TESTAMENT are well on their way when it comes to putting together their next studio album
Speaking with Loud TV at this past weekend’s Hellfest in Clisson, France, TESTAMENT guitarist Eric Peterson discussed the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band’s follow-up to 2020’s “Titans Of Creation” album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “There was a big gap because of COVID. But now we’re getting ready — probably after this [European] tour to go start working on new material. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to that. We have about five, six songs written already, and [I’ll] probably try to finish it up when I get home. And then hopefully record right after we go on tour to Japan. So ’24 should look like a release for TESTAMENT.”
Peterson added that he thought the new TESTAMENT material is sounding “fucking killer.” He said: “I’m a fan. For me, I wouldn’t release anything unless I’m a fan of what I’m doing. I have to get goosebumps. When I hear it, I’m, like, ‘Yeah.’ And then, of course, I play it for friends. A few of them go, ‘Ehh.’ But most of them go, ‘Fuuuck!’ Except Chuck [Billy, TESTAMENT singer] — Chuck goes, ‘Eh.’ And then four years later, [he goes], ‘That’s the best song ever. Write more shit like that.’ I’m, like, ‘Yeah, but four years ago you said that sucked.'”
As for when TESTAMENT will record the new album, Eric said: “Hopefully maybe October, November. If not, probably January, February. But we’re shooting for this year — at the end of the year. I think I’ll be done writing in September. So we just have to wait for vocals. Which can take a while. But we’ll see what happens.”
Peterson also took the opportunity to praise new TESTAMENT drummer Chris Dovas (SEVEN SPIRES), who officially joined the band earlier this year as the replacement for Dave Lombardo.
TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick sat out some of the band’s spring/summer 2023 European tour dates in order to tend to a family emergency. He was replaced on the run of dates by former MACHINE HEAD and current VIO-LENCE guitarist Phil Demmel.