In a latest dialog with Nikki Blakk from San Francisco’s 107.7 The Bone radio station, Testament‘s vocalist Chuck Billy shared a number of insights in regards to the band’s upcoming album, the awaited follow-up to their 2020 launch, Titans Of Creation, which is at present within the recording levels.
Billy revealed that the band has been within the studio for a number of months and aimed to finish the recording course of by the tip of June. He shared (as transcribed by Blabbermouth) “We have been right here within the recording studio for — I do not know — a few months now, and we’re on the point of depart for Europe in July. So we have gotta get the whole lot performed in June. So it is our objective to complete the whole lot this month”
In the case of new materials, Testament followers would possibly get a preview by the tip of the 12 months. Billy talked about: “We hope to have a single possibly, simply in direction of the tip of the 12 months. Give whomever we choose to combine the album one track, ‘Let’s have a look at the way you do, see if we’re completely happy,’ earlier than we do the entire file possibly. It is a ache within the butt, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a bit extra handy for us this time.”
Discussing the musical route of the brand new tracks, Billy described the album as “very aggressive,” noting the affect of their new drummer, Chris Dovas. “The file could be very aggressive. With this one, we have now a brand new drummer, Chris Dovas, who’s actually placing a hearth beneath Eric Peterson, (Testament guitarist and foremost songwriter) and actually, actually received some actually heavy, quick — I do not know if it is the phrase ‘trendy’, possibly.
“I do not know, however… ‘Present’, how about that? Present-sounding. So, Chris is including to that. I by no means know what the file is gonna be till we combine it, ‘trigger they’re all simply particular person songs, and I’m going, ‘Okay, they’re nice.’ However till we combine it and take heed to it as an album, that is after we understand, ‘Wow, this got here out higher than I believed. Wow, that is actually good.’ However this one, I am excited stepping into earlier than the combination, as a result of I simply know every track is one step up from the final file, so far as aggression, possibly.”
Lyrically, the album explores a variety of topical themes, together with environmental points and synthetic intelligence. Billy expressed his desire for writing about real-world occasions, believing it lends extra authenticity to his vocal performances.: “It isn’t as centered on, like, the aliens, creating mankind and that form of stuff, however there may be a few of that. There’s loads. Every track undoubtedly has its personal identification lyrically. And once more, we’re writing stuff that’s actual, that occurs with the atmosphere; we’re singing about that once more. A.I., we’re singing stuff about that. That is an enormous factor. So, there’s at all times an inspiration for songs. I believe it is a bit simpler.”
“There’s a lot occurring in our world to jot down about now. It is a loopy world at the moment, so there’s quite a lot of stuff to speak about. And I like singing about what’s actual and what is going on on as an alternative of some fantasy lyrics, as a result of, for me, I believe once I sing ’em, I’ve extra conviction, I consider in ’em a bit extra. And possibly it is simpler for me to recollect the lyrics stay,” he chuckled.
The band has taken a collaborative strategy to songwriting this time round, with guitarist Eric Peterson and drummer Chris Dovas laying the groundwork. Your complete group then refined the preparations collectively, making certain everybody’s satisfaction with the ultimate product.
“Chris has been popping out since most likely December, possibly a bit earlier than that, and going to Eric‘s home; he is received an electrical drum set there. So they have been working, writing, placing all these items collectively. And at the start of Might, as soon as Eric began monitoring, we determined that, let’s deliver Alex Skolnick (Testament lead guitarist) and all people in’ apart from Steve DiGiorgio (Testament bassist), ‘trigger he is on tour, let’s deliver Alex and all people right here to the studio and let’s simply undergo all of the music, all of the songs and ensure we’re all pleased with the preparations. And each track received modified as properly. As soon as Alex received right here, all of us began placing our heads collectively until we have been all pleased with the preparations. After which he left and we stated, ‘Okay, Chris, now here is the brand new stuff. Let’s do it and monitor it.’ And he knocked it out final month, and now it is the remainder of us which are monitoring our elements. So we have been a bit extra considerate on this file. We’ve the time to do it. So I believe it is gonna be a killer file.”
“Loads of it’s Eric‘s riffs, however they’re put within the correct locations or reduce out if we do not want it. And it is good for me as a result of I did not actually get to sit down with Eric. I simply allow them to guys jam and simply give you as a lot as you’ll be able to and we’ll type it out later, which that is what they did. However as soon as Chris got here out, then we knew, okay, it has to alter or we’re gonna simply have the identical file, and possibly we would not be completely happy when it was all performed. And likewise Eric‘s truly been going to New York — he truly went to work with Alex on the market, which he hasn’t performed up to now.”
“And I believe having Chris be out there as a result of like Gene (Hoglan, former Testament drummer) or whoever we labored with did not have the time to come back up as a lot as Chris has. Chris has spent quite a lot of time right here, which has been good and actually pushing Eric to make music. And we’re at a degree now to the place Eric‘s, like, ‘ what? This has been enjoyable. I believe I am simply going to maintain bringing Chris out. Let’s simply preserve writing songs. Even after this file’s performed, let’s simply preserve making songs,’ which I believe is nice as a result of meaning we will get a soar on the subsequent file. ‘Trigger not spring chickens. It is, like, let’s get it performed now whereas we will,” Billy added.
Billy additionally revealed some tantalizing monitor titles, together with “Havana Syndrome,” “Infanticide A.I.,” and a slower, extra melodic piece known as “Meant To Be.” Regardless of the general aggressive tone, Billy assures followers that the album will nonetheless characteristic Testament‘s signature mix of brutality and melody.
“There is a track, ‘Havana Syndrome’, which is in regards to the Havana Syndrome. Individuals, look that up. There’s ‘Infanticide A.I.’, which is one other track going A.I. route. And there is truly a slower track. We have not performed a slower track. I am not gonna say ‘ballad’, however I am gonna say a slower track that has quite a lot of groove and soul, known as ‘Meant To Be’. And it is like a traditional Testament-type ballad, I assume, in the event you wanna use that phrase,” he elaborated.
“However we have a bit little bit of the whole lot, however, once more, I believe it is actually sticking to Testament, having to have some melodic stuff, despite the fact that there’s some actually brutal lyrics and actual brutal, extra of a loss of life voice. I nonetheless put the hook in with extra of a melodic hook or one thing. It is nonetheless traditional Testament. For those who take heed to it, you will go, ‘That is Testament, however a bit extra octane to it.'”