TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy says the band are working on the follow-up to 2020’s “Titans Of Creation” album
Speaking with Uruguay’s El Lado Oscuro TV, Chuck said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “We’re working on a new record now. So it’s time to put that one behind us and make another one.”
When asked if the next TESTAMENT record will arrive in 2024, Chuck replied: “I think so. We didn’t really book a lot of shows this year. We’re doing Latin America and then we’re doing Europe, and that’s it, and then Japan, a couple of shows. But we’re leaving a lot of the schedule open so we can get a lot of the music done. And hopefully by the end of the year we’ll get into the studio and start recording, so we’ll have a release hopefully early next year.”
Discussing his relationship with TESTAMENT guitarist Eric Peterson, Billy said: “Well, I mean, at this point he’s like my little brother. We argue and fight like brothers. [Laughs] But I think I’m very fortunate and lucky to have Eric as a writing partner for so many years because Eric really is the heart of TESTAMENT as far as song creation goes, because Eric doesn’t listen to a lot of other bands, like modern stuff; he listens to his black or some older-style stuff.
“So when he writes music, he really writes just what he wants, and I think that’s what always gave TESTAMENT our own sound, because Eric’s never strayed away from what he does. And he’s always took it a step further and created better songs. And it makes it easier for me, and I think after working for so many years, we have a good relationship as far as songwriters; he’ll write something and know what I can do and I’ll have a suggestion knowing what he can do and what works. So I think, at this point, our songwriting is a lot easier and better now.”
He added: “The ‘Brotherhood Of The Snake‘ [2016] was a difficult record. That took two years. So it all depends how Eric’s feeling or if he’s got ideas, which that record took, like two years. ‘Titans Of Creation‘ worked a lot faster; he had much more ideas. So it’s really on how much inspired Eric is to create the new stuff, ’cause we all have to wait for that. So if Eric’s excited and inspired, then it comes quick.”
Drummer Dave Lombardo recently revealed in an interview with BLABBERMOUTH.NET that he would be sitting out the remainder of TESTAMENT‘s 2023 scheduled shows, while his future with the band remains uncertain.
Lombardo, who played drums on TESTAMENT‘s 1999 studio album “The Gathering“, reunited with the band last year after the departure of drummer Gene Hoglan.
TESTAMENT is currently touring South America with drummer Chris Dovas (SEVEN SPIRES), who previously filled in for Lombardo on the first six dates of TESTAMENT’s summer/fall 2022 leg of “The Bay Strikes Back Tour“.
TESTAMENT‘s “Klash Of The Titans” tour of Latin America with KREATOR kicked off on April 19 in Lima, Peru and will run through May 9 in San Salvador, El Salvador.
