Testament (band)

Testament
Testament performing at the Elbriot Festival on August 19, 2016
Background information
Also known as	Legacy (1983–1986)
Origin	Berkeley, California, U.S.
Genres	Thrash metal
Years active	1983–present
Labels	Atlantic Megaforce Spitfire Burnt Offerings Nuclear Blast
Associated acts	Alex Skolnick Trio Dragonlord Evildead Hatriot Dublin Death Patrol Exodus Megadeth Metallica Slayer Savatage Dark Angel Death
Website	www.testamentlegions.com
Members	Eric Peterson Alex Skolnick Chuck Billy Gene Hoglan Steve Di Giorgio
Past members	Mike Ronchette Derrick Ramirez Steve Souza Louie Clemente Glen Alvelais Paul Bostaph James Murphy John Tempesta Jon Dette Chris Kontos Greg Christian Dave Lombardo Jon Allen Steve Smyth Mike Chlasciak Nick Barker

Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band consists of vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve Di Giorgio and drummer Gene Hoglan. In the 34 years since its inception, Testament has had numerous lineup changes, and Peterson has been the only constant member. Billy replaced former singer Steve Souza in 1986, prior to the recording of their first studio album, The Legacy, and has been a member of the band since. Billy and Peterson are the only band members to appear on every album.

Testament is often credited as one of the most popular bands of the thrash metal scene, having sold over 1.4 million albums in the United States since the beginning of the SoundScan era and 14 million albums worldwide. To date, the band has released eleven studio albums, four live albums, six compilation albums, and six singles. After signing a recording contract with Atlantic Records in 1986, Testament's first five studio albums — The Legacy (1987), The New Order (1988), Practice What You Preach (1989), Souls of Black (1990) and The Ritual (1992) — were released to widespread critical acclaim. Shortly after the release of The Ritual, Skolnick and drummer Louie Clemente left the band and were replaced by James Murphy and John Tempesta on guitar and drums respectively. After one album with Murphy and Tempesta, and the departure of original bassist Greg Christian in 1996, Testament endured many lineup changes in the late 1990s and mid-2000s, leaving Peterson as the only remaining original member left. Since Skolnick's return to the band in 2005, Testament has undergone a resurgence in popularity, with their last two studio albums, Dark Roots of Earth (2012) and Brotherhood of the Snake (2016), peaking at higher chart positions in the United States.