First Strike Still Deadly

Last updated

First Strike Still Deadly
Testament - First Strike Still Deadly.jpg
Studio album of re-recorded songs by
ReleasedOctober 24, 2001 [1]
StudioDriftwood Studios, Oakland, California
Genre Thrash metal
Length48:40
Label Spitfire
Testament chronology
The Very Best of Testament
(2001)
First Strike Still Deadly
(2001)
Days of Darkness
(2004)

First Strike Still Deadly is the ninth studio album by Testament, released in 2001. It consists of re-recorded songs released on The Legacy and The New Order , as well as a re-recording of "Reign of Terror", which was originally on Legacy's Demo 1 and appeared as a B-side from the "Trial by Fire" single; the latter version also appeared on the 1993 EP Return to the Apocalyptic City . On some Japanese versions of this release, a different cover is present, and the disc is an enhanced CD and includes a bonus documentary produced by Reality Check TV/RCTV Studio with live clips of various incarnations of the band and interviews with Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson in various settings in and around San Francisco.

Contents

First Strike Still Deadly saw a Testament reunion with three former or current members (guitarist Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve DiGiorgio and drummer John Tempesta) as well as their original singer Steve "Zetro" Souza. Souza, Skolnick and Tempesta did not officially rejoin Testament at the time of its recording, though Skolnick did in 2005 and is still a member of the band to this day. First Strike Still Deadly was also the last Testament album with bassist DiGiorgio before his return in 2014. [2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]

First Strike Still Deadly has received mostly negative reviews. AllMusic writer Brian O'Neill awards the album one star out of five, and criticizes, "Re-recording one's hits is worse than live albums because it tries to be something it never can be, and this disc is no exception. Get the originals, or even the two Testament hits compilations, for the real deal; check this out if karaoke is your idea of contemporary entertainment." [3]

Track listing

No.TitleLyricsMusicOriginal albumLength
1."First Strike Is Deadly" Steve Souza, Greg Christian Alex Skolnick, Eric Peterson The Legacy 4:00
2."Into the Pit" Chuck Billy, Skolnick, PetersonSkolnick, Peterson The New Order 2:54
3."Trial by Fire"Billy, Skolnick, PetersonSkolnick, PetersonThe New Order4:33
4."Disciples of the Watch"BillySkolnick, PetersonThe New Order4:34
5."The Preacher"Billy, SkolnickSkolnick, PetersonThe New Order3:56
6."Burnt Offerings"Souza, PetersonSkolnick, PetersonThe Legacy5:28
7."Over the Wall"SouzaSkolnick, Peterson, ChristianThe Legacy4:18
8."The New Order"Skolnick, PetersonSkolnick, PetersonThe New Order4:43
9."The Haunting"Souza, PetersonSkolnick, PetersonThe Legacy4:37
10."Alone in the Dark"SouzaSkolnick, PetersonThe Legacy4:40
11."Reign of Terror"Souza, Derrick Ramirez, PetersonRamirez, PetersonDemo 15:06
Total length:48:40

Credits

Musicians

Other

Charts

Chart (2001)Peak
position
Japanese Albums (Oricon) [4] 70

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Di Giorgio</span> American bassist (born 1967)

Steve Di Giorgio is an American bass guitarist. He is known for his work with numerous heavy metal bands such as Sadus, Death, Testament, Megadeth, Sebastian Bach, Iced Earth, Autopsy, Obituary, Control Denied, Dragonlord and Charred Walls of the Damned, and he has performed on over 50 albums as a guest, session or full-time band musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Testament (band)</span> American thrash metal band

Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band's current lineup comprises rhythm guitarist Eric Peterson, lead vocalist Chuck Billy, lead guitarist Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve Di Giorgio and drummer Chris Dovas. Testament has experienced many lineup changes over the years, with Peterson being the only remaining original member, though they have since reunited with Skolnick, who had been out of the band from 1992 to 2005. Billy has been a member of Testament since 1986, when he replaced original singer Steve "Zetro" Souza, who had left to replace Paul Baloff in Exodus. He and Peterson are the only members to appear on all of Testament's studio albums, with the latter being the only constant member overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exodus (band)</span> American thrash metal band

Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Their current lineup consists of guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus, bassist Jack Gibson, drummer Tom Hunting, and lead vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza. There are no original members left in Exodus other than Hunting, who has departed from the band twice, in 1989 and 2004, but rejoined in 2007. Exodus is also notable for including a then-unknown Kirk Hammett, who was the band's lead guitarist from its inception to his departure in 1983, when he left to join Metallica as Dave Mustaine's replacement. Holt has been most consistent member throughout various lineup changes and break-ups, and is the only member to appear on all of Exodus' recordings. Much of the band's career has also been affected by feuds between both band members and record companies, two extended hiatuses, deaths of former band members and drug addictions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Billy</span> American vocalist

Charles Billy is an American singer who is best known as the lead vocalist for thrash metal band Testament.

<i>The New Order</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Testament

The New Order is the second studio album by American thrash metal band Testament, released on May 5, 1988.

<i>The Legacy</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Testament

The Legacy is the debut studio album by American thrash metal band Testament. It was released on April 21, 1987.

<i>The Ritual</i> (Testament album) 1992 studio album by Testament

The Ritual is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Testament, released in 1992 by Atlantic Records. It was their last studio album to feature drummer Louie Clemente and guitarist Alex Skolnick, until the latter rejoined the band in 2005. It was also their first album to be released and distributed only by Atlantic, whereas Testament's previous four albums were co-released by Megaforce Records.

<i>Low</i> (Testament album) 1994 studio album by Testament

Low is the sixth studio album by American thrash metal band Testament, released on September 30, 1994. It was the band's first album to feature a new lineup, with guitarist James Murphy and drummer John Tempesta replacing Alex Skolnick and Louie Clemente respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Souza</span> American metal vocalist

Steve "Zetro" Souza is an American musician, best known for his work as lead vocalist with thrash metal band Exodus from 1986 to 1994, and again from 2002 to 2004. He rejoined Exodus for a third time in 2014. Souza is one of two singers, along with Chuck Billy, for the band Dublin Death Patrol. He also sings for the thrash metal band Tenet and was the lead singer for the thrash metal band Legacy. In 2011, Souza announced his new project, Hatriot. He stepped down as the frontman of the band in 2015, leaving the role of lead vocals to his son, Cody.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Christian</span> American bassist

Gregory Christian is an American musician who is the former bassist for thrash metal band Testament. He left the band in 1996, but rejoined in 2004 and left again in 2014. In addition to Testament, Christian has also played in HavocHate and Trinity Fallen, and later served as the bassist for Trauma. He is known for his finger playing style and jazz-like bass parts, which can be heard on Testament songs such as "Souls of Black" and "Disciples of the Watch", although he has also occasionally been seen using a guitar pick. Christian also performed backing vocals in Testament.

<i>Live in London</i> (Testament album) 2005 live album by Testament

Live in London is a live album by American thrash metal band Testament, released on CD and DVD on November 1, 2005. It features the original Testament line up of Chuck Billy, Greg Christian, Louie Clemente, Eric Peterson, and Alex Skolnick, although John Tempesta played drums from the beginning of the show up to "Trial by Fire"; he was then replaced by original drummer Clemente for the remainder of the show. This was the third show of the 10 Days in May Tour. Backstage footage is included from the Innsbruck, Austria date on May 12, 2005, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thrash of the Titans</span> 2001 benefit concert

Thrash of the Titans was a benefit concert held on August 11, 2001, at the Maritime Hall in San Francisco, California. The concert was a co-benefit for Testament vocalist Chuck Billy, who was diagnosed with germ cell seminoma ; and Chuck Schuldiner, leader of the death metal band Death, who was also battling cancer. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was S.O.D. vocalist Billy Milano. The concert was organized by Walter Morgan. The show was announced in May 2001, and all 2300 tickets quickly sold out.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dublin Death Patrol</span> American thrash metal band

Dublin Death Patrol (DDP) is an American thrash metal band formed in 2006 by Testament singer Chuck Billy and Exodus singer Steve Souza.

