TESTAMENT — First Strike Still Deadly (review)

TESTAMENT — First Strike Still Deadly album cover

Boxset / Compilation · 2001 · Thrash Metal

2.5/5 · 2024-07-21
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.