*=-- --=*
{ the }
-=/*> Buzzz Bros. <*\=-
present..
and
Born out of teenage suburban boredom and a diligent fervor for playing
frenetically brain-jarring hyper-riffs, these five merchants of mosh (slang
for the often hazardous acts of stage diving and slam dancing by fans at
concerts), vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson,
bassist Greg Christian and drummer Louie Clemente are soaring towards
legendary status.
"I think the main reson we've survived is that we do what we like, we
never sold out," offers Chuck Billy, the band's imposing vocalist. "Not to
sound corny or anything, but we've always played music from the heart. We're
fans of the music we play -- which is hard, fast speed-metal and thrash
music. It's all about playing music with lots of energy, and keeping it
challenging. As far as I'm concerned, that's what heavy music should be. We
don't wanna be like Metallica or Slayer -- but we're obviously fans of their
style from over the years, and they've been a major influence on us.
Testament is a heavy band, but we try to do something different from the
average thrash band."
"Now that we've mover up to a bigger level -- playing arenas and big
halls instead of the clubs -- we've been lucky that things haven't really
changed. Sure, there's a barrier between us and the audience now [arenas and
concert halls usually erect a wall between the stage and the front row, for
photographers and/or protection of the artists], but as long as we can see
the kids out there goin' wild, we're okay. We're glad that things are movin'
on for us real well, but we don't wanna lose sight of what got us there in
the first place. Our music's still heavy and in-your-face, and that's the
main thing. We're not gonna get weird about things now that we're becoming a
little more well-known. There's some people out there who think it's bad to
make it big -- some kids think you've sold-out just because you start sellin'
some records. And some bands think that you shouldn't go big-time. We're
not into that. We want our music to become as big and popular as possible --
that's what it's all about. We don't wanna be an unsuccessful underground
band, we want people to remember Testament, and hopefully they'll be somehow
influenced by what we do and say."
What Testament offer that's different from standard metal fare are
lyrics with significant meaning. While they're not exactly Jackson Browne or
U2 (many of the band's lyrics are steeped on the darker side of life and/or
fantasy characters), Testament have garnered considerable acclaim for songs
with social significance -- like 1989's "Greenhouse Effect" or "Perilous
Nation," which comment on various environmental / political issues. "We're
not here to change the world; we're just a band," Chuck says. "We're not a
political band, we don't wanna get ourselves stuck in that trap. But we do
observe a lot of things that go on in day-to-day life, and as a band, we
should be free to express ourselves as we see fit. As far as the kinda
political songs we have got, there's a lot of fucked up things going on out
there in the world, and we shouldn't not talk about them, just 'cause we're a
metal band. The greenhouse effect is a universal thing, even thrashers are
gonna have to deal with it. It's important for people to know what's going on
in the world, and music should be just another place for them to learn. But
like I said, that's only one small part of our music, and because of that, it
does sometimes get overexaggerated."
"Also, when we play live, the songs are a little bit different and
faster, and it's pretty much there for the kids to mosh to, and let off some
aggression. So, we don't really expect people to get the words we're sayin
in our songs when it's live at a club or theater or somethin'. But when the
fan goes home, and listens to the record and read the lyric sheet, that's
where we're gonna make some impact. But we're not preaching either. We
don't offer any solutions to these things -- after all, we don't have the
answers ourselves. We do pose the questions, so the kids can go out and
decide for themselves what should be done to help -- if they want to."
Another thing which seperates Testament from the mindless metal millions
is that they're not one of those groups who are the real sell-outs, doing
"Just Say No" propaganda/public service announcements for radio and
television while privately feeding costly cocaine/heroin habits. Testament
are proud weed smokers, who fight for their right to party. "It burns me up.
I don't do coke or crank or any other shit like that -- I smoke pot. It's
just a plant, and I get shit for that. They say drugs are drugs, which is
bullshit. My manager always gives me shit whenever I say anything about this
subject, but I'm just telling you the truth. I'm not gonna sit here and say
I'm an angel when I'm not. I'm not gonna lie to the kids, and I'm not gonna
lie to your readers. I choose to smoke pot, and I like it. I'm not tellin'
people that they should smoke pot too -- that would be wrong and
hyppocritical -- but I do support people's freedom to do what they choose.
The way things are now in our society, you can get arrested for smoking a
plant, and that seems ridiculous to me."
Chorus:
-------
When will they open up their eyes
Stop to face our demise
It's live or die
Who am I?
Face in the Sky
Chorus
Chorus
3. Falling Fast
------------
Lyrics: Billy
Music: Peterson, Clemente
Help me lord
I'm falling fast
Bring me Back
Help me lord
I'm falling fast
Bring me back
From suicide
Help me lord
I'm falling fast
Bring me back
from suicide
I'm falling fast
Chorus
4. Souls of Black
--------------
Lyrics: Billy
Music: Peterson, Skolnick, Clemente
Chorus:
-------
Look at the lost souls
They seem so black
Look at the lost souls
Souls of black
Chorus
So put an end
to this idolization
Antagonizing so commonly
Open your eyes
'Cause the lie's there so plain to see
Life goes on
There's no gaurantees
Chorus
5. Absence Of Light
----------------
Lyrics: Billy, Skolnick
Music: Peterson, Billy
Life, as we know,
is full of gloom
Oppress the massess
We'll lead to our doom
We want the right
to live or die
Can't take away
What we feel inside
Chorus:
-------
If it were my way
I'd deliver us from this hell
If it were my way.
Chorus
6. Love To Hate
------------
Lyrics: Peterson, Clemente & Billy
Music: Peterson, Skolnick
Chorus
------
His love to hate
He'll murder souls like you and me
But along the way
He'll have you to dwell
in his own hell
Chorus
Chorus
7. Malpractice
-----------
Lyrics: Skolnick, Billy
Music: Skolnick, Peterson
Chorus:
-------
Check in - to the place
Reduce you life into disgrace
Isn't there some kind
of better way
Chorus
Chorus
Lightning skies
Prayers from an open grave
A dead man's day
Lightning skies
Prayers from an open grave
A dead man's eyes
Lightning skies
Prayers from an open grave
A dead man's eyes
Must be a dead man's day
9. The Legacy
----------
Lyrics: Skolnick, Billy, Peterson
Music: Peterson, Clemente, Skolnick
Chorus:
-------
Life was like a fantasy
taken by reality
Does anyone remember me
Chorus
Chorus:
-------
Born a political prisoner
Raised outside the law
I'm gonna keep on fighting
until I die for the cause
Chorus
Chorus
-----------------------------
____________________________
Kilbourn
Alannah and Vanessa at Kroozin' Music
HIGH TIMES
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