Testament: Setting Delmar Hall on Thrash Metal Max.
A sold-out, hardcore, “mature,” mainly male crowd crammed into Del Mar Hall Saturday night for a big classic thrash metal extravaganza of noise, lights, thrash classics, demonic props, and even a stadium-sized drum solo.
Testament, the Berkeley-founded quintet, may not be as much of a household name as Metallica, Slayer, or Megadeth, but in the eyes of their fans, they are those bands’ equals, if not superiors. Like those aforementioned, Testament has been at it since the 1980s (1983). They can play as loudly, rapidly, and with as much fury as any thrash metal titans. They are a band that has influenced those mentioned above and more. For 42 years, countless tours, opening slots, headlining slots, personnel changes (only rhythm guitarist Eric Peterson is an original member), the recording and release of 13 LPs, and multiple personal and health challenges, one of the OG titans of Bay Area thrash has persisted and persevered.
Last night was a two-hour testament to this band’s live raw power, showmanship, superior musicianship, and connection to the heavy metal community, especially St. Louis.
Clocking in at two hours, their show featured seldom-heard classics and an “unplugged” acoustic performance of some “ballads” chestnuts from decades ago when long hair and denim still ruled the world. The band ripped through 21 classics, including all of their third breakthrough release, Practice What You Preach, then grabbed the acoustics and stools to perform “Musical Death (A Dirge)” and “The Legacy.”
Testament has a long history with the St. Louis audience. The always affable and smiling singer and frontman, Chuck Billy, spoke about the band’s connection to St. Louis, referencing Mississippi Nights (1976-2007). He also mentioned a club in Sauget (Pop’s Nightclub), where he once enjoyed a steak, Jack, and Coke at the strip club behind Pop’s.
Before introducing another number, Chuck Billy mentioned a premonition he had in his twenties. He claims that he never thought he’d make it beyond 38. Coincidentally, the year he turned 38, he was also diagnosed with a rare form of cancer–Germ Cell Seminoma. He survived and is still rocking audiences around the globe.
Before playing their 17th number, “City of Angels,” Billy described the struggle to finish the song and make it onto their album. Billy recounted, “My friend Del told me not to give up a song I had started but couldn’t finish.” He added, “My friend Del handed me a poem entitled ‘City of Angels.’ I read the words and then sang them, and it came together.”
The show featured blazing lights, an enormous demonic background behind the elevated drum riser, guitarist Alex Skolnick‘s lightning-fast leads, a drum solo from drummer Chris Dovas, booming bass and head thrashing from bassist Steve Di Giorgio, and solid rhythm bottom from OG member Eric Peterson.
Testament, straight up. No filler, all killer, and no opener. For the Testament fan, last night was a show for the books and Rock of Ages.
