Besides a handful of bands rising to stardom from the ‘80s, most metal groups from that era are not around today, let alone releasing new albums, or performing live shows.
Formed in 1983 (under the name Legacy), and led by vocalist Chuck Billy, thrash metalers Testament have shone through thick and thin from various lineup changes and personal battles, existing as a proud entity influencing bands of their genre today.
One of two original members and guitarist Alex Skolnick is stoked to still be touring with Testament and recently wound up a series of shows across the U.S. with Melbourne thrash metal exports 4Arm. “They’re a great band, really doing their own thing” Skolnick admits.
“You can definitely hear some classic influences (in their music) including us which is flattering, but they really have their own sound.” The crowds really enjoyed 4Arm and responded to the band well at the Testament headline shows.
“Sometimes you pick a support group and it doesn’t always work out, sometimes your fans don’t necessarily relate to it, but I think in this case it worked out really well.”
Testament recorded video footage at one of their shows earlier this year and have just released The Dark Roots Of Thrash double-disc DVD. “It was recorded in Long Island, New York and we performed a setlist from all different periods of the band’s existence.” The guitarist is content with how the footage turned out. “It really feels like we captured Testament at this point in time.”
“Rock and metal, it hasn’t aged as well.”
Skolnick is pleased with the venue choice to record the DVD after having various options on tour. “We liked the size of it and it was also the day after we played in New York City” – a daunting gig; “so it didn’t add to the pressure of playing in New York with all the press and everything.”
For a band to withstand decades of trend changing in the musical dimension, the crowd demographic has remained unexpectedly young.
“It feels great because I think that the two records that we’ve done after a long break [hiatus of 1993-2003], are still current, they don’t feel dated and it seems like somehow our music has aged well.”
Skolnick divulges into a philosophical explanation as to his fascination with how bands like Testament have survived all of these years compared to some of the smaller and more popular glam metal bands like Warrant and Winger of the ‘80s and ‘90s era.
“Rock and metal, it hasn’t aged as well” – besides a few big names “and a lot of the bands around were much more successful (bigger record sales) back then, and they are strangely unappreciated today whereas our genre of music wasn’t as appreciated back then.”
Upon reflection, Skolnick discloses that the band is doing well today. “We’re able to play some big shows and festivals and I see other bands of the same time period that were all over MTV back then and are struggling now so it’s very interesting.”
To the crux of his argument, the 45-year old concludes – “nobody could have predicted that there’s this whole new generation that is really appreciating what we’re doing.”
Skolnick salutes the deceased legends of metal over the years through interconnected thoughts of the state of thrash metal in 2013. “There have been a lot of casualties, like Paul Baloff who comes to mind. He was the original singer of Exodus [thrash metal band formed in 1980], which included Kirk Hammett [Metallica guitarist] for some time.”
Baloff is one of the metalers that spiritually lives on for the bands who were influenced by him according to Skolnick. “He was a live performer and virtuosic singer. He influenced so many bands but he is somebody who is sort of only known by insiders today.”
The guitarist compares the situation to that of Jeff Hanneman [Slayer] who recently passed from liver failure, which shocked the metal world. “These tragedies continue but subsequently there’s a growing audience listening to the music and there’s a devotion and loyalty which is reaching people in that crucial age which keeps it going.”
“[Soundwave] is a festival we’ve wanted to do for a long time and it just only recently worked out, and what a fabulous lineup it is.”
In Australia, this crucial age demographic will be attending the national Soundwave festival to see Skolnick and his band mates in full form. “That’s a festival we’ve wanted to do for a long time and it just only recently worked out, and what a fabulous lineup it is.” The last time Testament played in Australia was on a three-string east-coast tour in 2010.
Being open to the idea performing at some sidewaves, the musician is just satisfied to be seeing some other high-calibre bands on the bill. “I’ve always been a fan of Alice in Chains so I’m excited to see them.” In terms of Green Day (headliner), Skolnick expectedly admits he is not too enthralled or excited. “I appreciate what they do, but of course I will be keen to check out some more of the metal bands.”
Skolnick is pumped to check out GWAR who will also be on the Soundwave lineup, all the way from Virginia, USA. “I’ve seen GWAR live many times before and it’s always an experience. I’m good friends with Dave Brockie [GWAR vocalist; AKA Oderus Urungus].” He describes the live show as simultaneously shocking and hilarious.”
With many exciting bands playing Soundwave, it is most important to note that Testament will be there to play material old and new. “When seeing us perform live, it’s not like seeing a classic band; it’s never a situation of ‘oh if only you saw them back in their early days’ because we’re actually so much better now and we perform all different periods of the band.”
Skolnick assures that fans will be pleased with the festival shows. “There will be more recent material but we’ll be revisiting older songs too and making them sound great, I think it’s going to be a very exciting time.”
Dark Roots Of Thrash is out now.
Soundwave 2014 Lineup
Green Day
Avenged Sevenfold
Stone Temple Pilots (with Chester Bennington)
Megadeth
Alice In Chains
Rob Zombie
Megadeth
Placebo
AFI
KoRn
Alterbridge
Trivium
Down
DevilDriver
Newsted
Biffy Clyro
Rocket From The Crypt
Asking Alexandria
Clutch
Alkaline Trio
Baroness
Five Finger Death Punch
August Burns Red
Testament
Living Color
Letlive
Motionless In White
Gwar
Black Dahlia Murder
MushroomHead
Finch
Pulled Apart By Horses
Ill Nino
Nancy Vandal
Bowling For Soup
Trash Talk
Skindred
Volbeat
Amon Amarth
Terror
Whitechapel
TesseracT
The Story So Far
Hardcore Superstar
10 Years
Walking Papers
Our Last Night
Coliseum
Your Demise
Heaven’s Basement
Real Friends
+ more to be announced.
Soundwave 2014 Dates & Tickets
Tickets on sale Thrusday 9th September at 9am
via: soundwavefestival.com, oztix.com.au & other outlets
Saturday 22nd February – Brisbane, RNA Showgrounds
Sunday 23rd February – Sydney, Olympic Park
Friday 28th February – Melbourne, Flemington Racecourse
Saturday 1st March – Adelaide, Bonython Park
Monday 3rd March – Perth, Claremont Showgrounds
