TESTAMENT — The Legacy (review)

TESTAMENT — The Legacy album cover Album · 1987 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
Stephen
Until today, I just don't understand how in the world that Testament isn't a part of The Big Four since basically this band is far superior compared to Anthrax or Slayer. Throughout their career, Testament is one of the most consistent band that I personally think have released great albums one after another, and "The Legacy" is the first glorious step they've taken before evolving to reach the legendary status of the scene.

Though it was released in 1987, the chrysalis of Testament was started to grow four-five years earlier, hence the raw sound inside is often comparable to what Metallica did with "Ride The Lightning" in 1984 or Slayer's "Show No Mercy" in 1983. The highlight of "The Legacy" is obviously the wicked shouter, Chuck Billy, and the multi-talented shred master, Alex Skolnick, but anything from track number one to the last is what defines classic thrash, constructed with highly enjoyable Bay Area typical riffage, furious rhythm with blasting drums, and of course, some demonic screams that shot right out of hell.

"Over The Wall", one of their most popular songs, featured an intensified riffs led by Billy's insane scream, Skolnick's lethal solo sounded angry and aggressive. "Burnt Offerings" maintained the speed, Billy's vocal was drowned in a deep echo effect, sometimes this thing, eventually became the weakness of old thrash album, along with the thin production that deserved an enhanced mix on a remastered version, however the brutally brilliant short solos are effective and amazing to keep your eyes and ears open. "Raing Waters", "First Strike Is Deadly", "Do or Die", and "Alone In The Dark" are another highlights that unconsciously provoked my head to move and my toes to tap.

"The Legacy" is a masterpiece, that even the band themselves struggling to match in their newer releases, definitely a real legacy of the band when their career is over, a historical piece to remember, and yes, this one is better than "Reign In Blood" or "Among The Living".
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Diogenes wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Testament isn't a part of the Big Four because of chronology. By 1987 those four were all pretty well established compared to Testament, who just came out with this one as their first album. If anyone should make it the Big Five, it should be Overkill or Exodus. I totally agree with you guys about Testament deserving more attention, though.
Time Signature wrote:
more than 2 years ago
It really should be the Big Five: Anthrax, Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth and Testament, because Testament are just as awesome - in some respects more awesome - as any of the Big Four.

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