Testament

testament

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Unclassifiable and with boundless originality, SHUB-NIGGURATH blends influences of MAGMA, ART ZOYD, UNIVERS ZERO and KING CRIMSON with echoes of PENDERECKI. From this unique alchemy comes a feverish, violent, intense and dark music in which the listener can sometimes hear anguished female vocals and a Robert FRIPP-like guitar. The relatively classical instruments used (Harmonium, guitar, bass, drums & trombone) blend with strange metal sheets sounds when those are either hit or scraped. Reissued by the label Gazul, the first album "Les Morts Vont Vite" (1986) is now considered a timeless classic. Issued five years later, "C'Etaient De Grands Vents" was recorded by a band reduced to four members only. At this occasion, the line-up from Paris had gone even further into dissonance and contemporary music, abandoning thus all rhythmic patterns and harmonies. "Testament" (2003) is the last musical testimony by SHUB-NIGGURATH. The musicians decided to issue those last compositions as a tribute to one of them, recently deceased. Here are then ten tracks that can be classified among the most radical and daring as far as experimenting is concerned. The proof will have been made, one ast time, that SHUB-NIGGURATH was indeed a major band in contemporary music.

Testament,Shub-Niggurath,Gazul/Musea

Testament

Average customer rating:

Excellent Introduction to Spanish Classical Guitar Music
The guitar is an orchestra in miniature!
GUITAR MAJESTY
Sweet, sweet music, an essential addition to your collection
A True Classic

Spanish Guitar Music

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005YJ4Q
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

Albeniz: Asturias
Albeniz: Tango
Sanz: Canarios
Rodrigo: Fandango
Torroba: Nocturno
Segreras - El Colibri
Albeniz: Sonata in D
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De Falla: The Miller's Dance
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El Noy de la Mare
Granados: Ma Maja de Goya
Abeniz: Cordoba
Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Granados: Spanish Dance No. 5
El Testamen de Amelia
Villa-Lobos: Prelude No. 4 in E Minor
Albeniz: Sevilla
De Falla: Homanaje
Mudarra: Fantasia
Turina: Fandanguillo

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Introduction to Spanish Classical Guitar Music.......2005-09-18

As a sampler, this CD is an excellent introduction both to Spanish classical guitar music and to guitarist John Williams.
The music ranges from Renaissance composers (Sanz, Mudarra) and harmonized folk melodies to standard 20th Century works (Rodrigo, Torroba etc).

John Williams is excellent throughout. The CD is also cheap, and can be used either just for enjoyment, or further to explore other recordings by Williams, the classical guitar repertoire, or other classical guitarists.

As a marketing ploy, it is very effective.

For the collector or classical guitar enthusiast, the chief disadvantages of the CD are duplication of other recordings, and that the way at least some of the works on this CD are listed isn't helpful in telling the listener the set(s) to which these pieces belong and how to find them (e.g. "from ______, Op # "). The font listing the titles and track numbers is small and somewhat hard to read.

However, this CD should attract many listeners and enthusiasts both to the classical guitar, the repertoire, and guitarist John Williams - and I'm all for that.

Over 70 minutes playing time.

Recommended.

The guitar is an orchestra in miniature!.......2005-02-05

This admirable concept belongs to Hector Berlioz and it must not be a surprise the best guitarrists in the story have in common this trademark.

John Williams has always known the delicate equilibrium between the expresiveness and the glamouer. His impresive technique however is not exposed as his prima edonna. He goes directly to the soul of the composer, melts in his spirit and let the music sharp the qith eloquent conviction the composer's demanded atmosphere.

From Granados to Albeniz, from Rodrigo to Agustin Barrios - El indio Mangore -, from Moreno Torroba to Ponce , you will find the warmth, the passion and the Midas touch of this golden guitarrist.

GUITAR MAJESTY.......2004-12-21

John Williams is a true Guitar virtuoso. His repetoire is very extensive and I use his music in my office while I work at my daily office duties. This album is a must for all guitar enthusiasts old or young.

Sweet, sweet music, an essential addition to your collection.......2004-12-07

I originally bought this album three years ago, looking for a good introduction to Spanish guitar music. And this one fits that need perfectly. I still listen to and enjoy it today. I play this for guests at happy hour or dinner for a relaxed atmosphere. At Amazon's current price, this is a great value.

A True Classic.......2004-01-26

This album/cd is extraordinary. All the songs are gorgeous and exciting to listen to. John Williams' interpretation and technique are perfect. After 22 years of listening to it, I still enjoy and appreciate it more every time. I love giving it as a gift.

Strauss: Four Last Songs; Wagner" Excerpts from Tristan und Isolde & Götterdämmerung

Average customer rating:

Strauss: Four Last Songs; Wagner" Excerpts from Tristan und Isolde & Götterdämmerung

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000O59Z0C
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

I. Beim Schlafengehen
II. September
III. Fruhling
IV. Im Abendrot
Prelude
Mild Und Leise Wie Er Lachelt
Dawn And Siegfried's Rhine Journey
Starke Scheite Schichtet Mir Dort

Average customer rating:

Alex Skolnik's shredding second album
Listen To the new order! Or I'll burn you to that cross!
Couldn't be more under-rated
4.5 stars. Essential listening
Reign of Terror goes on

The New Order
Testament
Manufacturer: Megaforce / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002IMG
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Eerie Inhabitants
The New Order
Trial By Fire
Into The Pit
Hypnosis
Disciples Of The Watch
The Preacher
Nobody's Fault
A Day of Reckoning
Musical Death (A Dirge)

Customer Reviews:

Alex Skolnik's shredding second album.......2007-05-07

This was one of the first albums I ever bought. Alex's shredding unique guitar composition makes this a must have. I remember getting this for christmas when I was in 6th grade, after reading about it in a metal mag called Amplified Assault (too bad they only had 5 issues, it was the best). It was the first one I listened to and subsequently learned to play Muical Death on the guitar.
Musical Death is an instrumental guitar piece by Alex Skolnik and it alone makes this album worth buying.
A very inspiring album. 5 star

Listen To the new order! Or I'll burn you to that cross!.......2007-02-18

This is a very good record, and confirms why Testament should be in the big four of thrash in place of Anthrax. The vocals and guitars are meld to create a classic thrash album. The songwriting on here is fairly solid, and there are plenty of memorable songs. The intro song is a great example, after leading off with a winding baroque sounding solo, the song kicks into a great classic thrash stomp with great vocals a memorable chorus and another thrashtastic solo. What more can you want. Songs like Into the Pit, Eerie Inhabitants, Disciples of The Watch, Trial By Fire and the title track are all solid excellent thrashers. Even more the bands cover of Aerosmith's Nobody's fault is BETTER than the origional and is very good along with the beautiful instrumental. The album does have some filler in Day of Reckoning and The Preacher but overall its a solid thrash record that can be comfortably mentioned in the list of top 10 thrash albums ever. Very good. Maybe not essential if you only want a few thrash records to listen to but its still great.

