March 25th marked the day that I would not only get to see TESTAMENT headlining a night (finally), but they were also playing the Thrash Metal classics, The Legacy and The New Order TESTAMENT's first two albums in their entirety for one night only!
Now often the term 'best gig I have been to this year' is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but after going to the 'Priest Feast', 'World Magnetic' and 'Killfest' tours (among others) within the last two months, the night always had fierce competition for best gig of the year... but god it may just top it.
Playing in the intimate Carling Islington Academy TESTAMENT fans were always in for a treat, however the night started of badly when the support band, SYLOSIS, took to the stage. I have not for a long time seen such an awful choice of band to open for a headliner. Their brand of (and I quote) 'modern Thrash Metal' is quite simply ... well, not Thrash Metal. I think it was a bad choice; the band had boring riffs, repetitive and predictable song structures and worse of all- the band was fronted by almost a screemo singer. They brought no energy to the crowd and the frontman really didn't know how to get a reaction. Whether TESTAMENT picked this band, or whether it was Metal-Hammers doing (they were hosting_sponsoring the night after all) we will never know, but there are plenty of proper_real_good Thrash bands in the London area who would have put on a great show and given the gods of Thrash a good support set! At least SYLOSIS got the crowd hungry for TESTAMENT.
As soon as TESTAMENT took to the stage one of the best nights emerged. The band ran out onto Over The Wall and then continued to play through their debut album in its entirety- it was quite simply brilliant. Songs like Raging Waters and Alone In The Dark were highlights from the first part of the set, the crowd was singing loud, throwing the horns into the air and banging heads as hard as they could. The best part of any gig is always when the crowd appreciates a band enough that they will sing the guitar parts, this was of course found on Alone In The Dark and Apocalyptic City.
Now my favorite TESTAMENT album has always been The New Order, for me it is one of the perfect Thrash Metal albums and listening the whole thing live was epic. Huge highlight for me was being able to hear such songs as Trial By Fire and The Preacher. Chuck Billy and the lads were on top form all night, saying a few words before most songs (mainly saying it had been years and years since some of the songs had been played live) and any one in the room could tell they really appreciated the reception they received.
During The New Order set we were played a song that wasn't on the album because, in his words, I was very drunk when I sung this song, it never made the record cause I fucked it all up... it did appear luckily on a later EP and that song is Reign Of Terror which was awesome live!
By the time The New Order had been played completely through the band looked very tired but still they found the energy to treat us to two songs off of the new album which while good, it would have been nice to hear Practice What You Preach and something like Electric Crown... but with a show as brilliant as this I really can't complain. The sound was brilliant, the guys were all on top form and really had a good time, I think. Whether it be the laughs and jokes with the crowd, the impromptu moment when they decided to attempt you've got another thing coming (by JUDAS PRIEST) but didn't get more then a minute in cause Chuck couldn't remember the words... all in all a brilliant night.
If you missed this, then you have problems. Chuck was very appreciative of all the fans who had traveled as far as the USA for the night, and I think it was such a special occasion that I hope they don't make a tour out of it... saying that however, if you get a chance to see TESTAMENT headline anywhere, make sure you get a ticket -they are a force to be reckoned with!
Disciples Of The Watch... Obey! is going to be stuck in my head for weeks to come!
