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.
One of the originators of Heavy Metal and just a fantastic band to experience live in concert! Over the years I have been lucky enough to experience many Testament concerts and have been impressed every time!
The concert has such a good crowd, that true Heavy Metal crowd, diehards, who just really love the band and normally have been following them for some time. This is the concert crowd that I really enjoy! Once the show starts they really know how to have a good time, how to mosh and get a bit crazy, but at the same time, taking efforts to not injure anyone, and to help anyone up that hits the floor by accident. The pit at a Testament show is really a lot of fun and a pit one can go into without too many worries of getting beat up too badly!
As for Testament themselves, well, they just own that stage! From the first lick on the guitar, its a frenzy of Metal and speed, and high powered energy! Testament truly knows how to rock a stadium and blow a crowd away! The speakers are set as loud as possible and its almost mind numbing, but in a good way! By the end of the show, I'm usually one big sweaty mess, with the biggest smile on my face and as happy as can be! The stage show itself is just a straight forward metal show! No need for stage props or other things, just the guys and their instruments ready to blow their fans away!!
Municipal Waste was a beast of a show. To get to see these guys play live was brutal and insane. Coming out of the south, these guys are thrash gods.
From the moment they hop on the stage, the crowd is already anticipating the destruction of the beautiful silence. The tension is in the air massive, and the audience is ready to begin their mosh pit and enjoy the crazy music.
When the band finally gets out on the stage, they are prepared to get this crowd hyped up and they do not disappoint. Within seconds, the band is unleashing thrash riffs of doom and a circle pit starts from the moment the first guitar gallop rings through the air. The riffs flying from the guitarist's axe are angry and full of aggression and angst. The bassist does an amazing job to keep up with these riffs and slaps down a huge aura of speed and aggression as well. The front man of the band Tony Foresta makes short work of any anticipation that anybody had and begins his wild vocal style. He yells and screams like an angry drill sergeant and the tone is fantastic.
This band really shreds together and put on a great live show.
That show was a night to remember. Not only the bands were awesome, Immolation gave us plenty of songs to enjoy, with multiple encore. The crowd was psyched and an illustrious artist honoured with his presence this death metal party: Luc Lemay from Gorguts came to see his old friends Immolation and, from what I've seen, had a hell of a good time too. Plenty of merch, gorgeous music, superb musicians. If the chance comes to you to see those bands, don't miss! This is the real thing.
rf-sebastien
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