Couldn't be more under-rated.......2006-11-03

Every now and then i forget how totally awesome Testament is, only to rediscover how much i love every single song by them. I'm sitting here trying to think of any flaws and with the band, there just isn't. Great singing, great riffs, great basslines, great drums, great solos, great harmonies, everything. the only one thing i could MAYBE say that isnt so good about the older Testament cds is that the recording quality is very...80's. But if you're into metal as much as you should be, then you should be into all sorts of old 80s bands with not so great recording.
buy this cd people, and every other testament cd while you're at it. they're all pretty much best-of's. you need all of them. you will not be dissapointed.

4.5 stars. Essential listening.......2006-09-14

Are you a little bored with the usual Anthrax, Metallica, Megadeth, and slayer stuff? Want more thrash? Check out this EXTREMELY underrated band. Who are they? you may ask. This band is from the bay area, and their name is Testament. These guys are one of the few great thrashers that never sold out. Their first 3 cd's "the legacy" "The New Order" and "practice what you preach" are all classics. Unfortunately, amazon doesn't hold "the legacy". But "The New Order" is similar anyway, so you can get this instead. Let's go into the tracks shall we?

Eerie Inhabitants: 10/10 with a creepy guitar intro, you may be expecting some sort of weird ballad. but you're dead wrong.... amazing riffs throughout. Alex Skolnick can really shread his guitar!

The New ORder: 10/10 another great thrash classic

Trial by fire: 10/10 "

Into the pit: 9/10 a great thrasher but much too short. Can you guess what you're supposed to do when you listen to this one?

Hypnosis: 8/10 a bit weird. just 2 minutes of... well weirdness. nothing much to it really

Disciples of the watch: 10/10 Testament get back on track here, with a great thrasher. 5 minutes of pure head banging.

The preacher: 9/10 This song ain't bad. A bit below par when compared to Disciples of the watch

Nobody's fault: 10/10 one of my personal fav's of the album. This is great!

A day of reckoning: 9/10 this song is exactly 4 minutes. These are the times when you're kind of bored. some of the songs on this album may sound similar to each other. needs a few listens to get used to.

Musical death: 10/10 another one of my personal fav's. A great instrumental.

overall this is a great thrash classic. This is a must own along with Rust in peace, Master of puppets, Seasons in the abyss, and Among the living.

Reign of Terror goes on.......2006-08-19

Gang vocals - a trademark of the Bay Area thrash scene and often emulated by thrash acts from outside that region. In many reviews of Bay Area thrash acts, the gang vocal factor is often ignored. But it was the bellow of the band as a whole that helped propel the songs and give them bombast. Testament uses the gang vocals style to perfection on both "The Legacy" (especially "Curse of the Legions of Death" with its primal "Provoke the dead!") and on this, their sophomore release, "The New Order." Just check out the title track and, yes, the mosh pit masterpiece "Into the Pit." The energy is frantic and contagious. When I saw them in Syracuse, NY on their tour for this album almost twenty years ago, the pit was a sweaty surge of bedlam.

No, Testament did not top the cathartic brilliance of their debut album, but they suffered no sophomore slump either. Every song on this album is a thrashing slap of power and riffs. Did I mention the energy? The aggression? The way the band works seamlessly as a unit, with bellowing Chuck Billy as ringmaster keeping the rage in focus?

It's no wonder that most new metal bands pale in comparison to classic thrashers like Testament. How do you top the intensity of the Bay Area scene from the late-80s? Answer: you can't and you don't. You merely pay respects to the masters.

Average customer rating:

Classic! One of the best of the era
Underrated Classic Thrash
Testament Legacy!
Great debut, One of the best thrash albums ever
Essential thrash metal

The Legacy
Testament
Manufacturer: Megaforce / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002IKR
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Over The Wall
The Haunting
Burnt Offerings
Raging Waters
C.O.T.L.O.D.
First Strike Is Deadly
Do Or Die
Alone In The Dark
Apocalyptic City

Amazon.com

Shortly after Metallica became marketable, the heavy metal community began to focus on several other thrash bands from the San Francisco Bay area. Most came and went in the span of time it took to play side one of Master of Puppets, but Testament began a musical crusade that continues today. The band's debut album The Legacy (1987) still holds up as a fine example of hook-laden thrash music. Songs like "Over the Wall" and "The Haunting" balance barreling blast beats and caustic screams with tuneful guitar licks and semi-melodic vocals. Although he eventually quit the band because he didn't approve of its ultra-heavy direction, lead guitarist Alex Skolnick was a large part of Testament's early appeal. And on The Legacy, his euphoric leads and intricate bridge work makes the music enjoyable even when the rest of band sounds somewhat generic. --Jon Wiederhorn

Customer Reviews:

Classic! One of the best of the era.......2007-05-07

Their first album, this has always been a favorite of mine, its heavy and clean and the guitar work is great.

Underrated Classic Thrash.......2007-03-21

Testament often tends to get lost in the shuffle. In the midst of Slayer and Megadeth and early Metallica, it is not difficult to understand why. The Legacy is a great classic thrash album that can be easily overlooked but should not be. Fans of old school thrash will definitely love this album. Great guitar work, great vocals, and breakneck speed are everywhere in this album. The Legacy is an absolutely excellent thrash album and should not be overlooked by fans of thrash. It rocks.

Testament Legacy!.......2006-05-28

I love Thrash Metal, and Testament has to be one of the greatest bands in thrash along with Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. Chuck Billy's vocals kind of remind me of James Hetfield but with a more higher pitch, I dunno that's how I heard it. But this album is a thrash classic - enough said.

Great debut, One of the best thrash albums ever.......2006-05-20

Testament is one of the forgotten band of the Bay Area thrash scene of the 80's. They were technically as good as Megadeth, as agressive as Slayer and Pantera and as melodic as Metallica. The lead guitarist Alex Skolnick was only 17 when he played on this album and his style sounds like a mix of Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch and Kirk Hammett. The lead guitar playing is incredible, the riffs kick ass and the vocals sound great.

1.Over the Wall- 10/10 A great opener. The opening riff has a great harmony and is heavy at the same time. The song is fast and heavy and Chuck Billy's agressive vocals are excellent. A ton of great riffs in this song and the chorus is great with Chuck Billy's high pitched scream and the shouted backround vocals. The guitar solo is excellent aswell and starts off slow before going into a fast melodic epic power metal tyle section which has some great sweep picking. A classic song with great guitar work and vocals. Thrash metal at it's best.

2.The Haunting- 10/10 Another great melodic thrash song. Chuck Billy's vocals are excellent and the harmonized riff is great aswell. The shouted backround vocals kick ass too. A great shredding solo too.

3.Burnt Offerings- 10/10 An awesome melodic song. The intro is soft and has a great harmony in it and than it goes into a killer thrash section. The song is similar to Blackened by Metallica. A great chorus too and plenty of great harmonies. The solo is excellent once again and reminds me a lot of Kirk Hammett's Master Of Puppets solo.