<i>The Spitfire Collection</i> 2007 compilation album by Testament

The Spitfire Collection is a compilation album released in 2007 by Spitfire Records. The release consists of tracks from the Spitfire-era Testament titles Live at the Fillmore, Demonic, The Gathering, First Strike Still Deadly, and Live in London.

<i>The Formation of Damnation</i> 2008 studio album by Testament

The Formation of Damnation is the tenth studio album by American thrash metal band Testament, released on April 29, 2008. It was Testament's first album since 2001's First Strike Still Deadly and their first of new material since 1999's The Gathering. It was also Testament's first release with original guitarist Alex Skolnick since 1992's The Ritual and bassist Greg Christian since 1994's Low, as well as the band's only studio album recorded with drummer Paul Bostaph, who joined Testament in 1993 but became a full-time member in 2007 before leaving the band four years later.

<i>The Gathering</i> (Testament album) 1999 studio album by Testament

The Gathering is the eighth studio album by American thrash metal band Testament, released on June 8, 1999. It was the first release the band had done with Spitfire Records. Co-produced by band members, Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson, this was the first album featuring new musicians Steve DiGiorgio on bass guitar and Dave Lombardo on drums. Billy, Peterson and Lombardo, along with longtime Testament collaborator Del James, are also given composer credits on the album. It would also be the only Testament album for 23 years to feature Lombardo, who left the band right before the tour for The Gathering started and he would rejoin in 2022.

<i>Dark Roots of Earth</i> 2012 studio album by Testament

Dark Roots of Earth is the eleventh studio album by American thrash metal band Testament. It was released on July 27, 2012, in Europe, and four days later in North America by independent German record label Nuclear Blast Records. The album is available in three configurations, CD, CD/DVD and vinyl, with the latter two versions including four bonus tracks. The album was produced by Andy Sneap, who mixed and engineered the band's previous three studio releases, The Gathering (1999), First Strike Still Deadly (2001), and The Formation of Damnation (2008). The album artwork was created by Eliran Kantor. A music video was made for the track "Native Blood". Dark Roots of Earth entered the Billboard 200 at number 12, Testament's highest position ever.

<i>Brotherhood of the Snake</i> 2016 studio album by Testament

Brotherhood of the Snake is the twelfth studio album by American thrash metal band Testament, released on October 28, 2016. It is the band's first studio recording with bassist Steve Di Giorgio since First Strike Still Deadly (2001). Brotherhood of the Snake also marks Testament's fifth collaboration with Andy Sneap, who had mixed and engineered all of their albums since The Gathering (1999) and produced Dark Roots of Earth (2012). The album debuted at number twenty on the Billboard 200 chart, making it Testament's second-highest-charting album in the US, behind Dark Roots of Earth, which peaked at number twelve four years earlier.

Metal Allegiance is an American heavy metal supergroup formed on Long Island, New York, in 2014 by bassist and songwriter Mark Menghi. Shortly after, he recruited bassist David Ellefson, guitarist Alex Skolnick, and drummer Mike Portnoy. Though the group does not have an official lead singer, they usually hire guest musicians to contribute vocals and/or guitar parts to their studio recordings and live shows, including Andreas Kisser of Sepultura and Mark Osegueda of Death Angel. To date, Metal Allegiance has released two studio albums and one EP.

References

  1. "Testament - First Strike Still Deadly". Encyclopaedia Metallum . Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  2. "Testament Parts Ways With Bassist Greg Christian, Announces Return Of Steve DiGiorgio". Blabbermouth.net. January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  3. 1 2 O'Neill, Brian. First Strike Still Deadly at AllMusic
  4. Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN   4-87131-077-9.