SNAKE CHARMERS
S
an Francisco thrash titans , Testament , are the epitome of what thrash metal should be . As one of the forerunners of the burgeoning scene in the early ' 80s , the band has stood the test of time . Although never included in the Big Four of thrash — which includes Metallica , Megadeth , Slayer and Anthrax – Testament has continuously laid down a tried and true thrash ethos throughout its 30-plus year career . Brotherhood of the Snake , its 12th full-length release , is Testament ’ s crowning achievement . It ’ s a diverse record that combines the vocal tone and melodic hooks of 1989 ’ s Practice What You Preach with the speed and aggression of 1999 ’ s The Gathering . Vocalist Chuck Billy explained to Mosh writer
By Kelley Simms
Testament , 2016
Kelley Simms why he thinks that Brotherhood of the Snake is some of the best stuff they ’ ve ever written .
Mosh : What ’ s the meaning behind the album title ? Chuck Billy : Brotherhood of the Snake is basically about a race of people 6,000 years ago that were out to dethrone religions . They say it ’ s an alien race who use the earth for its minerals and basically a prison for beings . That kind of spawned the alien and earth religion connection ; speaking of flying objects , the process and the role and the songs and direction where we were going with it . Then from there , it took another life in other songs and we went with something off-topic .
Mosh : In a previous interview , you stated that this was the most difficult record you ’ ve ever made . How so ? Chuck Billy : We took some big tour offers that came in the middle of the writing process . Some tours you just got to do – we did the Lamb of God tour and the Slayer tour . There was a lot going on and everyone was busy . I think within the frustration , the anger , and the emotions , and everything that went into it , what we were feeling pretty much poured out onto the record . We had a lot of songs written for awhile , but they really weren ’ t brought forth to the band until right before we went into the studio . Everybody had to step up their game and do the best they could . We have an amazing band , and it all just came through – everyone kicked ass . Just with everything going on with the creativity , and because of that , it turned out way better than we ’ d ever imagined . I think it ’ s some of the best stuff we ’ ve written in awhile .
Mosh : Your last album Dark Roots of the Earth was praised by fans and critics . Was it your mindset to try and top it with Brotherhood of the Snake ? Chuck Billy : We always try to , we always want to . And I think that ’ s what built up the frustration and emotions . It was being uncertain where you ’ re at at that point writing the record ; ‘ Are they good enough ? Are these songs as good as the last record ?’ All that stuff goes through your mind and these things come into play . So you ’ re always thinking you want to outdo it , but sometimes you second guess yourself .
Mosh : Vocallly , you ’ ve strayed from the death growls and stay in your raspy midrange . Is that how you and Eric write now ,
or did these particular tracks call for it ? Chuck Billy : They called for that . I think I put a lot of time in the lyrics and I had a lot of it written . I just lived with them for so long . That ’ s the way they came out when I went to track . I never know until I ’ m going to track what voice I ’ m going to go in to . But on this one , every time I got in there the more raspier voice seemed to fit better . And when I do the death stuff , it ’ s in the right places and not just a whole verse or chorus in the same voice .
Mosh : You wrote all the lyrics and melody lines , what inspired you this time around ? Chuck Billy : Because I knew I was using the different voice , I wanted to definitely have more melody and vocal hooks . I wanted to make sure you hear every lyric and have the hook in the right spot . Usually on some records we ’ ve probably overthought the writing process . For this one , we just kind of just let it flow . Eric had the riffs and a lot of pieces , not necessarily songs yet , but I just wrote lyrics to everything . So it kind of worked out to where a lot of it worked together and I think that ’ s what made it so interesting .
Mosh : During the writing process , do you listen to any of your favorite bands to get inspired , or do you shut off everything except the music you ’ re trying to create ? Chuck Billy : When we ’ re writing we ’ re focused on what we ’ re doing . It ’ s really listening over and over to the riff without having any idea of what you ’ re going to do . It ’ s so confusing on your brain . It ’ s like a problem that you have to solve , but you can ’ t solve it . And that happens for a long time , until all of a sudden it hits you and the timing is right and you find it . You find the niche . And that ’ s the cool part of it .
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34 illinoisentertainer . com october 2016