Way back in the forgotten age of 1990, Testament were a supporting band on the Clash of the Titans tour, headlined by Anthrax, Slayer, and Megadeth. Now, here in the dark future of 2024, they’re co-headlining Klash of the Titans, along with German Thrash icons, Kreator. On the evening of October 24, with only three shows remaining in the tour, Testament held the closing slot. Their set was dedicated to the band’s first two albums, almost-exclusively playing songs from those classic releases. The sole exception - - which was apparently a special in Southwestern cities, in honor of the strong local Native American population - - was “Native Blood,” from the “Dark Roots of the Earth” album.
No one enjoys themselves more onstage than Chuck Billy. I saw him earlier this year with Metal Allegiance, and on both occasions, he brought the energy and exuberance of a man thirty years younger. This positivity exuded from the entire band, throughout the entire set.
And lord, what a set it was.
The deep cuts and better-knowns from “The Legacy” and “The New Order” sounded fresh and vivacious, Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson played their parts with precision and high energy, stoking the crowd into a frenzy.
It was a set full of highlights, but the standouts were “Apocalyptic City,” “Trial By Fire,” “Disciples of the Watch,” and “Do or Die.”
Kreator’s stage props have to be the most impressive I’ve ever seen in a club. The three massive demon statues looked realistic and menacing, imposing their presence over the band. Mille is simply ageless. He’s been doing this for over forty years, but he can still belt out these high-powered vocals with the same ferocity we heard on the albums in the 80s. If you’ll indulge a complaint, there are at least 4 personal Kreator favorites that got omitted, but that’s part of the challenge of having such an extensive catalogue of classic songs. The highlights of their set were “Hate Uber Alles,” “Betrayer,” “Phantom Antichrist,” and “Pleasure to Kill.”
But wait - - the secret weapon on this tour is the opening act, Thrash and Death Metal legends, Possessed. Jeff Becerra is another one who just brings so much joy to the stage, smiling wide while singing “Burn the fucking world.” His gruff voice is as commanding as ever. They ran through a few from the seminal “Seven Churches” album, plus one other oldie, and a few absolute rippers from the recent “Revelations of Oblivion.” Possessed is tight, through and through, from drums, bass, and guitars to Jeff’s vocals. Claudeous Creamer and Daniel Gonzalez have got to be the most underrated guitar duo in Heavy music. Their leads are on point, as is their dextrous rhythm playing. Highlights: “The Exorcist,” “Death Metal,” “Graven,” and “Demon.”
The mosh pit started up during Possessed's first song and got more intense as the night went on, including two "Walls of Death" during Kreator's set. I haven’t seen so many crowdsurfers at a show in years. Security had their hands full. Thrash Metal mayhem is still running strong, and these veteran acts are carrying the baton for the younger generations to take hold.
Any of these three bands are an experience unto themselves, so it’s a privilege to have the chance to see them all together.
Testament setlist
Eerie Inhabitants
The New Order
Apocalyptic City
Raging Waters
The Preacher
The Haunting
Trial by Fire
First Strike Is Deadly
A Day of Reckoning
Alone in the Dark
Native Blood
Do or Die
Over the Wall
Into the Pit
Kreator setlist
Hate Über Alles
Phobia
Coma of Souls
Enemy of God
666 - World Divided
Hordes of Chaos (A Necrologue for the Elite)
Hail to the Hordes
Betrayer
Satan Is Real
Phantom Antichrist
Strongest of the Strong
Terrible Certainty
The Patriarch
Violent Revolution
Pleasure to Kill
Possessed setlist
Pentagram
Ritual
Tribulation
Graven
The Exorcist
Demon
Death Metal
Swing of the Axe
|
