TESTAMENT Guitarist Discusses LOUIE CLEMENTE's Hand Injury

Mark Carras of Rock My Monkey recently spoke with Eric Peterson of TESTAMENT/DRAGONLORD. An excerpt from the chat follows:

Rock My Monkey: Is there any plans for a DRAGONLORD live DVD?

Eric Peterson: "Yeah, actually we filmed some stuff in Germany at the Earthshaker [Fest]. We were planning on putting on a full-blown one, but some of the footage didn't really come out as good as we wanted it to, and some camera stuff's missing. So there's some good... Actually we used some of that footage for our video, for 'Until The End'. I think what we can do with that footage is put together like three or four good songs out of it. And then what we're planning on doing is we're going to Japan in September to do this Thrash Domination with VENOM, DEATH ANGEL and ONSLAUGHT. And we're going to film something there. So I think between our video, some of the Earthshaker stuff, some camcorder stuff from Montreal, and then the Japan stuff, we're going to put something together."

Rock My Monkey: Cool. Any idea when that might be out?

Eric Peterson: "We're looking at-we're trying to get it out before Christmas, but I think it's going to be first quarter."

Rock My Monkey: Oh, wow. So actually this year maybe. Or early next year.

Eric Peterson: "Yeah, early next year. I mean, by the time we film it, by the time they get it in editing, it's going to be October. Yeah. That's probably not enough time. Realistically it's going to be out in the first quarter."

Rock My Monkey: I read that Louie [Clemente] is not going to be able to play these up and coming, these TESTAMENT shows you're leaving for. What medical problems is he having?

Eric Peterson: "He started getting some pains in his wrists. This came up last time. Jon Allen filled in for him for some shows we had done in the past. In particular one I can remember was the last one we just did in Italy, Gods Of Metal. And then he said he was all better, and he just kind of… He said he was alright, and at the last minute — I think he got cold feet at the same time. I don't know. I really don't know what the real story. But we're being told that his hands are hurting, or something."

Rock My Monkey: Basically, the typical drummer health issues is what you're talking about.

Eric Peterson: "Yeah. We'll end up getting Paul Bostaph. We just jammed a whole week with him. It's going to be killer."

Rock My Monkey: Bostaph is not a slacker on the drums. (laughs)

Eric Peterson: "No, he's a powerhouse. I'm pretty excited. You know, I mean, it would be cool to have Lou there, but, it all worked out. (chuckles) We didn't have to cancel anything."

Rock My Monkey: Speaking of cancelling, now that DRAGONLORD's other guitarist [Gian Pyres] has recovered, will the band be making up those tour dates any time soon?

Eric Peterson: "Yeah, actually we're going to make up the West Coast shows the week before we go to Japan. So early September people who are interested, they can watch out for some stuff on the West Coast. Maybe get down to L.A. and Sacramento, and the Bay Area. We're going to be doing some shows, like four or five. And then, we're going to do that right before we go to Japan. So that'll be a good warm-up for us to go over there, because it's going to be-well, going to Japan is pretty nerve-wracking. I mean, it's great, but I'm pretty... The audience is a lot different there. (chuckles)"

Read the entire interview — and listen to the audio of the chat — at www.rockmymonkey.com.