The Gathering (Testament album)

Last updated

The Gathering
Testament (band) - The Gathering (album).jpg
Studio album by
Testament
ReleasedJune 8, 1999
Recorded1998–1999
StudioDriftwood Studio, Oakland, California
Genre
Length42:40
Label Burnt Offerings Inc.
Spitfire (1999)
Prosthetic (2008)
Producer Eric Peterson, Chuck Billy, Phil Arnold (2008)
Testament chronology
Signs of Chaos
(1997)		The Gathering
(1999)		 The Very Best of Testament
(2001)
Alternative covers

The Gathering is the eighth studio album by American thrash metal band Testament, released on June 8, 1999. [1] It was the first release the band had done with Spitfire Records. [2] 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 Lombardo, who had left the band not long after the release of The Gathering.

Contents

The Gathering continued Testament's transition into death metal which began on their previous album Demonic , but it also brought back their thrash-oriented sound. As a result, this album has been seen as a return-to-form for the band.

Overview

The Gathering featured eleven tracks when it was released, drawing critic and fan acclaim for such songs as "D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)", "Riding the Snake", and "Legions of the Dead". [3] After release Testament embarked on the Riding the Snake World Tour to promote the album with "touring" lead guitarist Steve Smyth (ex-Vicious Rumors) and Sadus drummer Jon Allen. The tour ended in 2001 shortly before frontman Chuck Billy was diagnosed with cancer. [4] As a result, Testament would not release another studio album until 2008 with The Formation of Damnation , although they did release an album of re-recorded material, First Strike Still Deadly , in 2001.

The Gathering is the first of five albums to date featuring engineering and mixing work done with artist and former Sabbat guitarist Andy Sneap. It is also the first of five reissues that Testament has done with Prosthetic Records. [5] The album was reissued January 8, 2008, with an instrumental bonus track, "Hammer of the Gods," increasing the new track total to twelve. While "Hammer of the Gods" is listed on the track listing of the original American release, it does not actually appear on the CD. However, it does appear on the worldwide Prosthetic Records 2008 reissue.

Album cover artwork for The Gathering was done by Dave McKean who also did the cover art for the two prior Testament studio albums Demonic and Low .

At the time of release, Testament had not done a music video since 1994's Low and was looking at possibly using live footage as a music video to promote The Gathering. Demonic, the band's previous 1997 release, had been handled by a distribution company that went bankrupt to the tune of $44 million which had stranded most retail supply in locked warehouses and off the shelves, seriously hurting the album release. [6]

Musical style

In a 2010 interview, vocalist Chuck Billy described how the free flow of ideas between Dave Lombardo and Eric Peterson was the "key and secret" to the album's overall heavier sound in comparison to previous albums. [7]

Billy's aggressive vocal approaches and darker death metal sound were apparent on the previous album, Demonic, and continued to be on The Gathering, but it was the range and diversity that he achieved on this album that drew the highest acclaim. [8]

While the album's songs range from heavier death metal to a more melodic thrash metal, it was Billy's ability to go from his distinct sound to a death metal growl while blending the two that has been noted as a trademark of Testament.[ citation needed ]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [3]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal 8/10 [9]
Metal Hammer 8/10 [10]
Rock Hard 9/10 [11]

The Gathering reached #48 on the German album charts, its only chart showing, possibly reflecting problems from the prior albums and a lack of coverage rather than weaknesses with the album.

In 2021, it was named one of the 20 best metal albums of 1999 by Metal Hammer magazine. [12]

Track listing

"Hammer of the Gods" did not appear on the domestic American re-release, though the song title was listed on the album cover. It is an instrumental bonus track originally only available on the Japan reissue; however, it was eventually added to the Prosthetic Records worldwide 2008 re-release. [13]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)" Chuck Billy, Eric Peterson 3:34
2."Down for Life"Billy, Peterson3:23
3."Eyes of Wrath"Billy, Del James, Peterson5:26
4."True Believer"Peterson, Derrick Ramirez3:36
5."3 Days in Darkness"Billy, James, Peterson4:41
6."Legions of the Dead"Peterson2:37
7."Careful What You Wish For"Billy, James, Dave Lombardo, Peterson3:30
8."Riding the Snake"Billy, Peterson4:13
9."Allegiance"Billy, Lombardo, Peterson2:37
10."Sewn Shut Eyes"Billy, James, Peterson4:15
11."Fall of Sipledome"Billy, Peterson4:48
Total length:42:40
Japanese reissue and worldwide Prosthetic Records reissue
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Hammer of the Gods" (Instrumental)Peterson3:11
Total length:45:51

Personnel

Testament

Production

Charts

Chart (1999)Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [14] 48

Related Research Articles

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

Slayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style made them one of the "big four" bands of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Slayer's current lineup consists of King, Araya, drummer Paul Bostaph and guitarist Gary Holt, who initially joined as a touring member in 2011 before joining the band permanently after Hanneman's death in 2013. Drummer Jon Dette was also a member of the band.

