“Numerical groupings be damned, perennial underdogs TESTAMENT are the best thrash band still standing.” (Decibel Magazine)
Bay Area thrash metal legends TESTAMENT, are featured on the cover of the latest issue of Decibel Magazine! The interview discusses Dark Roots of Earth, the highly anticipated 10th studio album from TESTAMENT, out now on Nuclear Blast Records. Copies of the magazine can be purchased here: http://store.decibelmagazine.com/collections/back-issues/products/september-2012-095.
The following are excerpts from the interview:
“We’ve always written different records, tried to come up with something new, the ultimate song or whatever,” Billy (note: Chuck Billy – Vocals) continues, speaking to the next battle he and the band are waging. “It’s an endless thing, trying to come up with songs you’re proud of and that the fans like. This record is a different thing, and the level of playing and confidence is different. We used to be more self-conscious about what people thought about ballads and whatnot. This record we have a ballad (‘Cold Embrace’), the title track is heavy, slower and sludgy, and, of course, there are the blast beats.”
“When you do a record after being around this long, you have to be careful,” concludes Peterson (note: Eric Peterson – Guitar) . “This kind of music has been done so many different times and ways, after a while some bands go, ‘Let’s do something totally different. Let’s wear suits. Let’s cut our hair. Let’s smoke cigars. Let’s be a different band and see if it sticks,’” he says with a knowing chuckle. “For us, we just try to get over the fact that we’re playing the same sort of style because that’s what people want to hear. They’re buying a TESTAMENT record, they want to hear a TESTAMENT record. It’s a little bit of both; you try to stay the same, but be different.”
For USA IN-STORE specials on Dark Roots of Earth visit http://bit.ly/testgwp and to order online go to https://www.facebook.com/testamentlegions/app_122951281158671.
‘Join The TESTAMENT Legions’ WebDoc Fan Engagement Campaign https://www.facebook.com/testamentlegions/app_113345305387225! Fans can post their pictures of themselves with the band members and sporting their favorite TESTAMENT merch and tattoos among other things.
Check out the music video for their new single “Native Blood” here: http://youtu.be/l5Ibm8mjSek. The song, whose lyrics are about vocalist Chuck Billy’s Native American heritage, was filmed at the Hopland Indian Reservation in Hopland, Calif. The clip was directed by Mike Sloat (MACHINE HEAD, STAIND).
Video Links:
In-studio video Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VDEzxQ2uiM
In-studio video Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fjdhnWLwew
In-studio video Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kT8OK4aQ2k
In-studio video Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUKdV_EErXM
In-studio video Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLvB2LdBejM.
Part 1 of the “behind-making-of” the “Native Blood” music video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jGitAOIOqg
Dark Roots of Earth 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 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)
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.
TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX, 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
9/19 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox at The Market
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
For more info visit: 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
Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 12:16PM 