4.Raging Waters- 8/10 Another good song. This song reminds me of early Slayer. Chuck Billy's vocals aren't quite as good as on the other songs. There are still some cool riffs though. Some good screams and the chorus is pretty good too . Alex Skolnick's solo is incredible and one of his fastest! Not as great as the classics on the album but still a good song.

5.C.O.T.L.O.D.- 8/10 Another good song. this is a very short song at only 2:30 and reminds me a lot of early Slayer. A good chorus and some excellent riffs. Another great shredding solo too.

6.First Strike Is Deadly- 10/10 Another good heavy thrash song. A great screamed chorus and some killer riffs. The backround vocals kick ass too. Another blazing solo too and it has a great melodic sweeping section that reminds me of Yngwie. The harmony part of the solo reminds me of Metallica. Chuck Billy's scream after the solo is great too.

7.Do or Die- 10/10 A classic. Yet another thrash song. The lyrics are cool and the chorus is good. Another blazing solo and some more killer riffs. this classic kicks ass. The best 2 songs on the album are the last though!

8.Alone in the Dark- 10/10 This melodic thrash masterpeice starts off with a great slow melodic guitar solo. The riff just kicks ass. The idea of playing the melody in octaves is cool too. Chuck Billy's vocals are very good and the chorus is excellent. The heavy riff and shouted backround vocals kick ass. The diminished harmony fill is great too. Some of the best lyrics on the album too. I think this is the best song on the album. The interlude is excellent and leads into another great melodic harmony line. Alex Skolnick's shredding solo is great and reminds me of Yngwie Malmsteen. The slower melodic ending to the solo is great too. This is not only my favorite song on the album but my favorite Testament song! A classic!

9.Apocalyptic City- 10/10 Another masterpeice. the creepy soft intro shreds chills down my spine and the slow melodic intro solo is great too. The first heavy riff is slower and once again the vocal melody is played in octaves on guitar. This is my second favorite song on the album. Another great harmonized riff aswell. This turns into a thrash song and Chuck Billy delivers another great performance. More awesome shoted backround vocals and a killer chorus. The guitar solo is impressive as hell and has some great sweep picking and shredding. Another great melodic section of the solo. A classic thrash song that is almost as good as Alone In The Dark. A great way to end the album. This is also the longest song on the album.

This is my favorite Testament album. The songs are like a mix of Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Megadeth and Yngwie Malmsteen. This album is up there with such masterpeices as Ride The Lighting, Cowboys From Hell, Rust In Peace, Master Of Puppets, Vulgar Display Of Power and Show No Mercy. This album is full of great thrash riffs, thrashy drumming, melodic shredding solos, harmonies, agressive vocals, soft parts leading into thrash songs...just everything you could ask for in a thrash album. Fans of Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, Megadeth, Exodus ect. should all own this. A masterpeice!

Chuck Billy- Vocals
Alex Skolnick- Guitar
Eric Peterson- Guitar
Louie Clemente- Drums
Greg Christian- Bass

Essential thrash metal.......2006-05-09

When people think of thrash metal from the 80s, the Big Four(Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax) tend to come to mind. But if it had been the Big Five, Testament definitely would have been that fifth band. But even though they may not be as well-known, it doesn't take away from their music at all. And what good music it is! This lacks the polish of albums like Practice What You Preach, but I think that helps the music in this case. It is definitely raw, which always helps a band's first album in my opinion.

Over the Wall blasts this killer album off with fast-paced and somewhat melodic riffing. When Chuck starts singing, you can tell this album will kick some ass because he sings with such power. You can't help but love it when he goes "Holding the quest for freedom THAT BECKONS ME!" Chuck gives some good shrieks on this song, and the guitar solo shows us the genius of Alex Skolnick (who was still a teenager at the time, I might add.) Very melodic and breathtaking solo, it's amazing how he could play so flawlessly at such a young age! The Haunting is a killer thrasher, with some very menacing riffs at the beginning. Chuck shows us just how fast he can sing on some parts of the song, and he also gives us some evil shrieks. My favorite one is when he goes "For the haunting now BEGINS!" Gives me goosebumps every time. Alex's solo is amazing, and pretty damn fast as well. Burnt Offerings has a very peaceful and soft intro, and Alex does some emotional guitar playing. But pretty soon the song picks up and turns into a killer metal tune. The singing and the riffs are both quite catchy and Louie's drumming is pretty good on here. Chuck's shrieks on this one are particularly sickening. Raging Waters is a mean metal song with ass-kicking riffs. Alex and Eric are both riff-masters by the way. Chuck sings the verses fast (How does he keep his breath?) and the chorus in a melodic voice. He even gives us some low growls towards the end, hinting at his later style of singing. That is one of the many things I like about Chuck, he can sing in a low voice, a high voice, a melodic voice, you name it. Alex gives us another wild and fast guitar solo as well. Do or Die immediately grabs you with heavy riffs and stellar drum work. The chorus to this song is one of the catchiest choruses on the album, it may not sound like it fits, but you have to hear it because it really does work! Gotta love that shriek of "HELL IS THE PLACE YOU'LL GO!" Now that is a metal shriek, folks! Alex tops it all of with a good solo.

Alone in the Dark starts with melodic guitar playing, which soon gets heavier. The chorus is on here is really melodic and nicely sung by Chuck, it doesn't even sound like him! If you have any doubts that he can sing, then check that chorus out! Speaking of melody, you gotta hear Alex's solo. It is wondefully done and very brilliant. Even the riffs have a bit of melody in there! C.O.T.L.O.D. is a killer speed metal song, perfect for mosh pits. Alex and Eric's riffs will beat you senseless right from the start. Louie's drumming on here is some of his best on the album, fast and crushing! I love those gang vocals of "Provoke the dead!" towards the end, and Chuck's laugh is great too. Nice little solo in there too! First Strike is Deadly has a creepy intro, but it soon turns into some awesome heavy metal! Louie is all over the drums, and the riffs on this song are metal through and through. Chuck's screams are some of best here, especailly when he goes "FIRST STRIKE IS DEADLY!" that always makes my hairs stand on end. This fantastic album ends with a fantastic closer: Apocalyptic City. It has a beautiful intro with great guitar work, but soon morphs some more kick-ass metal. "Burn! Feel no shame or pity/Burn! Apocalyptic City." How can you not love those lyrics? Alex's solo is his best on the album. No contest at all. The melody is simply outstanding, you may find yourself rewinding the song just to hear that solo over and over again. Chuck gives one last shriek at the end, and it brings the album to a memorable close.

By 1987, there were many thrash bands, but I think Testament stands above many of them. Their riffs are brutal, yet catchy in a way. And I mentioned before how talented of a vocalist Chuck is. And having Alex Skolnick in your band doesn't hurt either! Trust me, if you haven't heard this guy before, then all of the praise he gets is deserved! He is not overrated in any way, his solos put him in a league of his own. This is not mainstream music, this is a raw and dirty piece of thrash metal. And if you like that mean sound in thrash (and why the hell wouldn't you?) then get The Legacy as soon as you can!

