Charlotte metalheads were in for a real treat this past Sunday as one of the hottest metal tickets of the spring made a stop at the Fillmore. Testament brought their Brotherhood of the Snake Tour to town bringing Sepultura and Prong along for the ride. The fact that it was the Easter holiday didn’t seem to affect attendance as a steady crowd poured into the venue in anticipation of the evening’s show. It seemed there was no better way to burn off those extra calories from all the ham and chocolate bunnies than a night of serious headbanging and moshing.
There was a strong contingent of Prong fans in the crowd as the band kicked off the night of metal with a high energy performance led by guitarist and vocalist Tommy Victor as he played to the crowd encouraging them to get pumped up. It was a solid set and drummer Art Cruz was a stand out behind the kit banging away furiously and making his presence known.
Up next was the Brazilian metal vibe of Sepultura. Vocalist Derrick Green has a commanding onstage presence and guitarist Andreas Kisser is a brilliant combination of technique and fury. There are no original members of the band left and although their performance was great it just doesn’t seem like Sepultura to me without at least one of the Cavaleras in the lineup.
After a short break for final stage preparations, it was the moment everyone was waiting for as Testament hit the stage amid a bevy of red lights, strobes, and billows of smoke. Drummer Gene Hoglan was the first one out as he took his requisite place behind his massive kit set atop a huge riser. Guitarists Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson followed with bassist Steve DiGiorgi as the band launched into the title track from their latest album “Brotherhood of the Snake.”
Frontman Chuck Billy made his appearance center stage and the metal assault began. The immense talent that Testament brings to the table is apparent right away as the members play with amazing speed and precision and seem to do this effortlessly. The band is more than just technically proficient as they put on one hell of a show as well. Bassist Steve DiGiorgi has a onstage personality that could be felt all the way at the back of the venue as he posed and riled up the crowd and nobody in the business can rock the air guitar mic stand quite like Chuck Billy. Skolnick and Peterson are some of the best metal guitarists on the planet and they know how to rock the house. Alex is quite the showman and often played at the edge of the stage holding out his guitar to his side so everyone can see his fretwork up close and personal while Eric blazed away on his flying V flashing the devil horns to the fans every chance he got.
They played five songs off the new album as well as Testament favorites “Low” and “The New Order.” The biggest response of the night was the roof raising “Into The Pit” as the lower level of the venue became a huge moshpit and the crowd-surfers began their never ending quest to make it all the way to the barricade. I was especially excited and impressed to see Testament keeping it old school and allowing for all four musicians to do a solo. These days most bands forgo the solos and it was nice to see this metal tradition alive and well and a rare treat to see Skolnick, Peterson, DiGiorgi, and Hoglan shine on their own.
The band played for just about 90 minutes and closed out the evening with “The New Order.” It wasn’t long before the Test-a-ment! chants began and the band obliged returning for a two song encore as the crowd roared its approval. The atmosphere was ultra intense as they cranked up “Practice What You Preach” before having almost every person in the venue off their feet for “Over the Wall.”
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Instead of the Big 4 of thrash metal, there needs to be a Magnificent 7 because it’s a damn shame that a band like Testament doesn’t always get the recognition they deserve. With top notch tunes and a killer live set, they are truly a force to be reckoned with in the thrash metal world. Become a part of the “Brotherhood” and check out Testament when they make a stop in your town.
Testament setist:
Brotherhood of the Snake
Rise Up
The Pale King
Centuries of Suffering
Guitar Solo (Alex Skolnick)
Electric Crown
Into the Pit
Low
Throne of Thorns
Stronghold
Guitar Solo (Eric Peterson)
Eyes of Wrath
Drum Solo
First Strike Is Deadly
Bass Solo
Urotsukidoji
Souls of Black
Seven Seals
The New Order
Encore:
Practice What You Preach
Over The Wall
We would like to thank Charles Elliott Nuclear Blast Publicity for the credentials to review the show.
