Thrash Metal (Heavy Metal) band from San Francisco, California (USA).
Initially founded as Legacy in 1983 by Eric Peterson (guitar) his cousin Derrick Ramírez (guitar and vocals) and Mike Ronchette (drums). Same year Steve "Zetro" Souza joined as vocalist, Gregg Christian as bassist and Louie Clemente replaced Mike on drums. In 1984 Alex Skolnick replaced Derrick on the guitar and they began rehearsing for their first demo.
In 1985 they recorded their first demo called "First Strike Is Deadly" and in 1986 they changed their name into Testament after parting ways with Zetro (who left to join fellow Bay-area thrashers Exodus) and hooking up with new vocalist Chuck Billy. After the successful debut album "The Legacy" they played the Dynamo festival in Holland and recorded a live EP. Their second album made Testament one of the world's biggest metal bands and a tour was arranged with Megadeth, Voivod, Anthrax, Judas Priest and others. Their third album "Practice What You Preach" sold more than 400,000 copies.
After the release of 1992's "The Ritual", Louie Clemente and lead guitarist Alex Skolnick left the band and were replaced by guitarist Glen Alvelais and drummer Paul Bostaph, both from the band Forbidden. In 1995, after more line up changes which included guitarist James Murphy replacing Alvelais and a few different guys behind the drums, the band was dropped from Atlantic Records and they therefore decided to create their own label called Burnt Offerings Inc. In 1996 Testament split up during the pre-production for the seventh album. Chuck told that he and Eric would form a new band called Dog Faced Gods while James left to do a personal project and Greg formed the band Flangue. However Eric and Chuck soon resurrected the Testament name with various players. 1997's "Demonic" featured founding member Derrick Ramirez (playing bass) and drummer Gene Hoglan. 1999's "The Gathering" saw the return of James Murphy, along with bassist Steve DiGiorgio and former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo.
In 2005, after several years of playing with different line ups and Chuck's battle with cancer, he and Eric reunited with "classic line up" members Alex Skolnick, Greg Christian, and Louie Clemente for a series of show which resulted in the release of a live album. Moving forward, the original members opted to continue working together, with exception of Louie Clemente, who was unable to commit to the band full time and was replaced by ex-Dimmu Borgir drummer Nick Barker. Barker's tenure was brief, as visa problems prevented him from working in the US, and he was replaced by Paul Bostaph.
Testament began recording their new album, Dark Roots of Earth, on June 20, 2011. Paul Bostaph was unable to take part in the recording due to a "serious injury"; however, he was expected to rejoin when the band tours to support the album. Gene Hoglan, who played drums on the band's 1997 album Demonic, filled in for Paul on the drum tracks. It was announced on December 1st that Paul Bostaph left Testament. Gene Hoglan recorded the drums tracks for Dark Roots of Earth and continues to play live with the band. In interviews, Testament have expressed pleasure in Hoglan's playing, and a hope that he will continue with the band for the foreseeable future. In 2014, it was announced that Testament and Greg Christian had parted ways.
Current line up:
Chuck Billy - vocals (1986–present)
Eric Peterson - guitar (1986–present)
Alex Skolnick - guitar (1986–1992, 2001, 2005–present)
Steve DiGiorgio - bass (1998–2004, 2014–present)
An Evening With Testament @ Rialto Theatre
Rialto Theatre-Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
The Hall, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
TempleLive Wichita, Wichita, Kansas, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
Delmar Hall, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
Old National Centre, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Of America
WSOU Presents: An Evening with Testament - Practice What You Preach
Warsaw, Brooklyn, New York, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
The Queen, Wilmington, Delaware, United States Of America
Welcome to Rockville
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
