TESTAMENT — First Strike Still Deadly

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TESTAMENT - First Strike Still Deadly cover
3.98 | 14 ratings | 2 reviews
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Boxset / Compilation · 2001

Filed under Thrash Metal
By TESTAMENT

Tracklist

1. First Strike is Deadly (4:00)
2. Into the Pit (2:54)
3. Trial by Fire (4:32)
4. Disciples of the Watch (4:34)
5. The Preacher (3:56)
6. Burnt Offerings (5:27)
7. Over the Wall (4:18)
8. The New Order (4:43)
9. The Haunting (4:36)
10. Alone in the Dark (4:40)
11. Reign of Terror (5:06)

Total Time: 48:49

Line-up/Musicians

- Chuck Billy / vocals (tracks 1-9)
- Steve Souza / vocals (tracks 10 and 11)
- Alex Skolnick / lead guitar
- Eric Peterson / rhythm, lead guitar
- Steve DiGiorgio / bass
- John Tempesta / drums

About this release

Spitfire Records
This is a re-recording of tracks from Testament's first two albums 'The Legacy' and 'The New Order', and "Reign of Terror", which was first released on the live album 'Live at Eindhoven'.

Thanks to Stooge, Vim Fuego, Unitron for the updates

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TESTAMENT FIRST STRIKE STILL DEADLY reviews

Specialists/collaborators reviews

UMUR
"First Strike Still Deadly" is an album release by US, California based thrash metal act Testament. The album was released through Spitfire Records in October 2001. The album features re-recordings of select tracks from the band´s first two albums "The Legacy (1987)" and "The New Order (1988)" (five tracks from each album) and a re-recording of "Reign of Terror". The latter was originally featured on the band´s "Demo 1 (1985)" (released under the Legacy monicker before the band changed their name to the current one). The track was later featured in a studio version as the B-side to the "Trial by Fire (1988)" single. The same version of the track was also featured on the 1993 "Return to the Apocalyptic City" EP. The version of "Reign of Terror" which is featured on "First Strike Still Deadly" features vocals by original Legacy (and later Exodus) singer Steve Souza. Souza also performs vocals on "Alone in the Dark", which was also featured on "Demo 1 (1985)" (and later in a re-recorded studio version on "The Legacy (1987)"). The vocals on the remaining tracks on the album are performed by regular Testament singer Chuck Billy. "First Strike Still Deadly" sees the temporary return of Alex Skolnick (lead guitars), Steve DiGiorgio (bass), and John Tempesta (drums).

Bands can have several reasons for re-recording "hits" or even full releases, but the most common reason is that they don´t own the rights to the original recordings, and rightfully want a piece of the cake. In the case of Testament that´s fully understandable (if that was the reason for the re-recording) as "The Legacy (1987)" and "The New Order (1988)" are arguably among their most popular and commercially successful releases. The problem with most (not all) re-recordings is that re-recordings of classic tracks are often overproduced, lack the rawness of the original recordings, and even worse lack the hunger and attitude, which you experience when you listen to the originals...unfortunately that´s true for "First Strike Still Deadly" too.

No one can deny that the album is filled to the brim with classic thrash metal tracks and that Testament can perform those tracks in their sleep, but unfortunatley it all sounds phoned it, completely lacking of power and conviction. Normally badass tracks like "Into the Pit", "Trial by Fire", and "The Haunting" sound so tame and domesticated that it´s almost painful listening to them. Skolnick is also given too much freedom and some of his guitar solos are given a slight jazz/fusion spin which really doesn´t fit the compositions. The sound production doesn´t save anything either, as it´s dry, lacking dynamics, and well...sounds cheap. So I´m afraid this one goes down in the books as a bad quality re-recording. It´s completely unneccesary too for fans of the band and I´m left wondering what the hell happened in the decision making process. It´s definitely the low point of Testament´s otherwise great discography. A 2.5 star (50%) is me being very generous.
Vim Fuego
One measure of a good album, is will someone who is not a big fan of a band still enjoy it? Generally, I would rather watch paint dry than listen to Testament, so 'First Strike Still Deadly' came as a huge surprise. It's Testament, but it is not boring!

This is one of those "Aha!" albums. You know the ones, where a band comes highly recommended to you, and you want to like it, but you are massively underwhelmed by the band until one day, "Aha! I get it now!"

A re–recording of tracks from Testament's first two albums, and a demo track, this album is rendered in near–perfect neo–thrash style — punchy drums, crisp guitars, rock solid bottom end, and crystal–clear production. What was once bland and flat has been brought to life and given a new spark.

On initial listen, the only song I actually recognised was "Disciples Of The Watch", the most distinct track from 'The New Order'. It is hard to believe, but Testament seems to have become more aggressive as they have aged, and that added dash of aggro has really spiced the mix. Everything is just so much louder, heavier and more convincing than in 1988. Chuck Billy's voice in particular is grittier, more guttural, but at the same time more versatile than it was, but at the same time the vocals are easier to understand. John Tempesta, who has also served Exodus and White Zombie admirably, is a far superior drummer to what Louie Clemente was, and also suits the band better than Gene Hoglan did.

In the early days of thrash, the guitar pairing of Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson were spoken of in the same league as Hetfield and Hammett, Hanneman and King, and Holt and Hunolt. It is easy to see why when Peterson's riffs are given the crunch they deserve, and the classical stylings of Skolnick's leads punctuate the entire package.

The final two tracks on the album, "Alone In The Dark" and "Reign Of Terror" are two of Testament's oldest tracks. Both are old school headbangers, of the style which made the Bay Area famous. Guesting on vocals on both songs is Testament's original vocalist, Steve Souza. Souza made his name with Exodus, and these songs demonstrate what a loss he was for Testament.

If only Testament had managed this sound in the 1980s, we would now be talking about the Big Five of thrash, rather than the Big Four.

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