Average customer rating:

Testament rules!
different but thrash still
Great album often overlooked.
Another great Testament disc
A Thrash Classic!!

Practice What You Preach
Testament
Manufacturer: Megaforce / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

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Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000002IOJ
Release Date: 1989-08-02

Tracks:

Practice What You Preach
Perilous Nation
Envy Life
Time Is Coming
Blessed In Contempt
Greenhouse Effect
Sins Of Omission
The Ballad
Nightmare (Coming Back To You)
Confusion Fusion

Customer Reviews:

Testament rules!.......2006-07-26

This has got to be the best Testament album! This band ranks up there with Slayer. Hardcore thrash and yet the melodic subtleties blow your mind away during the slow song "The Ballad". The lead singer Chuck has an awesome voice and if you've ever seen them in concert he bangs his head NON-STOP! My personal favorites on this album are "Sins Of Omission" and "Nightmare(Coming Back To You)". There's some really cool hardcore bass goin on in "Confusion Fusion". Every single song on this album rocks. You can listen to this album from start to finish without wanting to skip any songs. In other words...go buy this album NOW!!! And then buy some of their other albums.
NOW!!!

different but thrash still.......2006-06-02

Testament's first 2 albums are typical thrash albums with great songs on it. Testament's breakthrough album is Practice What You Preach - a more polished album with more melodies and catchiness. The songs aren't as thrashy or as fast as the previous albums but it still sounds and feels like Testament. This is one of my favorites currently and I just love the music this band comes up with!! \m/

Great album often overlooked. .......2006-02-01

Testament's third release "Practice what you Preach" is a superb metal effort that is under-appreciated and often overlooked. The late 80's/early 90's was a great time for heavy metal. Classic albums from Metallica, Slayer and Pantera were pushing out the hair metal crap that for some reason carried the title of metal. It was a good time to be a fan of rock and roll. Great new bands were starting to gain notariety. One of these bands was the San Fransisco quintet Testament. Putting out a number of albums in a span of a few years Testament were set on making it big. Why they never did is a mystery to me. This album was the follow up to arguably the most popular and in my opinion best Testament album "The New Order." Perhaps this one may have been a little too rushed following the release of their masterpiece. A few of the songs on the end could be viewed by some as filler songs but I still love them. It seems that every thrash band has four main albums that really define them as a band. For Metallica it was Ride The Lightning, Master of Puppets, And Justice for All, and Metallica (Black Album), for Megadeth it was Peace Sells, Rust in Peace, Countdown to Extinction and So Far So Good So What and for Testament it is The Legacy, The New Order, Practice What you Preach and The Ritual. You wont find too many people that agree with me but Testament's work is just as impressive as the afore mentioned bands. Testament is the lost thrash band and deserve more credit then they are given.

Another great Testament disc.......2006-01-03

Testament may not have invented thrash metal, but they are still a very underrated band. The musicians in Testament are equally as talented as anybody in thrash's Big Four bands (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax), and they are more hook oriented than many speed metal bands. Lead guitarist Alex Skolnick's solos are a lot more technical than Slayer's, and are usually every bit as breathtaking as Metallica's. The guitar shredding on Testament's third studio album, "Practice What You Preach" (which was released in 1989), is, of course, no exception. Even when the rest of the band (especially the drummer) sounds somewhat generic, Skolnick soars on every track with fiery, blowtorch riffs and wonderful solos. "Time Is Coming" and the title track are both catchy numbers with chugging riffs, thumping drums, and vocals which almost echo James Hatfield (plus "Practice What You Preach" has a shout a long of "preach!" in the chorus.) These songs are also both capped off by a lengthy, wailing guitar solo. Likewise, "Perilous Nation" features up and down, classical-sounding guitar work, "Envy Life" has an ascending solo, and "Sins of Omission" is highlighted by another superb, very complex solo which has several different parts to it. Other standout tracks include "The Ballad" and the instrumental (albeit brief) album closer, "Confusion Fusion." The former track, "The Ballad," kind of sounds like Metallica's 1986 single, "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)," because it begins as a power ballad with acoustic plunking, but it gradually builds and gains momentum. Over the years, this album has taken a slight dip in sound quality, but it has aged better than some of the music from the Eighties. Testament may not be as iconic as some thrash bands, but albums like "Practice What You Preach" prove that they definitely should be. This is another great, must-own album from one of thrash's most important, most underrated, and finest bands.

A Thrash Classic!!.......2005-11-27

What can you say but Testament Rulz!! This cd is a Thrash masterpiece. "The Ballad" is one of their better slow songs ever recorded. It picks up in the end. Practice what you preach is a solid cd and only second to "The New Order". If you like Thrash and don't have this cd you're missing out!

Average customer rating:

An AWESOME "Rheingold" from a "RING" for the Ages!
Age defying performance.
What a find!
The Bayreuth 1955 Ring Cycle by Testament
About that "hissing noise"...

Wagner: Das Rheingold

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Wagner: Die Walküre
Wagner: Siegfried
Wagner: Götterdämmerung
Wagner: Der Fliegende Holländer
Wagner - Gotterdammerung

ASIN: B000J20D6A
Release Date: 2006-12-12

Tracks:

Prelude
Weia! Wega!
Garstig Glatter Glitsch'riger Glimmer
Wallala! Wallala! Lalaleia! Lalaleia!
Lugt, Schewestern!
Der Welt Erbe
Wotan, Gemahl, Erwache!
Sanft Schlob Schlaf Dein Aug'
Zu Mir, Freia!
Endlich Loge!
Immer Ist Undank Loges Lohn!
Eini Runezauber Zwingt Das Gold Zum Reif
Hor, Wotan, Der Harrenden Wort!
Was Sinnt Nun Wotan So Wild?
Jetzt Fand Ich's

Tracks:

Auf, Loge, Hinab Mit Mir!
Schau, Du Schelm!
Nibelheim Hier
Nehmt Euch In Acht!
Vergeh', Frevelnder Gauch!
Ohe! Ha Ha Ha!
Da, Vetter, Sitze Du Fest!
Gezahlt Hab'ich
Bin Ich Nun Frei?
Fasolt Und Fafner Nahen Von Fern
Gepflanzt Sind Die Pfahle Nach Pfandes Mab
Weiche, Wotan; Weiche!
Hort, Ihr Riesen!
Schwules Gedunst
Abendlich Strahlt Der Sonne Auge
Ihrem Ende Eilen Sie Zu
Rheingold! Rheingold! Reines Gold!

