Testament @ Copenhell 2023
Still practicing what they preach – as if you had any doubt
Okay, first major point of criticism at this festival: Why is it that I or anyone else have to wait half a fucking HOUR for a bus that's not so ridiculously jam-packed that you couldn't even crowd surf your way in?? I'm late by 20 goddamn minutes to my favorite thrash metal band, and I haven't seen them since they played at this very festival 10 fucking years ago. Some dipshit's gotta pay for this.
Oh yeah, and why is it that the almighty Testament – arguably the unofficial fifth member of those Big 4 of thrash – is relegated to having the earliest time slot?? And no, I don't care if some newcomer no-name actually played earlier. This is too damn early for any normal person who swills beer all day when attending festivals.
Of course, it's not like I haven't seen the band a whole bunch of times already. Yet it's hard not to have my joy upon finally arriving spiked with a bit of bitterness about being late as I skedaddle my way through the crowd during the wonderfully ever-furious "D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)" and equal times fist-pumping and grisly "3 Days in Darkness". Yes, I have to get up front.
The band seems to be having a fairly regular day at the office – just like newest cut "Children of the Next Level" neither surprises nor disappoints. This both unmistakably sounds and looks like Testament. But for a group in this league, a fairly regular day at the office still means delivering by routine what their protegés only deliver after years of painstakingly hard work.
Charismatic lead guitarist Alex Skolnick, for example, remains one of the genre's finest, his impressively meticulous bends and jazzy legato-runs complementing the otherwise fierce expression with a human warmth that neither Kerry King nor Kirk Hammett, for different reasons, will ever be able to emulate. And loveable slab of a frontman Chuck Billy carries that same redemptively human quality on his sleeve, conducting the ceremony with all the stoic presence of someone with +40 years of experience.
The band seems to be having a fairly regular day at the office. But for a group in this league, a fairly regular day at the office still means delivering by routine what their protegés only deliver after years of painstakingly hard work.
Last time Testament played here, though, it was with original bassist Greg Christian and human drum god Gene Hoglan. This time around, we get long-time fill-in bass legend Steve Di Giorgio jokingly catching and hurling back those drumsticks that new kid Chris Dovas is trying to throw into the crowd in lieu of one busy Dave Lombardo.
Yes, the fact that this group has acted as a revolving door for such prominent profiles – others, for example, being Nicholas Barker, James Murphy, Paul Bostaph, and John Tempesta – says a lot about Testament's, *ahem*, legacy. Because as fine as the title track and opener "More Than Meets the Eye" from 2009's "The Formation of Damnation" are, they're still expendable compared to classic staples "The Haunting" and "Over the Wall" from the band's 1987 full-length debut "The Legacy". Not surprisingly, the latter sees a considerable mosh pit. Not for this band, but for this sparse crowd and this ungodly time of day. And also not surprisingly, said pit remains during obvious set closer "Into the Pit".
Creatively, Testament peaked on their near-masterpiece "The Gathering" (1999). But if they'd bother playing a bit more classics; if otherwise fine festivals like this one would get them slots at an hour when those of us who've passed 30 are up and rocking; and if those responsible for transportation to Copenhell would get their shit together like they're supposed to, I woulda given a higher rating than here.
But of course, with a jam like this, less does it.
Rating: 4.5 out of 6
Genre: Thrash metal
Venue: Copenhell, Helvíti Stage
Date: Thu., 15/6/2023
Setlist:
- Rise Up
- The New Order
- The Pale King
- Practice What You Preach
- D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)
- 3 Days in Darkness
- Children of the Next Level
- The Formation of Damnation
- More Than Meets the Eye
- The Haunting
- Over the Wall
- Into the Pit