http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1707&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rssAs is often the case with Metal bands, Testament's best selling album was its worst. 1992's <I>The Ritual</I> can still offer some relief to listeners suffering the wasting effects of Metallica's post-<I>Metallica</I> output, but any fan will tell you the band's first three albums -- recorded in '80s -- simply destroy this sorry piece of studio milquetoast. The odd thing is, in live performances they remained a rippingly good unit of shredders, doling out big, bold, bloody chops like butchers on a bender. Lead guitarist Alex Skolnick was one of an elite few capable of holding his own against Metallica's Kirk Hammett and Slayer's Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman. <I>The Ritual</I> made it apparent, however, that Skolnick valued virtuosity over ferocity, so they replaced him and never looked back. After adding Death Metal legend James Murphy, Testament started making the heaviest records of their career. <I>Demonic</I> and <I>The Gathering</I> are no mere crust-after-pie recordings; they're absolutely ferocious. More than a decade in, Testament will never warm another bench for Metallica, now that they've again taken the field with straight-up sluggers like Slayer and Sepultura. - Chad DriscollThrash/Speed Metalen720Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:58:15 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1707&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss As is often the case with Metal bands, Testament's best selling album was its worst. 1992's <I>The Ritual</I> can still offer some relief to listeners suffering the wasting effects of Metallica's post-<I>Metallica</I> output, but any fan will tell you the band's first three albums -- recorded in '80s -- simply destroy this sorry piece of studio milquetoast. The odd thing is, in live performances they remained a rippingly good unit of shredders, doling out big, bold, bloody chops like butchers on a bender. Lead guitarist Alex Skolnick was one of an elite few capable of holding his own against Metallica's Kirk Hammett and Slayer's Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman. <I>The Ritual</I> made it apparent, however, that Skolnick valued virtuosity over ferocity, so they replaced him and never looked back. After adding Death Metal legend James Murphy, Testament started making the heaviest records of their career. <I>Demonic</I> and <I>The Gathering</I> are no mere crust-after-pie recordings; they're absolutely ferocious. More than a decade in, Testament will never warm another bench for Metallica, now that they've again taken the field with straight-up sluggers like Slayer and Sepultura. - Chad Driscoll http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20212105&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 20212105 tra.20212105 Testament art.1707 0.99 The Formation Of Damnation alb.20204860 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/8/8/8/8/1218888_170x170.jpg 2008-04-29 00:00:00.0 2008-04-29 00:00:00.0 true More Than Meets The Eye tra.20212105 273000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20212105&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20212105&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1507764&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 8 Aug 1989 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 1507764 tra.1507764 Testament art.1707 0.99 Practice What You Preach alb.133232 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/7/5/7/1537572_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1989-08-08 00:00:00.0 true Practice What You Preach tra.1507764 297000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1507764&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1507764&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1877790&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Mon, 1 Jan 1990 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 1877790 tra.1877790 Testament art.1707 0.99 Souls Of Black alb.219486 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/5/7/1537571_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1990-01-01 00:00:00.0 true Souls Of Black tra.1877790 202000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1877790&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1877790&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2260246&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 5 May 1992 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 2260246 tra.2260246 Testament art.1707 0.99 The Ritual alb.102380 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/8/0/0/1560082_170x170.jpg 2008-05-27 00:00:00.0 1992-05-05 00:00:00.0 true Return To Serenity tra.2260246 390000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2260246&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2260246&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20212104&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 20212104 tra.20212104 Testament art.1707 0.99 The Formation Of Damnation alb.20204860 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/8/8/8/8/1218888_170x170.jpg 2008-04-29 00:00:00.0 2008-04-29 00:00:00.0 true For The Glory Of... tra.20212104 72000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20212104&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20212104&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2516694&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 10 May 1988 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 2516694 tra.2516694 Testament art.1707 0.99 The New Order alb.234676 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/7/5/7/1537573_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1988-05-10 00:00:00.0 true Eerie Inhabitants tra.2516694 305000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2516694&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2516694&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.584613&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 5 May 1992 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 584613 tra.584613 Testament art.1707 0.99 The Ritual alb.102380 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/8/0/0/1560082_170x170.jpg 2008-05-27 00:00:00.0 1992-05-05 00:00:00.0 true Electric Crown tra.584613 330000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.584613&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.584613&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20212110&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 20212110 tra.20212110 Testament art.1707 0.99 The Formation Of Damnation alb.20204860 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/8/8/8/8/1218888_170x170.jpg 2008-04-29 00:00:00.0 2008-04-29 00:00:00.0 true Henchmen Ride tra.20212110 240000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20212110&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20212110&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2516695&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 10 May 1988 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 2516695 tra.2516695 Testament art.1707 0.99 The New Order alb.234676 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/7/5/7/1537573_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1988-05-10 00:00:00.0 true The New Order tra.2516695 266000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2516695&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2516695&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2516699&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 11 Oct 1994 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 2516699 tra.2516699 Testament art.1707 0.99 Low alb.300984 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/0/7/5/7/1537570_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1994-10-11 00:00:00.0 true Low tra.2516699 213000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2516699&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2516699&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376548&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Thu, 