Amazon.com

This, the third installment in the first stereo Ring (once thought lost), from the stage of the Bayreuth Festival in 1955, is as impressive and crucial to any collection as the previously released Siegfried and Die Walküre. Joseph Keilberth, whose devotion to Wagner was so great that he died conducting the second act of Tristan, leads an incredibly tight performance--almost jaunty in its storytelling. The opening chord, depicting the Rhine, is not played softly as marked; it does rather plunge us into the action with more energy than usual. The singing is universally remarkable. Hans Hotter's Wotan towers in its snideness and potency, while the Fricka of Georgine von Milinkovic is more subtle and alluring than we're accustomed to. Gustav Neidlinger's Alberich is, as on so many other recordings in which he sings this role, something to reckon with--a despicable but wretched character. The giants of Ludwig Weber and Josef Greindl have probably never been bettered; Paul Kuen's Mime is articulate and creepy and Rudolf Lustig's Loge is wily and clearly, cleanly sung. The only stain on this recording is the dreadful hissing noise given off by something called a "Mixtur-Trautonium," an electronic device invented to simulate the sound of the Nibelungs' anvils in Nibelheim. It's a distraction, but it can be lived with. This set is a must-have, and the extraneous noise during that scene is small price to pay for a performance this thrilling. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

An AWESOME "Rheingold" from a "RING" for the Ages!.......2007-06-19

This recording of Wagner's "Das Rheingold" recorded live at Bayreuth in 1955 is a TRUE masterpiece, a testament to the heights that can be reached when "everyone works together" for the sake of the "art" itself, not self-aggrandisement (which we have today, generally). Every aspect of this recording pales every other! It immediately, and solidly, goes to the top of the list of "Das Rheingold" choices on disc. As do the remaining three operas, also recorded at the same time, by the same cast, that make up the "Ring".

Going back over the decades of my life, I remember when you only had one choice for a "Ring"...Solti/Decca, and that was it.

Then, there came the von Karajan, and then the Bohm/Bayreuth. Then, there seemed to be a mini-explosion of "Rings" over the following years, so many that it became/becomes staggering to think about!

Two statements:
1) If you are NEW to Wagner's "Ring" do not become confused with all the choices out there. There are really only two live recordings you need consider...the Krauss/Bayreuth, and this one, Keilberth/Bayreuth, and one studio recording to think about, the Solti/Decca set. You may think this excessive, but you NEED all three of these recordings. Period.
2) If you are FAMILIAR with Wagner's "Ring", then, assumably, you want the Best recording of it. I will assume you already have the Solti set, as most people do. The Krauss set you may or may not have. It is a stunner. And, now, the Keilberth....the most awesome recording, in many ways, you will ever experience.

Think: 1955, live, Bayreuth, the Best Wagnerians of their age, assembled together at the behest of Wagner's grandsons, in Wagner's theater, and the best part....recorded in STEREO! By Decca, of all people, before the Solti studio Ring was ever thought about! Why Decca sat on these magnificent recordings just blows my mind.

Luckily for us, Testament acquired the rights to release these timeless recordings, and we now, after 52 years, can marvel at and enjoy these magnificent performances of four of the greatest musical masterpieces ever written, combining to make up the most monumental work ever written for the stage! Enjoy this (set) of Masterpiece Recordings! ~operabruin

Age defying performance........2007-05-07

Never let the age of this recording deter you. It is vibrant. It is alive. The companion Götterdämmerung is even a little harsh - it adds to the primordial nature of the people. This performance is astounding. Hotter, whose contributions to the Solti Ring and some other later recordings were tremulous and far beyond prime, is here absolutely the god he should be. His voice alone conveys that, but what he does with it shows why he was the Wotan of choice for so long. Gustav Neidlinger is his foil - Alberich. He is just as malevolent as in Solti, but he is even fresher of voice. That can be said of all singers in the entire cycle. A telling scene in this recording is the natural flow of the Nibelheim scene. It is a conversation, so natural and easy that one hardly notices that Loge is maneuvering the conversation.

To those who have no Ring, this is an excellent choice. to those who own the Solti Ring, Karajan Ring, or whomever, this is a wonderful alternative. I was amazed at the quality of the sound. Why only 4 stars? Well, in the later music dramas, Walküre and Siegfried, Keilberth takes tempi that would allow those two operas to be on three CDs each. But they spread them over four CDs. At the Testament price, that gets very expensive.

What a find!.......2007-03-22

What a find this recording is! Along with others in this "Ring" series, Keilberth's performance adds invaluably to what we know about the Bayreuth performing tradition. As a conductor, Keilberth has at times been underrated by reviewers, but this "Ring" cycle is putting his detractors to shame. Like Kempe, he has an ability to propel the score in ways that are hard to define; without projecting himself as a "personality", he brings the music marvellously alive. And it happens that, looking back, one finds him at the center of many memorable productions; a "Freischutz" from the late fifties, a "Barber of Seville" from around the same time, and, much earlier still, a "Turandot" with Maria Cebotari that is astonishing. The other main revelation, in these "Ring" recordings, is the crystalline, beautiful sound. Many of the essays in early stereo--RCA's records with Reiner in Chicago, Decca's recordings in Vienna or EMI's in England--have a propensity to be more detailed and attractive than later recordings. Ever wonder why? This is not the place to try answering, but it's clear that Keilberth's 1955 "Ring" takes its honored place among that group, and bids fair to become--at least in my experience--the most glorious-sounding set of records ever.

The Bayreuth 1955 Ring Cycle by Testament.......2007-03-08

I now have the four disc sets in this series of the Ring. Three I've bought at Amazon, after realizing the pricing was much better here than at Borders where I bought the first.
All are excellent recordings. Truly top notch, though not inexpensive.
If the Ring Cycle is music you enjoy, I highly recommend this set with it's excellent musicians and singers.

About that "hissing noise"..........2007-02-22

It begins at about 1 hour 8 minutes in, and continues for about 25 minutes. It's undoubtedly annoying - like really bad tape hiss. But at *no* point does it (even slightly) obscure the voices of Hotter & Neidlinger etc. at their absolute peak, in (otherwise) excellent sound.

Anybody who dismisses this remarkable set simply because of that is just missing the forest for the trees. But if you're in doubt, all you have to do is listen to the audio samples that Amazon has so helpfully provided: those for Disc 2, tracks 2 through 6 show off the "hissing noise" at its worst.

For whatever it's worth, I think that those who are kicking up a fuss over said "hissing nose" are being more than a bit silly. And I can't help wondering whether they could deal, even for a moment, with the much more severe audio compromises required to appreciate the incomparable recorded interpretations of Frida Leider & Lauritz Melchior & Friedrich Schorr.

