Dark Roots of Earth

Personnel: Chuck Billy (vocals); Eric Peterson (guitar, background vocals); Alex Skolnick (guitar); Gene Hoglan (drums).Audio Mixers: Andy Sneap; Testament.Recording information: Backstage Studios, Derby, UK (2011-2012); Driftwood Studios, Oakland, CA (2011-2012); Trident STudios, Martinez, CA (2011-2012).Forget Metallica, forget Megadeth, Anthrax, and even Slayer! The most formidable on-stage thrash metal powerhouse of 2011 was arguably the (mostly) reconstituted classic lineup of Testament: singer Chuck Billy, guitarists Alex Skolnick, and Eric Peterson, plus returning bass badass Greg Christian and occasional drummer Gene Hoglan, who probably tops most predecessors on the stool, most would agree. This fearsome ensemble spent several months tearing up concert halls worldwide, consistently putting the "mosh" back in the "pit," before invading Oakland, California's Driftwood Studios to record their tenth album Dark Roots of Earth, which, though not quite as timeless as Testament's late