Testament

Influenced by the emerging Californian thrash metal scene, Testament was originally formed of vocalist Steve Souza, guitarists Eric Peterson and Derrick Ramirez, bassist Greg Christian, and drummer Louie Clemente in 1983. However, only with the arrival of lead guitarist Alex Skolnick did the group rise above their peers, creating a polished melodic thrash metal sound. The band’s debut album “The Legacy” released in 1987 brought them instant success within thrash circles and led to immediate comparisons being drawn with Metallica. U.S. and European tours alongside Anthrax did wonders for the group’s exposure and led to the band second studio album “The New Order” in 1988.

The band’s third full-length album “Practice What You Preach” left the antiquated themes of the occult and gothic behind and focused on modern day politics and corruption. It became the band’s most popular album and resulted in noticeable airplay from MTV. 1990’s “Souls of Black” was released to fairly average reviews but sold well, despite having to compete with the growing grunge movement famed by the likes of Nirvana.

Testament’s fourth full-length became their best selling, a marked a return to a more traditional metal sound, it peaked at No. 55 on the Billboard 100 and featured the single “Return to Serenity”. After the release the band began to fade from mainstream view, and were unable to change with the times necessary for continued large-scale appeal. As a result this period was marked by constant line-up changes, with Eric Peterson remaining the only original member, and a disappointing string of albums including “Low” in 1994, “Demonic” in 1997, “The Gathering” in 1999, and “The Formation of Damnation” in 2008.

Despite this, the band has managed to retain an active and loyal following within the metal underground, who continue to see Testament perform live regularly. The band’s tenth studio album arrived in 2012 entitled “Dark Roots of Earth” and subsequently the live album “Dark Roots of Thrash” in 2013.

Formed in Richmond, Virginia, US, Municipal Waste were quick to make an impact, inciting a small riot after their debut performance at a New Year’s Eve party in 2000/2001. Featuring Tony “Guardrail” Foresta (lead vocals), Ryan Waste (guitars), Land Phil (bass) and Dave Witt (drums), the band became a popular local act, forging a sound reminiscent of Suicidal Tendencies, early Corrosion Of Conformity and Nuclear Assault.

Having spent their early years recording demo after demo, they soon garnered the attention of Earache Records who signed them to their roster. Their debut, 2004’s “Waste Them All,” was an instant success amongst metal fans, gaining widespread critical acclaim. High profile support slots for Converge and the Red Chord followed, before their second record, “Hazardous Mutation,” in 2005.

Finding fans in Europe, Municipal Waste capitalised on this, touring widely and becoming recognised names in the global metal community. Their third record, “The Art Of Partying,” saw a 2007 release, before embarking on a headline tour of Europe, making appearances at Reading and Leeds Festival in the UK and Waken Open Air in Germany. 2009’s “Massive Aggressive” was their last release on Earache Records, moving to Nuclear Blast for their fifth full-length, “The Fatal Feast,” in 2012.

With a name like Dying Fetus, it probably goes without saying that anybody who likes to while away their spare time watching videos of cute kittens on YouTube is best advised to steer well clear. You’ll certainly struggle to find anything in the vein of ‘Walkin’ on Sunshine’ in their back catalogue, but what you might uncover - assuming you’re that way inclined - is a slew of some of the most impressive technical death metal records of the past couple of decades. The Maryland trio - comprised currently of John Gallagher, the only remaining founding member, on guitar and vocals, Sean Beasley on bass and vocals and Trey Williams behind the kit - are among the pioneers of this particularly complex offshoot of the death metal genre.

Their records, which include the likes of 2007’s ‘War of Attrition’, 2009’s ‘Descend into Depravity’ and 2012’s ‘Reign Supreme’, are characterized by intense, furious guitar work, Gallagher’s hellish vocal delivery, and unerringly sophisticated percussive work. The former two of those records introduced a move, in the group’s sound, towards groove-based metal, but with ‘Reign Supreme’, they made the decision to return to their roots - much to the delight of their international fanbase, which they regularly perform in front of - the band are regular fixtures on both the U.S. and UK touring circuits.