Testament, in concert Arizona Oct 25

Testament the Bay area Thrash Metal titans, stopped in Phoenix Arizona at the Van Buren Oct. 25th. I have a long history of seeing Testament live, being one of the two bands I´ve actually traveled to see. It was like all Testament shows I’ ve seen…PACKED! Fans young and I guess I’ m in the old range. Circle pits crowd surfing, going absolutely nuts to songs mostly from Legacy and New Order albums with some other hits tossed in for good measure.
Chuck Billy‘ s voice seemingly untouched by time. Alex Skolnick is a world class shredder by all accounts, always incredible to see live. But what got me the most and all apologies was the combination of Eric Peterson (guitar), Steve GiGiorgio (bass), and newest member Chris Dovas (drums). Those three are truly the backbone of this fantastic band. I was fixated on all three and the pull each one had on every song.

Plain and simple if you’ re a long-time fan of Testament go see them and take a young or unknowing music fan with you. These shows are as great as they were in the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s their songs and musicianship are still relevant and If Practice What You Preach dropped today it would still be a hit.
I have to toss in a side note Mike Olivas is a master photographer. Red and Blue lights are the absolute hardest to any photographer to work with.
So imagine red and blue lights with tons of smoke constantly going off during the show. Sunray is blessed to have such a photographer on staff and I´m lucky he hates to write and I get to really watch him work during a show. Sunray works very hard to bring you the fans the best concert coverage from across the globe. Cheers to all the fans!!!

Review by Mike Bengoechea

Photos by Michael Olivas