TESTAMENT singer Chuck Billy Says band wants to have new album recorded by July
Speaking with Michael Spedden of the 97 Underground, TESTAMENT vocalist Chuck Billy discussed the band’s plans for the coming months, including an update on a timeline for the recording of the group’s new studio album.
He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “That’s the norm. We usually go to Europe every summer. So right now we’re on kind of a time restraint because we’re working on a new record. We’re writing it right now. And we have to get it done and record it before we leave in July. That’s our goal. So right now we’re working hard on that.
“So there’s only a few shows before July, which is these two one-offs, the special shows we’re gonna do in Connecticut and West Virginia; one’s at the Foxwoods and one’s at Hollywood Casino. And those shows we’re gonna play [TESTAMENT‘s first two albums] ‘The Legacy’ and ‘The New Order’ in their entirety, because in March we’re gonna re-release those on Nuclear Blast Records.
“So, we really wanna take time off, get a break from writing a record — come out, celebrate these early records with us — and then get right back in the studio and finish recording. So, we’re looking forward to it. Going out and playing live is what we do. We love it. So to take a break and go do some fun stuff like this, we’re looking forward to it.”
Earlier this month, TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick told radio station 96.7 KCAL-FM about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to 2020’s “Titans Of Creation” album, saying: “Well, we got delayed a little bit by the fact that 2020 basically didn’t exist [due to the coronavirus pandemic]. It’s a year that went away. And then there was so much touring to make up for. And for about a year of that, we had Dave Lombardo [ex-SLAYER] on drums, which was fantastic.
“And he’s become a great friend and a great musician, but he’s also spread very thin in many different bands. And now we have Chris Dovas [playing drums with us]. And he’s a guy old enough to be any of our sons. But he is just unbelievable. He really brings the right energy. I mean, he brings the energy that the music had in the early days. So, yeah, we’ve been working with him on new material. I know Eric‘s [Peterson, TESTAMENT guitarist] been getting together with him. Eric has been on the East Coast a couple of times and we’ve gotten together and hashed out material.
“So between their sessions and my sessions and the recordings that we have, there’s a lot of sketches that are done on digital audio workstations. There’s a lot — there’s a lot of stuff. I made a list and there’s almost a couple of dozen sketches that just need to be consolidated and arranged. [We have to] find the best parts, develop them a little more, add vocals, but it’s definitely well on its way.”
Skolnick added that there was no set timetable for the release of the next TESTAMENT album. “You can’t rush it,” he explained. “I think this band learned very early on, you can’t rush it. Like the times in the past that the band sort of rushed to put out a recording, it never felt completely satisfactory. So sometimes it takes longer than it should, but you can always count on a good result.”
Back in July 2023, Eric Peterson said that he and drummer Chris Dovas had spent a few days working on material for TESTAMENT‘s next record. Eric shared a few photos to his Instagram along with the caption: “Had a very productive week with the kid! Mr. @chrisdovas and I worked up new 7 jam ideas ranging from thrash to nwobhm mixed in w/ black thrash to dark heavy hard rock blues…let’s see what happens! super stoked so far!”
Dovas also posted the same pictures to his social media and added: “New TESTAMENT material in the works! Eric and I have been working hard all week on new ideas. Stoked so far!”
In early 2022, Dave Lombardo, the former SLAYER drummer, officially became a full-time member of TESTAMENT. Lombardo, who previously served as a guest drummer on TESTAMENT‘s 1999 studio album “The Gathering,” is a versatile musician involved in various projects, including being a current member of the MISFITS, MR. BUNGLE, EMPIRE STATE BASTARD, and SATANIC PLANET, among others. He was also part of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES from 2016 until 2020.
Before Lombardo‘s formal inclusion in TESTAMENT, Chris Dovas stepped in as a temporary replacement during the initial six dates of TESTAMENT‘s summer/fall 2022 leg of “The Bay Strikes Back Tour.” Lombardo had scheduling conflicts with the MISFITS, preventing his participation in those specific gigs.
TESTAMENT, a powerhouse in the realm of heavy metal, emerged from the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area thrash scene in the early 1980s. Formed in 1983, the band solidified its lineup with Chuck Billy (vocals), Eric Peterson (guitar), Alex Skolnick (guitar), Greg Christian (bass), and Louie Clemente (drums). Known for their intricate guitar work, aggressive vocals, and socially relevant lyrics, TESTAMENT quickly rose to prominence with their debut album “The Legacy” in 1987. Their sophomore release, “The New Order,” further established their position as a force to be reckoned with in the thrash metal genre.
Over the years, TESTAMENT has weathered the changing tides of the music industry and consistently delivered powerful albums, earning them a dedicated fanbase. Despite lineup changes, the band’s resilience and commitment to their craft have allowed them to endure as one of the enduring pillars of heavy metal. With iconic releases like “Practice What You Preach,” “The Ritual,” and “Dark Roots of Earth,” TESTAMENT continues to tour globally, showcasing their unwavering musical prowess and maintaining their status as torchbearers of the thrash metal legacy.