Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983, the group originally consisted of guitarists Eric Peterson and Derrick Ramirez, bassist Greg Christian, drummer Louie Clemente and lead vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza. The band's current lineup features Peterson, lead vocalist Chuck Billy (since 1986), lead guitarist Alex Skolnick (from 1983 to 1992, and since 2005), bassist Steve Di Giorgio (from 1998 to 2005, and since 2014) and drummer Chris Dovas (since 2023).
History 1983–1997 Formed under the name Legacy in 1983 by cousins Eric Peterson (rhythm guitar, backing vocals) and Derrick Ramirez (lead guitar, lead vocals), the original lineup of the group also featured bassist Greg Christian, drummer Louie Clemente, and (after Ramirez decided that he wanted to focus on guitar only) lead vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza. Clemente left the band in 1985 and was replaced by Mike Ronchette. Ramirez departed soon after and was replaced by Alex Skolnick. This lineup recorded a four-song demo in 1985. Souza left to join Exodus in 1986 and was replaced by Chuck Billy, who the departing vocalist had suggested for his replacement. Drummer Clemente returned to the band in 1986.
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. 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. Clemente also left at the same time, with his place taken by Forbidden drummer Paul Bostaph. By April the following year, Bostaph had been replaced by former Exodus drummer John Tempesta, and by early 1994 Alvelais' lead guitarist role had been taken over by James Murphy.
After recording the band's sixth studio album Low, Tempesta left Testament to join White Zombie, with Jon Dette taking his place. The new drummer also left after a year, reportedly following a disagreement with vocalist Billy, subsequently joining Slayer. He was replaced briefly by Chris Kontos, formerly of Machine Head, who recorded a cover version of Judas Priest's "Rapid Fire" for the tribute album A Tribute to Judas Priest: Legends of Metal, Vol. 1 before leaving again. By 1996, only Billy and Peterson remained members of Testament, as Murphy, Christian and Kontos had all departed.
1997–2011 In 1997, Testament returned with Demonic, which featured a lineup of vocalist Chuck Billy and guitarist Eric Peterson, alongside original guitarist Derrick Ramirez on bass and Gene Hoglan on drums. For the album's touring cycle, the band was rejoined by guitarist Glen Alvelais and drummer Jon Dette. In 1998, the group recorded The Gathering with returning lead guitarist James Murphy, former Death bassist Steve Di Giorgio and former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo. For the album's promotional tour, Murphy and Lombardo were replaced by Steve Smyth and Steve Jacobs, respectively.
Jon Allen took over from Jacobs in early 2000. 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. 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. Just two months later, Smyth also left to join Nevermore and was replaced by former Halford guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak.
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. In summer 2006, Clemente was forced to leave the tour for medical reasons, with Bostaph returning again to take his place as the sole drummer. By the end of the year, Nick Barker had taken over on drums. 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.
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. In January 2014, Christian was replaced by Steve Di Giorgio. 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. 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. In 2023, Dave Lombardo was replaced by current drummer Chris Dovas.
Members Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsEric Peterson1983–presentall Testament releasesAlex Skolnickall Testament releases from the Legacy Demo (1985) to Return to the Apocalyptic City (1993) , and from First Strike Still Deadly (2001) onwardsChuck Billy1986–presentlead vocalsall Testament releases from The Legacy (1987) onwardsSteve Di GiorgioChris DovasdrumsPara Bellum (2025)
Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsGreg Christianall Testament releases from the Legacy Demo (1985) to "Rapid Fire" (1997), and from Live in London (2005) to Dark Roots of Thrash (2013)Louie ClementedrumsDerrick RamirezDemonic (1997)Steve "Zetro" Souza1983–1986lead vocalsMike Ronchette1985–1986drumsLegacy Demo (1985)Glen Alvelaislead and rhythm guitarPaul BostaphdrumsJohn TempestaJames Murphylead and rhythm guitarJon DettedrumsLive at the Fillmore (1995)Chris Kontos1995–1996"Rapid Fire" (1997)Gene HoglanDave LombardoThe Gathering (1999)Steve Smyth1999–2004lead and rhythm guitarnoneSteve Jacobs1999–2000drumsJon Allen2000–2004Nick Barker2006–2007
Touring ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsNotesAsgeir Mickelson2003drumsMickelson substituted for Allen for a European tour, due to his ongoing "personal family issues"."Metal" Mike Chlasciak2004–2005lead and rhythm guitarChlasciak substituted following the release of Steve Smyth of his duties, thus filled the remaining touring obligations of the following year.Glen DroverDrover substituted for Skolnick on a Mexican tour in 2008, and for a North American tour in 2010.Mark Hernandez2012drumsHernandez filled in for Hoglan on a European tour in November and December 2012.Jack Gibson2013bassGibson filled in for Christian on a North American tour in November 2013.Tilen Hudrap2015Hudrap and Bent replaced DiGiorgio and Hoglan respectively in 2015.Alex BentdrumsPhil Demmel2023lead and rhythm guitarDemmel replaced Skolnick for part of the bands 2023 European tour.
