List of Testament members
History
1983–1997
Formed under the name Legacy in 1983 by cousins
Also in 1986, the band was signed by Megaforce Records and subsequently changed its name to Testament, due to another band using the name Legacy.[2] The group's lineup remained stable until October 1992, when Skolnick left due to musical differences and was replaced by Glen Alvelais, formerly of Forbidden.[3][4] Clemente also left at the same time, with his place taken by Forbidden drummer Paul Bostaph.[5] By April the following year, Bostaph had been replaced by former Exodus drummer John Tempesta,[6] and by early 1994 Alvelais' lead guitarist role had been taken over by James Murphy.[7]
After recording the band's sixth studio album
1997–2011
In 1997, Testament returned with
Jon Allen took over from Jacobs in early 2000.[17] The following year, Billy, Peterson and Di Giorgio released First Strike Still Deadly, a collection of early songs re-recorded with former guitarist Alex Skolnick and drummer John Tempesta, as well as early vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza on two tracks.[18] After several temporary breaks from the group due to family issues, Allen left Testament in February 2004 and was replaced by the returning Paul Bostaph.[19] Just two months later, Smyth also left to join Nevermore and was replaced by former Halford guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak.[20][21]
In February 2005, it was announced that Billy and Peterson would be reuniting with Skolnick, bassist Greg Christian, and drummers Louie Clemente and John Tempesta for a European tour.[22][23] In summer 2006, Clemente was forced to leave the tour due to medical reasons, with Bostaph returning again to take his place as the sole drummer.[24] By the end of the year, Nicholas Barker had taken over on drums.[25] In October 2007, Bostaph returned to Testament for his fourth tenure in the group, who released their first album of new material in eight years, The Formation of Damnation, in 2008.[26]
Since 2011
In June 2011, Gene Hoglan returned to Testament in time for the recording of Dark Roots of Earth, which was released the next year.[27] In January 2014, Christian was replaced by Steve Di Giorgio.[28] The lineup of Billy, Peterson, Skolnick, Hoglan and Di Giorgio recorded two albums, Brotherhood of the Snake (2016) and Titans of Creation (2020), before Hoglan once again left the band in January 2022.[29] Nearly two months later, he was replaced by The Gathering-era drummer Dave Lombardo, who rejoined Testament right before the band's US tour in support of Titans of Creation.[30] In 2023, Dave Lombardo was replaced by current drummer Chris Dovas.
Members
Current
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eric Peterson
|
1983–present |
|
all Testament releases | |
Alex Skolnick |
|
|
all Testament releases from the Legacy Demo (1985) to Return to the Apocalyptic City (1993) – features on two tracks only, and from First Strike Still Deadly (2001) onwards | |
Chuck Billy | 1986–present | lead vocals | all Testament releases from The Legacy (1987) onwards | |
Steve Di Giorgio |
|
|
| |
Chris Dovas |
|
drums | none |
Former
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Greg Christian |
|
|
all Testament releases from the Legacy Demo (1985) to "Rapid Fire" (1997), and from Live in London (2005) to Dark Roots of Thrash (2013) | |
Derrick Ramirez |
|
|
Demonic (1997) | |
Steve "Zetro" Souza | 1983–1986 | lead vocals |
| |
Louie Clemente |
|
drums |
| |
Mike Ronchette | 1985–1986 | Legacy Demo (1985) | ||
Glen Alvelais |
|
lead and rhythm guitar |
| |
Paul Bostaph |
|
drums |
| |
John Tempesta |
|
| ||
James Murphy |
|
lead and rhythm guitar |
| |
Jon Dette |
|
drums | Live at the Fillmore (1995) | |
Chris Kontos | 1995–1996 | "Rapid Fire" (1997) | ||
Gene Hoglan |
|
| ||
Dave Lombardo |
|
The Gathering (1999) | ||
Steve Smyth | 1999–2004 | lead and rhythm guitar | none | |
Steve Jacobs | 1999–2000 | drums | ||
Jon Allen | 2000–2004 | |||
Nicholas Barker | 2006–2007 |
Touring
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Asgeir Mickelson | 2003 | drums | Mickelson substituted for Allen for a European tour, due to his ongoing "personal family issues".[31] | |
"Metal" Mike Chlasciak | 2004–2005 | lead guitar | Chlasciak was substituted following the release of Steve Smyth of his duties, thus filled the remaining touring obligations of the following year. | |
Glen Drover | 2008 | Drover substituted for Skolnick on a Mexican tour in 2008, and for a North American tour in 2010.[32][33] | ||
Mark Hernandez | 2012 | drums | Hernandez filled in for Hoglan on a European tour in November and December 2012.[34] | |
Jack Gibson | 2013 | bass | Gibson filled in for Christian on a North American tour in November 2013.[35] | |
Tilen Hudrap | 2015 | Hudrap and Bent replaced DiGiorgio and Hoglan respectively in 2015.[36] | ||
Alex Bent | drums | |||
Phil Demmel | 2023 | lead guitar | Demmel replaced Skolnick for part of the bands 2023 European tour.[37][38] |
Timeline
Lineups
Period | Members | Releases |
---|---|---|
1983 – 1985 (as Legacy) |
|
none |
1985 (as Legacy) |
|
|
1986 – October 1992 (as Legacy until 1987) |
|
|
November 1992 – April 1993 |
|
|
April 1993 – early 1994 |
|
none |
Early – September 1994 |
|
|
September 1994 – 1995 |
|
|
1995–1996 |
|
|
Late 1996 – early 1997 |
|
|
Spring 1997 – spring 1998 |
|
|
Spring 1998 – summer 1999 |
|
|
Summer 1999 – early 2000 |
|
none |
Early 2000 – February 2004 |
|
|
February – April 2004 |
|
none |
April 2004 – March 2005 |
| |
March 2005 – July 2006 |
|
|
July – late 2006 |
|
none |
Late 2006 – October 2007 |
| |
October 2007 – June 2011 |
|
|
June 2011 – January 2014 |
|
|
January 2014 – February 2022 |
|
|
March 2022 – June 2023 |
|
none |
July 2023 – Present |
|
none |
References
