Audio CD review:
Testament - First Strike Still Deadly

Testament - First Strike Still Deadly

Band: Testament Title: First Strike Still Deadly Rating: Release Date: 2002-03-18 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: First Strike Is Deadly - Testament, Peterson 2: Into the Pit - Testament, Skolnick 3: Trial by Fire - Testament, Peterson, Eric [1] 4: Disciples of the Watch - Testament, Peterson 5: The Preacher - Testament, Skolnick 6: Burnt Offerings - Testament, Peterson 7: Over the Wall - Testament, Peterson 8: The New Order - Testament, Skolnick 9: The Haunting - Testament, Skolnick 10: Alone in the Dark - Testament, Skolnick 11: Reign of Terror - Testament, Ramirez

Testament at their Best The result is a real masterpiece. The re-recording of all the classics from Testament, with Skolnick back on lead guitar and John Tempesta on drums (possibly the best drummer Testament could have, even compared to Lombardo, just check his work in "Live in London" : HUGE!). Most of the songs from The Legacy and New Order are heavier and much more intense than the original ones. The solos are technically perfect (sometimes even jazzy). Beautiful, technical, melodic, heavy : TESTAMENT By the way Murphy doe not play on this album, all the solos are made by Mr Skolnick himself but Steve DiGiorgio replaces Greg Christian on bass. Into the PIT!!!!!!!! It didn't do the songs justice. WHOA!!! This compilation is amazing!! Songs from Testament's earlier albums "The Legacy" and "The New Order" are re-recorded here, and as with Anthrax's "The Greater of Two Evils", these versions are superb! I always was annoyed at the sound quality of Testament's first two albums. But on this album they are HEAVY! The guitar work is clear, and crisp and THICK, so you can hear exactly how technical those riffs really are. Chuck Billy's vocals are deeper and more deadly. He doesn't scream in that high tone as much though, which is unfortunate. Also, Alex Scholnik does not play on this album, noticeably, but Murphy(formerly of Obituary) fills in just nice. This is a great, in-your-face compilation that will leave you amazed at Testament's wizardry, and your car windows broken from playing it so LOUD! I still can't get over how cool the song "The New Order" sounds!!! Enjoy!!. You can see a complete list of all Testament discography, or go back to the Testament tabs