Average customer rating:

A "SIEGFRIED" for the AGES from a "RING for the AGES"
Part 3 of the Definitive Ring
None Better!
AN EPIC RING - PART III
Excellent Work - Limited Appeal

Wagner: Siegfried

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs

ASIN: B000E4FI54
Release Date: 2006-04-11

Amazon.com

This live-from-Bayreuth 1955 Siegfried, in stereo, was professionally recorded by Decca's engineers as part of what was to be the first full Ring Cycle on records. Contractual disputes and producer John Culshaw's desire to produce an "ideal" Ring in the studio killed the release of this Ring, and the tapes were locked away in some dark chamber until now. The result is breathtaking: Hotter, Windgassen (playing his first Siegfried), Neidlinger (as Alberich), and Varnay at their best, with Joseph Keilberth at the helm. Keilberth was not one for "interpretation" or anything other than telling a good story with drama, fine pacing, and musical accuracy. His tempi are invariably quick without ever being rushed, and he has some of Böhm's intensity, some of Solti's visceral excitement, and some of Furtwängler's grandeur, while at the same time presenting a Siegfried that is very much its own. I'm not certain that this is the "best" performance of this opera, but if it were the only one you owned, it would be enough. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A "SIEGFRIED" for the AGES from a "RING for the AGES".......2007-06-20

This recording of Wagner's "SIEGFRIED" recorded live at Bayreuth in 1955 is a TRUE masterpiece, a testament to the heights that can be reached when "everyone works together" for the sake of the "art" itself, not self-aggrandisement (which we have today, generally). Every aspect of this recording pales every other! It immediately, and solidly, goes to the top of the list of "SIEGFRIED" choices on disc. As do the remaining three operas, also recorded at the same time, by the same cast, that make up the "Ring".

Going back over the decades of my life, I remember when you only had one choice for a "Ring"...Solti/Decca, and that was it.

Then, there came the von Karajan, and then the Bohm/Bayreuth. Then, there seemed to be a mini-explosion of "Rings" over the following years, so many that it became/becomes staggering to think about!

Two statements:
1) If you are NEW to Wagner's "Ring" do not become confused with all the choices out there. There are really only two live recordings you need consider...the Krauss/Bayreuth, and this one, Keilberth/Bayreuth, and one studio recording to think about, the Solti/Decca set. You may think this excessive, but you NEED all three of these recordings. Period.
2) If you are FAMILIAR with Wagner's "Ring", then, assumably, you want the Best recording of it. I will assume you already have the Solti set, as most people do. The Krauss set you may or may not have. It is a stunner. And, now, the Keilberth....the most awesome recording, in many ways, you will ever experience.

Think: 1955, live, Bayreuth, the Best Wagnerians of their age, assembled together at the behest of Wagner's grandsons, in Wagner's theater, and the best part....recorded in STEREO! By Decca, of all people, before the Solti studio Ring was ever thought about! Why Decca sat on these magnificent recordings just blows my mind.

Luckily for us, Testament acquired the rights to release these timeless recordings, and we now, after 52 years, can marvel at and enjoy these magnificent performances of four of the greatest musical masterpieces ever written, combining to make up the most monumental work ever written for the stage! Enjoy this (set) of Masterpiece Recordings! ~operabruin

Part 3 of the Definitive Ring.......2007-01-29

I have never understood why Siegfried is the stepchild of Ring operas. This score, despite the dark moments involving the schemings of Mime, Alberich, the menace of Fafner and the ambivalent abdication of Wotan, is a joyous, spirited work which celebrates the dawn of a new, uncorrupted world, even though that illusion is shattered in Goetterdaemmerung, largely because Siegfried's freedom from Wotan and his dealings is also illusory. But for the while, we can rejoice in the promise of youth and love. And there is humor, albeit of a rather ironic nature, in the encounters between Siegfried and his pathetically villanous foster-father Miime. Siegfried certainly earns its nickname as the Ring's Scherzo.
Conductor Joseph Keilberth delivers the most exhuberant reading I have ever heard of this score. At first, I found his jarring, as though it did not fit with the character of Rheingold and Walkure, but as he works his way to Act 3 and Wotan's resigned encounter with Erda, the underlying gloom is there, alright, just momentarily supplanted by the courageous young Volsung who has forged his father's sword, gained his identity, and is off to experience the one emotion he has never received from anyone, love. It is impossible to speak of all the great details and character of Keilberth's performance save to say that it tops every other in drive, sensitivity (the Forest Murmurs have to be heard to be believed in their extreme sensitivity)and profundity. This is for me the very peak of great Wagner conducting.
The cast is probasbly the best ever assembled for this work. Windgassen completely surpasses himself; he is more tender and vulnerable than almost any other Siegfried (Max Lorenz is his equal, but no better, and Windgassen makes Melchior sound like a noisy bellower), but in addition, HE REALLY IS A HELDENTENOR HERE! He rings with heroic might in "Nothung! Nothung! Neidliches Schwert!" in Act 1, his musings in Acts 2 and 3 are the very height of gentleness (No Nazi, this Siegfried!) and he is freah and ardent in the great Awakening Scene. For sure, he has never equalled his sheer potency in this role. I am sure he will be at least as great in Goetterdaemmerung.
Hans Hotter completes his role of Wotan, under the guise of Wanderer. He is wise, humorous, resigned in his encounter with Erda in Act 3, but then suddenly reveals Wotan's self-delusions when he reacts aggressively to Siegfried, only to be rudely dismissed when his power is shattered. No other Wotan has ever reached these heights, and Hotter remains THE Wotan of all time, even beating such immortals as Schorr, Schipper, Bockelmann, and Sigurd Bjoerling.
Paul Kuen is really deliciously maliciuos as Mime, especially in his oily, poisonous attempt to kill Siegfried in Act 2; for once, there is no reason to pity this character, he is just SO nasty and slimy. Neidlinger's Alberich, by comparison, has dignity and just grievances against his counterpart Wotan ("Licht-Alberich", after all!). Greindl is frightening as Fafner, giant-turned-dragon, but dies with regret at having murdered his brother Fasolt and now suffering the same fate. Hollweg is an enchanting Forest Bird, almost sounding like a boy treble, as specified by Wagner. Von Illosvay is even more impressive as Erda here than in Rheingold, majestically implacable and outraged at Wotan's hypocrisy.
And then, there is Astrid Varnay.
Flagstad, Nilsson, Moedl, Leider, move over! ASTRID RULES!
Has there ever been as radiant a "Heil dir, Sonne!" as Varnay's? NO! She is perfection itself. From proud goddess to a woman fearful of human emotions to ardent lover, she is right there at every moment. How she could have been so unappreicated in America is appalling to me. She is truly the great Hochdramatische!
The sound is if anything even more impressive than in the previous two operss. Culshaw should be resurrected and hung byt he you-=know-whats for keeping this from the public ofr so many years.
No doubt about it, BAYREUTH, KEILBERTH, WINDGASSEN, HOTTER AND VARNAY RULE FOREVER!

