Testament Reveal ‘Brotherhood Of The Snake’ Cover Art

TESTAMENT

Reveal ‘Brotherhood Of The Snake’ Cover Art!

Testament - Brother Of The Snake

 

Legendary bay area thrash metal giants TESTAMENT have revealed the cover artwork for their upcoming 12th album, ‘Brotherhood Of The Snake’, which will be released on October 28th, 2016 via Nuclear Blast.

The expressional cover was created by renowned artist Eliran Kantor who also created the artwork for TESTAMENT‘s last album, ‘The Dark Roots Of Earth’, and has also worked for bands such as HatebreedSoulfly and Kataklysm in the past.

The album was recorded under the watchful eyes of producer Juan Urteaga (Exodus, Heathen, Machine Head), guitarist Eric Peterson and singer Chuck Billy and was mixed and mastered by well-known metal producer Andy Sneap (Accept, Arch Enemy, Cradle Of Filth, Kreator, Machine Head, Megadeth).

Peterson commented:
“It’s very diverse, but it’s very epic. There’s nothing on there that breeds commercial. And I think for thirty years of recording music and trying different formulas and stuff, we’ve found a formula that is very metal. I think for the metal fan that is looking for something, for the nooks and crannies… not just your normal, ‘Oh, it’s got a thrash beat and a riff.’ There’s a lot going on here.”

“It’s different. This one is more thrash. I mean, this has got some of the fastest stuff that we have ever played. Usually, we have one or two thrash songs, and then we have some mid-tempo, and then we have a slow, heavy one, and then up-tempo kind of stuff. Half of the new record is thrash, which we’ve never done before.”

“It’s kind of like ‘Demonic’ and ‘The Gathering’, but a little bit wiser. Chuck’s not singing so death. I mean, he does some death stuff but he’s singing more like he did on the last record and then with the craziness of ‘The Gathering’ or even heavy stuff like ‘Demonic’.”

Testament are planning to celebrate the release of ‘Brotherhood Of The Snake’ on their upcoming UK/Ireland tour with Amon Amarth and Grand Magus this autumn.

Tour dates are as follows:
(w. Amon Amarth & Grand Magus)

31st October @ Manchester, Academy

1st November @ Glasgow, O2 ABC

2nd November – Dublin, Vicar Street

4th November – London, Roundhouse

5th November – Birmingham, O2 Academy

 

Testament were one of the first thrash metal band to emerge from the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980’s, originally formed as ‘Legacy’ in 1983 by founding members Eric Peterson (rhythm guitar), Derrick Ramirez (guitar) and Louie Clemente (drums), the line-up included vocalist Steve Souza and Greg Christian (bass). Ramirez was later replaced by renowned player Alex Skolnick (lead guitar). Souza soon departed to join Exodus and suggested that the imposing Chuck Billy take over as frontman. The band became known as‘Testament’ 3 years later while recording their debut album in Ithaca, New York. The Legacy’ was a brutal introduction in 1987, putting Testament at the forefront of the flourishing thrash metal scene.

 

Following ‘Live At Eindhoven’, an EP recorded at Holland’s Dynamo Festival, The New Order’ (1988) was very well received, producing one of the band’s most memorable classics‘Disciples Of The Watch’. Next came the highly successful ‘Practice What You Preach’ (1989), then the release of ‘Souls Of Black’ (1990) coinciding with the famed European ‘Clash Of The Titans’ tour with Slayer, Megadeth and Suicidal Tendencies – which helped cement their place in thrash royalty.
Testament signed with Nuclear Blast in 2007 and have since released two critically acclaimed studio albums; ‘The Formation of Damnation’ (2008) and ‘Dark Roots Of Earth’(2012).

Testament (Photo Credit - Gene Ambo)
Testament (Photo Credit – Gene Ambo)

 

About Louise Swift

I first went to a gig in 1981, Gillan at Leeds University. I've been a regular gig goer ever since. I haven't kept count of how many gigs I've been to over the intervening years, but it's a lot! My favourite bands are AC/DC then, in no particular order, Anti-Nowhere League, Slaughter and the Dogs, Towers of London and Dirt Box Disco. I tend to like Glam/Punk and rude offensive lyrics, not sure what that says about me but as Animal would say 'So What!' The question was recently put to me - did I write for any online publications? My reply - No, but I'd like to! Planetmosh was suggested and I found myself offering to review Aces High Festival. Easy peasy I thought! Well not quite, if a jobs worth doing it's worth doing well! I had sixteen bands to research. I found I actually enjoyed that and it kept me too busy to be making lunatic comments on Facebook! ;) Then I felt a bit inadequately qualified. I mean, who am I to comment on others, when my musical expertise extends to being able to play a mean Greensleeves on the recorder and a passable Annie's song on the flute! Haven't picked up either instrument for years! What I do have, however, is over 30 years of experience as a gig goer, so I can comment on what I like and what I don't! It's only my opinion and, if I don't like a band it doesn't mean they are bad, just not to my own liking. I admire anyone who has the guts to get up on that stage and have a go!