- ^ Zetro's Toxic Vault - Eric Peterson (Legacy Days) September 8th 2020 1 of 2. YouTube. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c Dome, Malcolm (April 21, 2014). "The Knowledge: Testament". Metal Hammer. TeamRock. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ "TPRS Classic Interview: Alex Skolnick of Testament". The Pure Rock Shop. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ Fabricus, Jodie (September 25, 1992). "Metal Filings" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 295. Medford, New Jersey: Hard Report, Inc. p. 54. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ "More Hard Rock/Heavy Metal" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 319. Medford, New Jersey: Hard Report, Inc. April 2, 1993. p. 48. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Cooper, Mike (April 23, 1993). "Music Now!" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 322. Medford, New Jersey: Hard Report, Inc. p. 56. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Fabricus, Jodie (February 4, 1994). "Metal Filings" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 360. Medford, New Jersey: Hard Report, Inc. p. 38. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Fabricus, Jodie (September 2, 1994). "Metal Filings" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 390. Medford, New Jersey: Hard Report, Inc. p. 42. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Snow, Drew (December 8, 1997). "Thrash Up Yo Ass, Muthafucka: CoC chats with Testament". Chronicles of Chaos. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ Smart, Noel (November 2010). "Interview With Chris Kontos – Ex: Machine Head / Testament". Sick Drummer. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ a b Begrand, Adrien (May 21, 2008). "New Testament Versus Old". PopMatters. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ Syrjala, Marko (December 17, 2013). "Interview with Jon Dette – Iced Earth, Animetal USA, ex- Testament, Anthrax, Slayer etc". Metal-Rules.com. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "James Murphy". Metal-Rules.com. June 27, 1998. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ O'Neill, Eamonn (April 2018). "Testament Steve Di Giorgio eonmusic Interview April 2018". eonmusic.co.uk. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ Malusardi, Guglielmo (November 2008). "Interview: Steve Smyth". Guitar Nine. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Testament". Testament. Archived from the original on February 29, 2000. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Testament". Testament. Archived from the original on April 8, 2000. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Testament: 'First Strike Still Deadly' To Be Reissued". Blabbermouth.net. March 1, 2008. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Former Slayer Drummer Paul Bostaph Joins Testament". Blabbermouth.net. February 15, 2004. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Testament Confirm Guitarist Steve Smyth's Departure". Blabbermouth.net. April 20, 2004. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "It's Official: 'Metal Mike' Chlasciak Is The New Testament Guitarist". Blabbermouth.net. April 27, 2004. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Testament To Embark On 'Reunion' Tour". Blabbermouth.net. February 17, 2005. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ "Testament Frontman Comments On 'Reunion' Tour". Blabbermouth.net. March 30, 2005. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Original Testament Drummer To Be Replaced On Upcoming Tour Due To "Medical Reasons"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. July 5, 2006. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ "Producer Andy Sneap: Megadeth's Mustaine 'Proved To Be A Very Cool Guy To Work With'". Blabbermouth.net. December 25, 2006. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Testament Working With Ex-Slayer/Exodus Drummer Paul Bostaph On New Album". Blabbermouth.net. October 8, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ "Testament Recording New Album With Drummer Gene Hoglan". Blabbermouth.net. June 20, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ "Testament Parts Ways With Bassist Greg Christian, Announces Return Of Steve DiGiorgio". Blabbermouth.net. January 13, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ "TESTAMENT Parts Ways With Longtime Drummer GENE HOGLAN". Blabbermouth.net. January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "TESTAMENT Rejoined By Drummer DAVE LOMBARDO". Blabbermouth.net. March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ "Borknagar Drummer To Join Testament". Blabbermouth.net. March 1, 2003. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ "Testament Recruits Ex-Megadeth Guitarist Glen Drover For Upcoming Mexico Tour Dates". Blabbermouth.net. October 22, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ "Ex-Megadeth Guitarist Glen Drover To Fill In For Alex Skolnick On Testament Tour". Blabbermouth.net. October 22, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ "Testament Taps Ex-Forbidden Drummer For European Shows". Blabbermouth.net. October 24, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ "Testament Bassist Leaves Tour, Exodus' Jack Gibson Steps In". Blabbermouth.net. November 19, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ "Testament Performs At Heavy Montreal Festival With Fill-In Rhythm Section; Video, Photos Available". Blabbermouth.net. August 8, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ Kennelty, Greg (May 24, 2023). "ALEX SKOLNICK To Sit Out Part Of TESTAMENT's European Tour". Metal Injection. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ Blabbermouth (May 28, 2023). "Watch: PHIL DEMMEL Plays First Concert With TESTAMENT At Germany's ROCK HARD FESTIVAL". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved October 29, 2023.