<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. The band has released thirteen studio albums, four live albums, five compilation albums, thirteen singles and three DVDs. They are estimated to have sold over 1.4 million albums in the United States since the beginning of the SoundScan era and over 14 million copies worldwide as of 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Bostaph</span> American drummer

Paul Steven Bostaph is an American drummer best known as a member of the thrash metal band Slayer, initially from 1992 to 2001, again from 2013 to 2019, and in 2024, after the reunion. His drumming career began in 1984 when he was 20 years old. In addition to Slayer, he has worked with bands such as Forbidden, Exodus, Systematic, Testament, and BlackGates. Metal-Rules.com describes Bostaph as "a true professional and one of the best drummers on today's metal music scene".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gene Hoglan</span> American drummer

Eugene Victor Hoglan II is an American drummer, acclaimed for his creativity in drum arrangements, including use of abstract devices for percussion effects and his trademark lengthy double-kick drum rhythms. Though his playing style is very technically demanding, he retains high accuracy at extreme tempos, earning him the nicknames "The Atomic Clock" and "Human Drum Machine".

<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>Live at Eindhoven</i> Live album by Testament

Live at Eindhoven is a live EP by American thrash metal band Testament. It was released in 1987 via Megaforce Records for Europe in 1987 and the US in 1990. It was recorded at the Dynamo Open Air Festival in Eindhoven, Netherlands on June 8, 1987.

<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 by Atlantic Records. 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, and the last album with bassist Greg Christian until 2008's The Formation of Damnation.

<i>Live at the Fillmore</i> (Testament album) 1995 live album by Testament

Live at the Fillmore is a live album by the American thrash metal band Testament. It was released in 1995 on Spitfire Records. The first fourteen tracks are live recordings and the last three are semi-acoustic versions of previously-released songs. As of December 1999, Live at the Fillmore sold over 32,500 copies in the U.S.

<i>Demonic</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Testament

Demonic is the seventh studio album by American thrash metal band Testament. Released in 1997 with original members Chuck Billy (vocals) and Eric Peterson (guitar), the record also features artists Derrick Ramirez (bass), Gene Hoglan (drums) and Glen Alvelais (guitar). Ramirez was previously the band's first guitarist, and Alvelais had previously performed with Testament on the 1993 live album, Return to the Apocalyptic City. Demonic was also Testament's only album with Hoglan for 15 years, until he rejoined and performed on the album Dark Roots of Earth (2012).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Peterson (guitarist)</span> American musician (born 1964)

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

<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.

<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>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>Dark Roots of Thrash</i> 2013 live album by Testament

Dark Roots of Thrash is a double-disc live album and DVD by American thrash metal band Testament, released on October 15, 2013 through Nuclear Blast. The performance was recorded at The Paramount Theatre in Huntington, New York on February 15, 2013. It was released on October 22, 2013 in Europe and on October 29, 2013 in the United States.

<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.

<i>Titans of Creation</i> 2020 studio album by Testament

Titans of Creation is the thirteenth studio album by American thrash metal band Testament, released on April 3, 2020. This album marked the first time since The Ritual (1992) that the band had recorded more than one album with the same lineup, though it would turn out to be their last to feature drummer Gene Hoglan, who left Testament for the second time in January 2022. Titans of Creation is also the band's first album to be co-produced by Juan Urteaga, who previously worked with Testament's two studio albums Dark Roots of Earth (2012) and Brotherhood of the Snake (2016).

References

  1. ↑ June '99 Reviews at metal-rules.com Accessed January 30, 2021
  2. ↑ "Spitfire Albums (1) The Gathering (1999), (2) First Strike Still Deadly (2001), (3) Days of Darkness (2004), (4) Live in London (2005), (5) The Spitfire Collection (2007), (DVD) Live in London (2005)". August 2012.
  3. 1 2 "The Gathering - Testament". AllMusic . Retrieved June 24, 2005.
  4. ↑ "About Testament". Nuclear Blast.
  5. ↑ "Reissues with Prosthetic (1) The Gathering (2008), (2) Demonic (2008), (3) First Strike Still Deadly (2008), (4) Live at Eindhoven '87 (2009), (5) Live at the Fillmore (2011)". August 2012.
  6. ↑ G., Evil (1999). "Interview with Eric Peterson". Metal Rules.
  7. ↑ DF, Anzo (May 12, 2010). "Interview with Chuck Billy". MetalSucks.
  8. ↑ Bowar, Chad (January 8, 2008). "Testament The Gathering". About.com.
  9. ↑ Popoff, Martin (2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 445. ISBN   978-1-894959-62-9.
  10. ↑ Ling, Dave (August 1999). "Under the Hammer". Metal Hammer . No. 65. UK: Future plc. p. 77.
  11. ↑ Albrecht, Frank. "Testament - The Gathering". Rock Hard (in German). Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  12. ↑ "The Top 20 best metal albums of 1999". Metal Hammer . Future plc. January 21, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  13. ↑ Archive, News (November 6, 2007). "Prosthetic Records To Reissue Two Testament Albums". Blabbermouth.net.{{cite news}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  14. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Testament – The Gathering" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.