None Better!.......2007-01-20

Rarely do new releases live up to the hype, but in this case the buzz about the Testament releases of the live stereo Bayreuth recordings from the mid and early 1950s of Wagner's Ring operas was absolutely accurate. Windgassen was considered by some to be a little light-voiced for a true heldentenor, but he more than compensates for any possible lack of vocal heft with his artistry and musicality. And here he is in his prime, and unlike his later recording of Siegfried a decade later, his voice has lost none of its flexibility.
Hans Hotter is perhaps the greatest Wagnerian baritone of the 20th century. Others may have had darker or richer natural voices, but few have had voices with more character and none sang with greater artistry. And Astrid Varnay is nothing short of a revelation. She sings with a fiery richness, with almost a mezzo-soprano timbre, that makes her singing, particularly her final duet with Windgassen, simply electrifying. Interestingly enough, although all three sang at the Met, neither Windgassen nor Hotter had much of a Met career, and Varnay was essentially forced out of regular Met appearances--all because Rudolph Bing didn't like any of them. (What WAS he thinking of! This is probably the best cast for Siegfried assembled in the last 60 years!)
The smaller parts are also well sung, and the orchestra plays with a richness of tone and directness of purpose that is quite refreshing when compared to some other, more self-indulgent, performances. The sound quality is quite good--and is positively remarkable for a live stereo recording in 1955. The price is a little scary, but the recording is available for less from the other sellers on Amazon. It is worth it.

AN EPIC RING - PART III.......2007-01-14

Ten years is a long time in the life of any singer but especially a Wagnerian singer. Comparing this recording with the wonderful Solti recording proves this. Hotter is magnificent here in 1955 and is stressed to the limits for Solti in the 60s. Windgassen is wonderfully lyric and even sweet and fresh in 1955. He's leathery and a bit pushed for Solti; maybe even a bit tight and tired sounding. This wonderful Bayreuth cast owned the Ring at this theater in the 50s; a true GOLDEN ERA @ Bayreuth. Don't miss them or any of their colleagues! The sound just keeps getting better with each successive opera as well as the conducting. Varnay is simply one of the GREAT BRUNNHILDES - right up there with Leider, Flagstad and Traubel. She is Brunnhilde musically and dramatically at one with the being. She truly lives every minute. I like her warm full sound. Well I expect great things in GOTTERDAMMERUNG. Again the Bayreuth acoustics with the special orchestra pit make it so easy for the singers to be heard without forcing over the magnificent orchestrations. TRY the 1955 Bayreuth Ring. You won't regret it. If Gotterdammerung sounds this good and is sung and conducted this thrillingly, I wonder if Culshaw was afraid of the competition? This has all signs of being one of THOSE GOLDEN ERA RINGS !!!

Excellent Work - Limited Appeal.......2006-11-06

The recording is surprisingly good for its age. I needed a complete "Ring" so I purchased this recording and will purchase the others in the series from Testament. For those new to opera or those looking for some basic exposure to the popular operas, this opera is perhaps too esoteric containing both subtle and very complex themes. My limited research has labeled this performance as definative and exemplary and I agree. The voices are very good. There is some audience and stage noise, but they are appropriate for the site and time of the recording. This is an opera to study as opposed to one with memorable arias or toe-tapping rhythms.

Average customer rating:

good but not the best
their worst album to date
Souls of Thrash!
"Time is but a passageway trying to believe your life was sanity"
Cut them some slack.

Souls of Black
Testament
Manufacturer: Megaforce / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Legacy

ASIN: B000002IPZ
Release Date: 1990-10-01

Tracks:

Beginning Of The End
Face In The Sky
Falling Fast
Souls Of Black
Absence Of Light
Love To Hate
Malpractice
One Man's Fate
The Legacy
Seven Days Of May

Customer Reviews:

good but not the best.......2007-01-10

Testament has been my favorite metal band ever. Even though I loved Megadeth and Manowar too much at the time, I've always had a special love in Testament. It's mostly because of Alex Skolnick, who is one of Satriani's students, that created his own style and licks , without copying Satriani's. (Testament has never been the same after he left). and also Peterson, Clemente and Christian were monsters at their instruments, with Billy and his killing vocal, creating incredible music and lyrics. so why I gave 4 stars to this album?? There are masterpieces like "Souls of Black", "Legacy" and "Seven Days of May" in this album but, there are two or three songs that resembles each other. This album is worth to buy but not perfect as "the new order" and "practice what you preach"

their worst album to date.......2006-01-15

out of testaments prime (the first four albums)this is easily their worst, but souls of black is still way better than anything after this album. the first three albums rule, but "souls" still kicks ass.

Souls of Thrash!.......2005-09-16

This is a very underrated album I think, I think it's even better than The Legacy, don't get me wrong, I love The Legacy, but I think they got better each album, this was released in 1990 after the awesome "Practice What You Preach", pretty much the same formula, but it is effective, the production isn't as good as on Practice What You Preach, because the fans back then wanted it to sound like "The New Order" but it fits the music well, Chuck Billy is a great vocalist, and really shines on this album, the vocals are echoed, but like I said, it's the production, and it fits, the drums are pushed back, but you can still hear them well, Skolnick and Peterson work together great, just listen to Skolnicks solo on "Face in the Sky" you will find yourself air-guitaring, and again, Testament pull off another great ballad "The Legacy" which is nothing short of killer, Billys vocals REALLY shine on this one, and the music is great also, just listen to the intro, great solo too, other standout tracks "Falling Fast" "Seven Days of May" "Souls of Black" they are all good, but I've named the best in my opinion, I'd buy the album, I don't think you'll be dissappointed, THRASH!!!

"Time is but a passageway trying to believe your life was sanity".......2005-08-30

I bought Souls of Black when it was new back in 1990. I was going through my metal period in high school (which never ended: the metal period, I mean, not high school) and I already had The Legacy and New Order by Testament which I liked but did not consider among my favorite albums. After seeing the video for the beautiful track "The Legacy" (not to be confused with the album by the same name) which incorporated the cool cover imagery, I rushed and bought Souls of Black and it quickly became one of my favorite metal albums. I did not (and still don't) notice anything rushed or under-produced about it. I just hear a solid thrash metal album with tracks so catchy (ie "Absence of Light" and the title track) I can sing along to them (I can't say that about most thrash albums). "Beginning of the End" might be considered a "filler" because it is a short instrumental but it is very cool with a Latin flavor, and it makes for a nice intro to the explosive "Face in the Sky." The only track I might consider semi-weak is "One Man's Fate" because I do not like the overall sound but even on this track there is aa highlight: kicking drums!

"Seven Days of May" deserves special mention. It is about the student-led protests held Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the People's Republic of China, between April 15, 1989 and June 4, 1989. The protest denounced China's economic instability and political corruption and was violently suppressed by the PRC government. This event was still very fresh when this album was released in 1990. On May 4, 1989, 100,000 students and workers peacefully marched in Beijing making demands for adherence to socialist principles of equality, and protesting government corruption. These demonstrations continued even after the government declared martial law on May 20. The Communist party leaders eventually sent troops and tanks to restore order. When these forces were confronted by Chinese workers in the streets of Beijing, a massacre ensued (in the words of Testament: "They tried to show a peaceful path then it turned into a blood bath / In the Square they plan the game That's when the tanks of the army came"). Even today, the Chinese government will not allow any tallies made to count the actual number of dead. So there is lyrical meat to the album. And by the way, the song kicks as do the others save for "The Legacy" which is a charming metal ballad about the discovery of one's mortality. Excellent all the way through, I recommend it without hesitation.

