced the world to Testament's uniquely eerie brand of thrash. Prior to this album they were known as The Legacy — and the name change to Testament was suggested by Billy Milano himself. Chuck Billy's origin story. The album cover. The eerie factor. "Over the Wall" as the killer opener. "Do or Die." "C.O.T.L.O.D." The story of how Steve "Zetro" Souza left to join Exodus and Chuck Billy came in from the band Guilt. "Testament — the beginning of the 2nd wave of The Big Four. Part of the Big Six." Alex Perialas production. The classic lineup: Chuck Billy, Alex Skolnick, Eric Peterson, Greg Christian, Louie Clemente. #theeeriefactor
2022 · Released May 1988 · "One of THE finest moments of thrash metal EVER"
There are some albums in the annals of thrash metal history that are considered "art" — timeless, heavy, classic, and almost perfect. The New Order is one of them. A mystical, shamanistical rabbit hole that gave us one of the finest moments in the genre. "Some might say it's their AJFA album, others their Black Album — we feel like it falls somewhere in the middle." Alex Perialas again at the helm. The eerie, creepy darkness of the first two albums reaches its peak here before the more accessible Practice What You Preach. "The New Order is what separates Testament from a lot of bands." #TestamentCreepy
1989–1990 · Practice What You Preach & Souls of Black · "good time thrash" with a darker undercurrent
2023 · Released August 1989 · "Their And Justice For Black Album"
A bit of a departure from the eerie, dark, creepy signature sound of The Legacy and The New Order. There's an almost upbeat "good time thrash" vibe — "more singy, less screamy" vocals and more accessible songs that radio stations could actually play. Some say it's their "…And Justice For Black Album"; others say it's their "…And Black Album For All." We feel it falls somewhere in the middle. "This goes down way too easy." The importance of hooks in mainstream metal. Mall memories from the summer of '89. "The solo goes on forever." Perilous Nation (#happymetal). #SouthAmericanAdultEntertainment. Mario Bros trivia. Gentle grip, fast technique.
July 2024 · Released October 1990 · The Clash of the Titans album
Released to coincide with Testament's participation in the European Clash of the Titans tour alongside Slayer, Megadeth, and Suicidal Tendencies. The first album with producer Michael Rosen replacing Alex Perialas — and the difference in the low end is noticeable. "The chugs are kinda lacking — it's a little #chugless." Souls of Black: #creepythunder #killerbassline #TestamentCreepy. Face in the Sky. Beginning of the End. Falling Fast. "It's not as whatever as Practice." "Isn't it the same as #5?" "Sounds like a shitty Italian dish." Remember the loudness button?
Testament on Other Metal Nerdery Episodes
Class of 1989: "Envy Life" from Practice What You Preach played — "that's kinda heavy and creepy at the same time." Chuck Billy doing the death metal growl for the first time. "Get ready for the heavy harmonies." "If he would have said 'yeah-yeah' a few times…"
Thrash Metal History: The Legacy covered as part of the Discogs Top 50 Early Thrash Albums — "part of the Big 5" alongside the Big Four. C.O.T.L.O.D. — a special Rib Lounge request from Ron. Among the Living era Anthrax and Testament as the defining second wave.
Megaforce Records: Testament's debut The Legacy referenced as MN episode #022. Alex Perialas's role at Pyramid Sound Studios connecting Megaforce's thrash roster across Testament, Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, Overkill, S.O.D., and M.O.D.
Big Four Deep Cuts: Testament name-checked repeatedly as the strongest candidate for a "Big Five" or "Big Six" designation — the band that should have been in the Big Four conversation from day one.
- Formed: Bay Area, California — 1983, originally as The Legacy
- Name change: Suggested by Billy Milano — there was already a jazz band called Legacy
- Original vocalist: Steve "Zetro" Souza — left to join Exodus
- Chuck Billy joined: 1986 — from the band Guilt
- Classic lineup: Chuck Billy · Alex Skolnick · Eric Peterson · Greg Christian · Louie Clemente
- Producer of first three albums: Alex Perialas — Pyramid Sound Studios, Ithaca NY
- Metal Nerdery classification: Part of the Big Six — the strongest candidate for the 5th Big Four slot
- The eerie factor: "Nobody does it like Testament." The Legacy and The New Order define it.
- Metal Nerdery Testament episodes: 4 dedicated dives and counting
- Metal Nerdery verdict: The greatest thrash band outside the Big Four. Full stop. 🤘