Testament - _First Strike Still Deadly_
    (Spitfire, 2001)
    by: Aaron McKay (8 out of 10)
   
  
    
As you might have guessed from the title, this  new  effort  is  some truly intense (re-done) material from one of the bands that  has  set the thrash metal standard for ages. This is a "best of" album with  a unique twist; Testament reinvented itself and brought  back  line-ups from ages past. Recognize the names Alex Skolnick, John Tempesta  and Steve Souza? You should if you call yourself a Testament fan,  and  I sure as hell do. From the first three efforts, this  -long-  standing Bay Area staple rips though near and dear favs like "Into  the  Pit", "Trial by Fire", "Over the Wall" and "The New Order". Mr. Souza takes center stage on "Alone in the Dark"  and  "Reign  of  Terror"  for  a couple of tracks assured to put a smile on your face and your fist in the fuckin' air! The impregnable Chuck Billy is in faultless form  -- even his backing vocals are incredible and absolute;  a  really  well incorporated (very, very sparingly)  use  of  Billy's  "death  metal" voice from _Demonic_ can be heard now and again. I have  wondered  at various times what it might sound like  to  have  Chuck's  experience applied to  albums  like  _The  New  Order_  (my  favorite  Testament release, by the way). I guess I now have my answer. On another  note, I've always appreciated and respected Alex's guitar style  since  day one, so it is a  rare  and  welcome  privilege  to  have  his  talent demonstrated once again on  this  forcefully  executed  release.  Pay special, close attention to the fantastic ability of  the  rare  demo (re-)recording of "Reign of Terror" -- that much proficiency so  long ago when this band was called The  Legacy  is  nearly  inconceivable. Well worth the price of admission, boys and girls; I am spinning this one a helluva lot. On a personal note, I'd just like to say God bless Mr. Billy and I wish him the speediest of recoveries! [Matthias Noll: "Re-recorded old Testament tracks -- yawn.  Two  with  Zetro -- yeah right, so who gives a damn? Hadn't a  friend  of  mine  bought this, I would have never been tempted to check it out. And  I  would have screwed up big time! In  Paul  (R.I.P.)  Baloff's  words:  this is older than shit, heavier than time! For me "Reign of Terror"  is the best of the eleven tracks and I can't stop fantasizing  about  how cool _The Legacy_  would  have  sounded  with  the  ripping  and  snarling Steve Souza hadn't he joined  Exodus.  If  you've  got  the  slightest interest in thrash metal, then go get this  now,  set  the  volume to eleven, fall  to  your  knees  and  bow  to  these  Thrash  Lords!"][Paul  Schwarz:  "New  performances  with  a  modern  production   of  _Legacy_-era Testament sounded like a  recipe  for  excellence.  And  despite the fact that the new "Over the Wall" is sadly no match  for  its thirteen-year-old original, almost every single one of these new  versions improves on its original, with "Disciples of the Watch" the  crushingly reworked highlight."]
    
   
  
    (article published 12/4/2002)
  
  
  
    
    
    
      
        | GIGS | 
      
      
        | 9/14/1997 | 
        S Hoeltzel | 
        Testament / Stuck Mojo / Strapping Young Lad | 
        Demonic Pigwalk | 
      
    
   
  
  
 
  
   
  
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