Testament, O2 Institute, Birmingham - review
Like Anthrax, who put on a cracking show at this very venue a little over a year ago, Testament have been diligently thrashing their way around the globe for more than 30 years.
Where the two bands differ, is that aside from a few tweaks with enigmatic frontman Chuck Billy’s vocals for a brief period in the 90s, Testament haven’t really strayed too far from the formula they so brilliantly laid down on The Legacy way back in 1987.
It is that dedication to the cause – on top of the fact that their recent material still blows away most of the competition – that sees The Institute jam packed for their return to the city they last played in November 2016.
As with any crew of scene vets, you would expect Testament to know how to work a crowd after all these years, but Billy is possessed with a special ability to get people moving.
This is evident from the moment Testament launch into the title track from 2016’s best thrash metal album Brotherhood of the Snake.
It’s an urgent, balls-to-the-wall headbanger that leads to the forming of the night’s first circle pit, one that continues through Rise Up, The Pale King and the quite brilliant More Than Meets the Eye.
Testament have always been lauded for their musicianship, and those accolades are hard to contest when the band boasts the twin guitar attack of living legends Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson.
They both get a few minutes alone on stage to break up the set, and although the words ‘guitar solo’ can strike fear into the hearts of the most ardent metaller, most people here tonight would happily listen to this pair play for hours.
Skolnick, in particular, nails it, mixing some old school Testament riffs with a touch of Hendrix and Black Sabbath, the latter in an obvious nod to his surroundings which yields a loud roar from the crowd.
On this short tour the band has decided to play some oldies that don’t usually make it onto the set list, and tonight we get the title track from 1994 album Low.
By this stage Billy is almost acting as a third guitarist, strumming away on his two-foot-long mic stand with wild abandon.
He utilises said ‘instrument’ to great effect at the start of the classic Into The Pit, standing stage front and using it as a giant ladle as if stirring the pit into action.
Setlist-wise Testament get the balance spot on – no easy task for a band with such an extensive back catalogue to choose from.
Having said that, few of those here tonight will criticise them for bottom-loading the set with classics from the band’s early days.
It is the likes of debut album thrasher First Strike Is Deadly, Souls of Black, Disciples of the Watch, Practice What You Preach and brilliant set closer Over the Wall that really hit the mark.
Testament seem to be playing out more than ever lately, and hopefully it won’t be too long before we see the trash titans back in Brum.