Baltimore Soundstage, Baltimore, Maryland, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
VBC Mars Music Hall, Huntsville, Alabama, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
House of Blues New Orleans , New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
House of Blues San Diego, San Diego, California, United States Of America
TESTAMENT (USA)
The Tivoli, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
TESTAMENT (USA)
Northcote Theatre, Northcote, Victoria, Australia
Testament (USA)
The Gov, Hindmarsh, South Australia, Australia
Testament (USA)
Metropolis Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
Louder Than Life
Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center, Louisville, Kentucky, United States Of America
Aftershock
Discovery Park, Sacramento, California, United States Of America
2024
Church Of Vinyl
7", Single, Pic
2024
Church Of Vinyl
7", Single, Pic
2022
Metal Department
12", S/Sided, Etch, Ltd, Num
2022
Metal Department
12", S/Sided, Etch, Ltd, Num
2021
Metal Department
12", S/Sided, Etch, Ltd, Num
2020
2019
2016
2013
Nuclear Blast
CDr, Promo
2013
2013
2013
2012
Nuclear Blast
DVDr, DVD-V, Single, Promo, PAL, 16:
2012
2012
2012
2010
Nuclear Blast
3xFile, MP3, Single, 256
2009
2008
Nuclear Blast
CD, Promo, Smplr
2008
Nuclear Blast
DVDr, DVD-V, Promo
2008
2007
2005
Not On Label (Testament Self-released)
DVDr, DVD-V
2005
2004
Recall 2cd
2xCD, Comp
2003
Westwood One Radio Networks
2xCDr, Comp, Transcription
2001
2001
1999
1997
1997
1996
1995
1994
Atlantic
CD, Single, Promo
1994
EastWest, Atlantic
CD, Comp, Promo, Car
1994
1994
1993
1992
Rock Ahead
12", Promo
1992
Atlantic
CD, Single, Promo
1992
Atlantic
CD, Single, Promo
1992
1991
1990
Kerrang!
Flexi, 7"
1990
Atlantic, Megaforce Worldwide
CD, Single, Promo
1990
1990
1989
Atlantic, Megaforce Worldwide
CD, Single, Promo
1989
Megaforce Worldwide, Atlantic
12", Promo
1989
Megaforce Worldwide, Atlantic
Cass, Advance, Ltd, Promo
1989
1988
1988
1987
1987
Atlantic, Megaforce Worldwide
VHS
1993
Northern & Shell Publications, MCD Magazine
CD, Comp
2021
Metalrock
DVD-V, 5.1
2020
Metalrock
DVD-V, 5.1
2017
Great Dane Records (2)
CD, Album
2017
2015
Silverdust Records GmbH
DVD-V, PAL
2015
2015
2014
Dying Art Productions
CD, Album
2009
Parkbench Records
11xFile, MP3
2009
Not On Label (DJ Morgoth)
18xFile, MP3, Album, 320
2009
Not On Label (DJ Morgoth)
17xFile, MP3, Comp, 320
2008
2007
Not On Label (DJ Morgoth)
19xFile, MP3, Album, 320
2006
2003
Blackfish Records
CD, Comp
2001
Not On Label (Boarders Self-released)
CDr, MiniAlbum, Promo
2001
1998
Sentianimal
CD, Album, Comp
1996
1995
Simitar
3xVHS, NTSC
1992
1990
2020
RockHard
CD, Comp, Promo
2020
RockHard
CD, Comp, Promo
2020
Rock Tribune Magazine
CD, Comp, Promo
2020
Nuclear Blast
CD
2020
Metallian Editions
CD, Comp
2019
Warner Music Central Europe
3xCD, Comp
2017
Союз
CD, Comp
2017
Metal Hammer
CD, Comp
2017
2016
Pragokoncert
CD, Comp, Promo, Car
2016
RockHard
CD, Comp
2016
RockHard
CD, Comp, Promo
2016
Rock Tribune Magazine
CD, Comp, Promo
2016
Metal Hammer
CD, Comp, Promo
2016
Metal Hammer & Heavy Metal
CD, Comp
2016
Metal Hammer
CD, Comp
2016
Close-Up Magazine
CD, Album, Comp, Promo, Smplr
2016
Not On Label (Gene Hoglan Self-released)
DVD-V
2015
WARNER Music Benelux
4xCD, Comp
2015
Warner Music Group
2xCD, Comp
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
An Evening With Testament @ Rialto Theatre
Rialto Theatre-Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
The Hall, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
TempleLive Wichita, Wichita, Kansas, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
Delmar Hall, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
Old National Centre, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Of America
WSOU Presents: An Evening with Testament - Practice What You Preach
Warsaw, Brooklyn, New York, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
The Queen, Wilmington, Delaware, United States Of America
Welcome to Rockville
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
Baltimore Soundstage, Baltimore, Maryland, United States Of America
An Evening With Testament
VBC Mars Music Hall, Huntsville, Alabama, United States Of America