Testament

Biography

Testament is an American thrash metal band founded in 1983 in Berkeley, California, first under the name Legacy. A pillar of the San Francisco Bay Area thrash scene, the band stands out through the powerful voice of Chuck Billy and the technical playing of guitarist Alex Skolnick, backed by founder Eric Peterson. The debut The Legacy (1987) delivered a thrash that was both melodic and ferocious, confirmed by The New Order (1988) and Practice What You Preach (1989). Often regarded as the finest band of the thrash second wave, Testament has carried across the decades, exploring more extreme tones without ever losing its identity. It remains a reliable and deeply respected name in the genre.