Eric Peterson (guitarist)

Last updated

Eric Peterson
TESTAMENT-@-Luppolo-In-Rock-2022-Cremona-17-07-2022-05 (52555338158) (cropped).jpg
Peterson performing in 2022
Background information
Birth nameEric Stanley Peterson
Born (1964-05-14) May 14, 1964 (age 61)
Origin Berkeley, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active1983–present
Member of

Eric Stanley Peterson (born May 14, 1964) is an American musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist of the thrash metal band Testament and the only remaining original member left in the band, which first started in 1983 under the name Legacy. [1] He and lead vocalist Chuck Billy are the only members to appear on all of the band's studio albums. [2]

Contents

Peterson also has a side project black metal band called Dragonlord, in which he plays guitar and also sings. [3] [4] In Testament, Peterson was originally a rhythm guitarist while Alex Skolnick handled all lead work. More recently though, Peterson plays leads along with Skolnick. [1]

Musical influences

Peterson has cited Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Kiss, Judas Priest, Boston, Scorpions, UFO, Montrose, Pat Travers and Mahogany Rush (with Frank Marino) as influences and inspirations to him. [5] When forming the sound of Legacy/Testament, he had been influenced by the band's Bay Area peers Metallica and Exodus, in addition to NWOBHM bands such as Judas Priest, Venom, Saxon and Angel Witch, and European heavy metal bands like Mercyful Fate. [5]

Discography

Peterson with Testament in 2012 Testament, Skogsrojet 2012 3.jpg
Peterson with Testament in 2012

With Legacy

With Testament

With Dragonlord

With Leah

Guest appearances

References

  1. 1 2 Barrios, Joel (June 10, 2025). "Eric Peterson Talks His Early Days In The Thrash Metal Scene, Explains Why He Was Never A Shredder". Metal Injection . Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Interview: Testament's Eric Peterson". spotlightreport.net. October 14, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Testament guitarist Eric Peterson on Dragonlord project". metalinsider.net. August 30, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Testament/Dragonlord's Eric Peterson - my top 5 tips for guitarists: "I think of my right hand as the drum within my playing; it's in charge of the beat"". musicradar.com/. September 21, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Testament Family Tree — The Metal". givememetal.com. April 8, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
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