Timeline
Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesEarly 1983 – late 1983Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Derrick Ramirez – lead guitar, lead vocals Greg Christian – bass Louie Clemente – drumsnoneLate 1983 – 1985Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Derrick Ramirez – lead guitar Greg Christian – bass Louie Clemente – drums Steve Souza – lead vocals1985Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Greg Christian – bass Steve Souza – lead vocals Mike Ronchette – drums Alex Skolnick – lead guitar, backing vocalsLegacy Demo (1985)1986 – October 1992Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Greg Christian – bass Alex Skolnick – lead guitar, backing vocals Louie Clemente – drums Chuck Billy – lead vocalsThe Legacy (1987) Live at Eindhoven (1987) The New Order (1988) Practice What You Preach (1989) Souls of Black (1990) The Ritual (1992)November 1992 – April 1993Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Greg Christian – bass Chuck Billy – lead vocals Glen Alvelais – lead guitar Paul Bostaph – drumsReturn to the Apocalyptic City (1993)April 1993 – early 1994Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Greg Christian – bass Chuck Billy – lead vocals Glen Alvelais – lead guitar John Tempesta – drumsnoneEarly – September 1994Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Greg Christian – bass Chuck Billy – lead vocals John Tempesta – drums James Murphy – lead guitarLow (1994)September 1994 – 1995Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Greg Christian – bass Chuck Billy – lead vocals James Murphy – lead guitar Jon Dette – drumsLive at the Fillmore (1995)1995–1996Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Greg Christian – bass Chuck Billy – lead vocals James Murphy – lead guitar Chris Kontos – drumsRapid Fire (1997)Late 1996 – early 1997Eric Peterson – guitars, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Derrick Ramirez – bass Gene Hoglan – drumsDemonic (1997)Spring 1997 – spring 1998Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Derrick Ramirez – bass Glen Alvelais – lead and rhythm guitar Jon Dette – drumsDemonic (1997) Spring 1998 – summer 1999Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals James Murphy – lead guitar Steve Di Giorgio – bass, backing vocals Dave Lombardo – drumsThe Gathering (1999)Summer 1999 – early 2000Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Steve Di Giorgio – bass, backing vocals Steve Smyth – lead guitar Steve Jacobs – drumsnoneEarly 2000 – February 2004Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Steve Di Giorgio – bass, backing vocals Steve Smyth – lead guitar Jon Allen – drumsFirst Strike Still Deadly (2001)February – April 2004Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Steve Di Giorgio – bass, backing vocals Steve Smyth – lead guitar Paul Bostaph – drumsnoneApril 2004 – March 2005Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Steve Di Giorgio – bass, backing vocals Paul Bostaph – drums Mike Chlasciak – lead guitarMarch 2005 – July 2006Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Greg Christian – bass Alex Skolnick – lead guitar, backing vocals John Tempesta – drums Louie Clemente – drumsLive in London (2005)July – late 2006Eric Peterson – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Greg Christian – bass Alex Skolnick – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals Paul Bostaph – drumsnoneLate 2006 – October 2007Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Greg Christian – bass Alex Skolnick – lead guitar, backing vocals Nick Barker – drumsOctober 2007 – June 2011Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Greg Christian – bass Alex Skolnick – lead guitar, backing vocals Paul Bostaph – drumsThe Formation of Damnation (2008)June 2011 – January 2014Eric Peterson – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Greg Christian – bass Alex Skolnick – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals Gene Hoglan – drumsDark Roots of Earth (2012) Dark Roots of Thrash (2013)January 2014 – February 2022Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Alex Skolnick – lead guitar, backing vocals Gene Hoglan – drums Steve Di Giorgio – bass, backing vocalsBrotherhood of the Snake (2016) Titans of Creation (2020)March 2022 – June 2023Eric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Alex Skolnick – lead guitar, backing vocals Steve Di Giorgio – bass, backing vocals Dave Lombardo – drumsnoneJuly 2023 – PresentEric Peterson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Chuck Billy – lead vocals Alex Skolnick – lead guitar, backing vocals Steve Di Giorgio – bass, backing vocals Chris Dovas – drumsPara Bellum (2025)
References
External links Testament official website