Cut them some slack........2004-09-14

Souls of Black is not Testament's finest album. That much is true. However, it isn't a bad record. The truth behind this recording is that the band was rushed into recording it, so it would be released at the same time as a European "Clash of the Titans" tour, featuring Megadeth and Slayer. The band has never liked it. But, there are some good songs here. (Good old vinyl years) Side one is strong. So, the first six tunes are pretty good. And side two starts with Malpractice which is okay as well. The Legacy is also a very good song. So, there's enough here to give it at least 3 stars. Where Souls of Black falters is on the production end. The sound is too thin, and not loud enough. The drums are buried way back in the mix too often. The bass is also lost in some songs. It's hard to headbang to this album, because it's just not HARD, even if the songs are heavy. But, it does provide some decent listening for metal fans. It was definately, at the time, fairly progressive thrash metal. Not the worst album you could have in your collection.

Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings (1981-1985)

Average customer rating:

skip the first 12
ALL IN ONE
Rebirth rock & roll
Rave on! Blasters Rule!
Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings

Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings (1981-1985)
The Blasters
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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American Music
Live: Going Home
Trouble Bound

ASIN: B000060OL6
Release Date: 2002-03-05

Tracks:

Marie Marie
No Other Girl
I'm Shakin'
Border Radio
American Music
So Long Baby Goodbye
Hollywood Bed
Never No More Blues
This Is It
Highway 61
I Love You So
Stop The Clock
Red Rose
Barefoot Rock
Bus Station
One More Dance
It Must Be Love
Jubilee Train
Long White Cadillac
Fool's Paradise
Boomtown
Leaving
Tag Along
Justine
Flat Top Joint
Leave My Money Alone
One Bad Stud
Blue Shadows

Tracks:

Trouble Bound
Just Another Sunday
Hey, Girl
Dark Night
Little Honey
Samson And Delilah
Colored Lights
Help You Dream
Common Man
Rock And Roll Will Stand
Can't Stop Time
Cry For Me
Kathleen
High School Confidential (live)
What Will Lucy Do? (live)
Crazy Baby (live)
Got Love If You Want It (live)
Rock Boppin' Baby (live)
Walkin' With Mr. Lee (live)
Keep A Knockin' (live)
I Don't Want To (live)
Go, Go, Go (live)
Roll 'Em Pete (live)
Take Out Some Insurance (live)

Album Description

2 CD's packaged in a deluxe gatefold digipak with 52 tracks, including 8 previously unreleased tracks, 'Flat Top Joint', 'Leave My Money Alone', 'Can't Stop Time', 'Crazy Baby' (live 1982), 'Got Love If You Want It' (live 1982), 'Walkin With Mr. Lee' (live 1982) & 'Take Out Some Insurance' (live 1995). 2002. Rhino Records.

Customer Reviews:

skip the first 12.......2007-06-10

skip the first twelve cuts, they are a work in progress, the rest really rock with that retro fifties/eighties punk attitude, well written songs....and guitar energy...

ALL IN ONE.......2007-01-10

IF YOU LIKE THE ROCKABILLY SOUND THIS IS FOR YOU. GREAT SONGS FROM ONE OF THE GREATEST BANDS FROM U.S.A., THIS COLLECTION HAVE ALL THE SONGS YOU SHOULD NEED TO HAVE FROM THE BLASTERS, A CLASICC RECORD!!!

Rebirth rock & roll.......2004-06-21

I was born in 1955. When I first heard the Blasters, it was like being born again ! I don't see how I could add to the praises others have bestowed upon this fabulous album right here, but I just wanted to insist on one point one fellow came up with : Pleeeeeaaaaaaase, re-release Phil Alvin's Unsung Stories on CD ! What on earth must we do ? Start a petition here on Amazon ? Meet in the street and start a demonstration ? A riot maybe ? Pleeeeeeeaaaaase, re-lease Unsung Stories !

Rave on! Blasters Rule!.......2004-06-19

This band was the only thing that made the 80's bearable.

The Blasters put the roll back in rock.

Celebrate them.

Love them.

LISTEN to them.

Loudly.

Daily.

Dig?

Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings.......2004-04-14

I agree with most of the reviewers. I have seen the BLASTERS in Belgium as the opening acts of ZZ TOP and The KINKS in 1983. The BLASTERS out performed these "polished acts". I was completly impress with the roots blues sound. I found an LP with " One red rose" in a little city of Mons, Belgium. I have played that LP until it is almost non-playable. I want to thank who ever put these tracks on CD. None of the live sound was lost in the translation into CD. If you buy only one CD this year buy Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings by the Blaster. Quick side note. Catch the Blaster in the movie: "Streets of Fire".

Average customer rating:

The classical heritage

Music of Spain

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Barcarolles | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rachmaninov: His Complete Recordings
Bach: The Landowska Recordings
The Verdi Recordings
Bach: Lute Suites, Trio Sonatas
Grieg: Complete Solo Piano Music

ASIN: B0009U55QA
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Customer Reviews:

The classical heritage .......2006-04-16

The visible embellishment of this noble instrument was enriched still more by the Spanish composers, who following the traces of his contemporaries. In the case of Fernando Sor, Haydn was his musical guide, where as Aguado, could establish himself with major vehemence, due its particular style, based in the notable right-hand articulation, eschewed the classical patterns, being able to print his own music a flamboyant and refined character.

In the particular case of Fernando Sor, we have a wisdom blending of the counterpoint technique, an evocative mood from his own that, added the well known influence of the Italian composers (Domenico Cimarrosa and Giovanni Batista Pergolesi) and his beloved love for the Operatic genre, allowed him to enrich still more the lyrical possibilities of the guitar. Besides, unlike Nicolo Paganini, for instance fortunately did not transform the guitar in a simple device to show his overwhelming gifts. He used the guitar to play music, on the opposite approach of Paganini who used the music as mere device to play his instrument.

In the guitar genre there has not been most deserved and superb tribute to Mozart that this Variations Op. 9 based on a motive of The most famous Mozart ?s Magic Flute. Loaded of such imaginative freshness and enraptured inspiration you may notice that one of the Variations conserves an undeniable Italian flavor; this is one of the most beloved hidden treasures the guitar can offers us, which raise with special charm in the hands of this formidable soloist.

Aguado on the contrary acquired due his personal state of things, a notable adroitness who excelled by far, to Sor, so his musical approaches rode in opposite directions, trying to exploit at maximum levels the technical possibilities of the instrument.

Julian Bream makes a colossal tribute to both composers in this egregious and golden album.

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