Five or Six “Killer” Tunes Written for Next Testament Record
Bay Area thrash metal giants Testament are currently making the rounds through the European summer festival circuit, but that doesn’t mean they’re not already working on the follow up to their 2020 release, Titans of Creation.
Over the weekend, guitarist Eric Peterson told Loud TV (as transcribed by Blabbermouth) that they already have a handful of tracks written and ready to go, with next year looking like the possible release window.
“There was a big gap because of COVID. But now we’re getting ready — probably after this [European] tour to go start working on new material. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to that. We have about five, six songs written already, and [I’ll] probably try to finish it up when I get home. And then hopefully record right after we go on tour to Japan. So ’24 should look like a release for Testament.”
“There was a big gap because of COVID. But now we’re getting ready — probably after this [European] tour to go start working on new material. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to that. We have about five, six songs written already, and [I’ll] probably try to finish it up when I get home. And then hopefully record right after we go on tour to Japan. So ’24 should look like a release for Testament.”
As for how the new album is starting to take shape, Peterson said he was stoked for what’s coming.
“I’m a fan. For me, I wouldn’t release anything unless I’m a fan of what I’m doing. I have to get goosebumps. When I hear it, I’m, like, ‘Yeah.’ And then, of course, I play it for friends. A few of them go, ‘Ehh.’ But most of them go, ‘Fuuuck!’ Except Chuck [Billy, Testament singer] — Chuck goes, ‘Eh.’ And then four years later, [he goes], ‘That’s the best song ever. Write more shit like that.’ I’m like, like, ‘Yeah, but four years ago you said that sucked.’”
Regardless of whether Chuck Billy likes something or not, Peterson said the band is going to continue on their current tour and finish things out before getting back in the studio. When asked when they plan on doing that, Peterson said he wasn’t able to nail down an exact date, other than it’s going to happen some time this fall or early next year.
“Hopefully maybe October, November. If not, probably January, February. But we’re shooting for this year — at the end of the year. I think I’ll be done writing in September. So we just have to wait for vocals. Which can take a while. But we’ll see what happens.”
Anyone else super stoked about new Testament? After watching them perform live via YouTube during yesterday’s Hellfest gig (which you can check out below), it’s obvious that Testament don’t show any signs of slowing down any time soon.
