San Antonio Set to Rock with Testament
San Antonio is buzzing with excitement as the legendary thrash metal band Testament is set to hit the stage at the Aztec Theatre this Saturday, October 19th. They are not coming alone, as they’ll be joined by fellow metal heads Kreator and Possessed for a night that promises to be filled with electric guitar solos, pounding drums, and some serious headbanging!
We got a chance to chat with Alex Skolnick, Testament’s iconic guitarist, who shared some fascinating insights into the band’s journey and future plans. Speaking via Zoom while on tour in Maplewood, Minnesota, Skolnick reflected on the band’s impressive endurance through the years. “More than four decades after Testament’s formation, things are rolling along smoothly,” he said, clearly excited about the upcoming gig and the band’s future.
A Musical Journey
Skolnick’s passion for music started at a young age. He recalled taking guitar lessons from the legendary Joe Satriani, who, at the time, was more known as “the teacher who taught the teachers.” Skolnick described his lessons as serious and structured, a refreshing break from the laid-back culture of the San Francisco music scene where he grew up. “It was like going to a classical piano lesson. There was focus, there was discipline,” he said.
As for the essence of what makes Testament so enduring, Skolnick highlighted the band’s foundation built on catchy shouts from vocalist Chuck Billy and his own unique guitar work. “Despite all the lineup changes over the years, those key elements have remained constant,” he noted.
Reflecting on the Classics
When asked which Testament album he would choose to survive in a post-apocalyptic bunker, Skolnick said, “I would probably say the second one, The New Order. Most of those songs have a special connection with our fans.” The album has stood the test of time, earning its place in the set list at concerts. As testament to its impact, he said many of the songs continue to resonate with audiences today.
Skolnick also spoke about Practice What You Preach, another beloved album, which found success partly due to its strong relationship with MTV during the rise of Headbangers Ball. “By that time, we already had a couple of popular videos. When we sent them ‘Practice What You Preach,’ it was a no-brainer,” he explained.
A New Album on the Horizon
Excitingly, Testament is currently working on a new album scheduled for release next year. Skolnick shared his enthusiasm, saying the sound is shaping up nicely. “The tour is going well, and recording new music adds to that excitement,” he remarked. It’s great to see that even after all these years, Testament is still able to evolve and bring fresh sounds to their loyal fanbase.
The Future of Metal
As for the future of the metal scene, Skolnick reflected on the close-knit community of musicians. He emphasized how it has grown over the years, mentioning that collaborating with other artists and performing various genres is now more accepted than ever. He passionately elaborated, “There’s plenty of bands where one or more musicians plays in another band. Audiences have gotten used to that.”
With the upcoming concert only days away, fans are surely counting the minutes until they can experience Testament live in action. So, if you’re in San Antonio and love metal music, do yourself a favor and grab those tickets before they sell out. Get ready for an unforgettable night filled with energy, passion, and an all-out thrash metal experience!
Tickets are priced between $53 and $111.50, and the show kicks off at 6:50 p.m. Get ready to rock out with Testament and their outstanding supporting acts!
See you there, metalheads!
