TESTAMENT Frontman Says 'Brotherhood Of The Snake' Album Is 'A Natural Progression'

September 27, 2016

Wall Of Sound recently conducted an interview with vocalist Chuck Billy of San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans TESTAMENT. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Wall Of Sound: Chuck, how do you see the new album, "Brotherhood Of The Snake", fitting within the back catalog of TESTAMENT?

Chuck: Well, I think that every record has been unique in its own way, and this isn't any different. It is a natural progression. I mean, back to the old-school thrash, but still forward in its sound and in a lot of the delivery. I think it kind of sums up everything we have gone through over the past thirty years and really represents TESTAMENT in 2016.

Wall Of Sound: What is the process for songwriting within the TESTAMENT unit? How does new material come about?

Chuck: It varies on different records. Eric [Peterson, guitar] took on all the songwriting this time around and then we arranged all of the music. The other guys were busy with other stuff, so they didn't actually take part in any of the writing. They learnt the material and just kicked ass in the studio. Everyone has played so well on this record and we can't wait to get it out there.

Wall Of Sound: As a vocalist, how do you create your melodies and keep your delivery fresh within the studio?

Chuck: As a vocalist, I really listen to the music over and over and over. It is almost like when you are a kid and you are learning how to jump rope with two kids moving the ropes and you need to time when to come in and not step on the ropes. This is how I see my role. It is to weave through the music and not step on it. Find my place within the sound and flow with it and not get in its way; that's probably the best way to describe it.

Read the entire interview at Wall Of Sound.

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