According to guitarist Eric Peterson, TESTAMENT have begun the process of working on their first new material with drummer Dave Lombardo since 1999’s “The Gathering”
Speaking with Bloodstock TV, Peterson said: “I’m gonna start working on some new material, I’ve been working on ideas. But gonna try to put the puzzle together. So yeah, hopefully in late 2023 we’ll have a new record out.”
When asked what it’s like to be playing with drummer Dave Lombardo (ex-SLAYER) again for the first time in over twenty years, Peterson noted that TESTAMENT are definitely a faster band now. “His groove is a lot different,” he said. “I noticed we sped up a little bit, which is a good thing. I like that we’re speeding up.” So who knows – maybe the new record will be at warp speed the entire time.
TESTAMENT singer Chuck Billy also chimed in on the band’s new material, which should hopefully be arriving next year, in a recent interview with SiriusXM‘s Eddie Trunk, saying “We had a great time [playing with Dave Lombardo]. I think he really enjoys playing in the band, enjoys the music. And we’re now talking about, ‘Let’s talk about maybe making a new record.’ So hopefully that’s in the future.”
He added: “Eric has a bunch of music… He’s gotta go all in mentally to create some songs, so after [the second U.S. leg of The Bay Strikes Back tour] we don’t have anything in the books till April. So from November till April, it’s time to get in there and start working on new songs. So hopefully we’ll have a new record out by next year.”