1 Jan 1987 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 1376548 tra.1376548 Testament art.1707 0.99 The Legacy alb.225530 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/7/5/7/1537574_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1987-01-01 00:00:00.0 true The Haunting tra.1376548 257000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376548&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376548&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.18937217&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 18937217 tra.18937217 Testament art.1707 0.99 First Strike Still Deadly alb.18933096 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/7/4/9/1769472_170x170.jpg 2009-03-18 00:00:00.0 2008-03-18 00:00:00.0 true Alone In The Dark tra.18937217 279000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.18937217&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.18937217&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.17746487&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 8 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 17746487 tra.17746487 Testament art.1707 0.99 The Gathering alb.17739080 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/9/1809371_170x170.jpg 2000-10-10 00:00:00.0 2008-01-08 00:00:00.0 true D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate) tra.17746487 212000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.17746487&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.17746487&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.554663&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 10 May 1988 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 554663 tra.554663 Testament art.1707 0.99 The New Order alb.234676 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/7/5/7/1537573_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1988-05-10 00:00:00.0 true Trial By Fire tra.554663 255000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.554663&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.554663&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1507771&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 8 Aug 1989 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 1507771 tra.1507771 Testament art.1707 0.99 Practice What You Preach alb.133232 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/7/5/7/1537572_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1989-08-08 00:00:00.0 true The Ballad tra.1507771 368000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1507771&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1507771&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.17746488&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 8 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 17746488 tra.17746488 Testament art.1707 0.99 The Gathering alb.17739080 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/9/1809371_170x170.jpg 2000-10-10 00:00:00.0 2008-01-08 00:00:00.0 true Down For Life tra.17746488 203000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.17746488&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.17746488&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1877795&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Mon, 1 Jan 1990 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 1877795 tra.1877795 Testament art.1707 0.99 Souls Of Black alb.219486 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/5/7/1537571_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1990-01-01 00:00:00.0 true The Legacy tra.1877795 330000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1877795&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1877795&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376538&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 10 May 1988 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 1376538 tra.1376538 Testament art.1707 0.99 The New Order alb.234676 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/7/5/7/1537573_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1988-05-10 00:00:00.0 true Nobody's Fault tra.1376538 235000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376538&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376538&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.18937210&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 18937210 tra.18937210 Testament art.1707 0.99 First Strike Still Deadly alb.18933096 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/7/4/9/1769472_170x170.jpg 2009-03-18 00:00:00.0 2008-03-18 00:00:00.0 true Trial By Fire tra.18937210 272000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.18937210&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.18937210&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376547&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Thu, 1 Jan 1987 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 1376547 tra.1376547 Testament art.1707 0.99 The Legacy alb.225530 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/7/5/7/1537574_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1987-01-01 00:00:00.0 true Over The Wall tra.1376547 246000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376547&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376547&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1507765&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 8 Aug 1989 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 1507765 tra.1507765 Testament art.1707 0.99 Practice What You Preach alb.133232 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/7/5/7/1537572_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1989-08-08 00:00:00.0 true Perilous Nation tra.1507765 351000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1507765&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1507765&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376537&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 10 May 1988 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 1376537 tra.1376537 Testament art.1707 0.99 The New Order alb.234676 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/7/5/7/1537573_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1988-05-10 00:00:00.0 true Disciples Of The Watch tra.1376537 307000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376537&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376537&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.18937208&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 18937208 tra.18937208 Testament art.1707 0.99 First Strike Still Deadly alb.18933096 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/7/4/9/1769472_170x170.jpg 2009-03-18 00:00:00.0 2008-03-18 00:00:00.0 true First Strike Is Deadly tra.18937208 240000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.18937208&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.18937208&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376518&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Tue, 5 May 1992 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 1376518 tra.1376518 Testament art.1707 0.99 The Ritual alb.102380 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/8/0/0/1560082_170x170.jpg 2008-05-27 00:00:00.0 1992-05-05 00:00:00.0 true So Many Lies tra.1376518 366000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376518&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376518&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376551&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss Thrash/Speed Metal Thu, 1 Jan 1987 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Testament on Rhapsody Online 1376551 tra.1376551 Testament art.1707 0.99 The Legacy alb.225530 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/7/5/7/1537574_170x170.jpg 2008-12-23 00:00:00.0 1987-01-01 00:00:00.0 true First Strike Is Deadly tra.1376551 223000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376551&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1376551&variant=data&rws=%2Ftestament%2Ftop-tracks.rss