Music > Live Reviews

Testament

The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA

05/04/18

Of the many gigs I go to every year all too few could be considered an old school metal show, but this one absolutely fitted the bill. Arriving just as Poland’s Vader were playing their opening song, it was quite a contrast from the broad daylight outside. Filthy and raw, channelling the sound of early black and death metal, like a turbo-charged Motorhead meets Venom, they did themselves proud. Celebrating a career stretching back 25 years, they were full on and at 30 minutes long their slot was just enough to get the night off to a formidable start. Props too for the upside cross/spiky chain mic stand - METAL

Next, nominally from Canada, Annihilator. Essentially a vehicle for guitarist/vocalist Jeff Waters, they themselves have been around since the mid-eighties and their sound is thrash meets speed with more than a dash of melody, and they were brilliant. Not as technical as I expected, in fact at times downright gnarly, I found them to be hugely entertaining. With a guitarist and bassist who just could not stop goofing around, they were not about taking themselves too seriously, and Waters was a dynamic, gurning frontman. In fact I find it hard to believe he ever bothered having singers fronting the band over the years, his voice was great and his guitar playing was as good as you will see. King Of The Kill was the perfect opener and when they ended their all too brief set with the classics Alison Hell & Phantasmagoria the whole crowd had been completely won over. I’ve enjoyed delving into their back catalogue and would happily have watched them for longer - very impressed.

I last saw Testament opening for Anthrax way back in 1987. Along with Exodus they are rightly considered the biggest of the first wave of thrash bands outside of the big 4, and they have weathered the changing musical landscapes over the decades, emerging with dignity intact with a whole new generation of fans. In guitarist Alex Skolnick and drummer Gene Hoglan they have two of the most revered musicians in metal, and they made every effort with the stage presentation. Huge backdrop, red eyed Testament skulls towering over each side of the stage and incredible lights it was just about as big as a show as you will ever get at the LCR. The venue was a little over half full but all night the crowd had been completely into it and things went up several notches as Testament launched into their opening salvo of new album title track Brotherhood Of The Snake, Rise Up and the awesome Pale King. Stopping for Skolnick’s guitar solo less than half an hour into it felt a little early, but when you know it’s someone who quit Testament and studied jazz, it was never going to be anything less than entertaining. After another four or five tracks second guitarist Eric Peterson took his solo, providing me with ample time to stroll to the loo, grab a pint and arrive back just as he was finishing. Then Hoglan did his drum solo, and great though it was he’d more than showcased his immense skills during the regular set. By the time Steve Di Giorgio started his bass solo someone to my left shouted - you’re taking the piss, and he had a point. Every solo meant the set had to build up momentum again and it detracted from what was mostly totally brilliant music.

Solos finally out of the way the run to the end of the night was masterly and by the time final song Over The Wall arrived I was in 80s thrash heaven. This was comfortably gig of the year so far and an almost faultless example of how to present live metal. Much as I loved Testament though I’d have much rather seen them play a solo-less 75 minutes, been left wanting more and had a longer time with Annihilator. Still, for £20 all three bands more than gave us value for our mayhem.