slateblog

After Testament’s hightest-ranking album since its AOTY representation in 1999, I was excited to see them return with no other than the mighty Overkill. This would be my 10th time seeing each band: a three-and-a-half decade history with metal history, having met, interviewed and seen both bands in every decade since, with the exception of Overkill in the 2010s.

Mat grabbed tickets for the three members of SMJ, but sadly, Doug had to cancel at the last minute. Instead, we picked up his friend Danielle and drove up to Sayreville several hours early. Wheelchair in tow, handicap pass ensuring close parking, we pre-gamed for a bit before approaching the fast-track lane to get inside. However, upon staff noticing the wheelchair being busted out, we were escorted to the side entrance. A somewhat inebriated me opted to race Mat around in said wheelchair, hitting a pothole and dumping him on the pavement. Understandably, I burst out in laughter, as several staff members helped return him to his mobile throne.

We got up the ramp, ready to enter, and proceeded to the area reserved for those with physical needs. It provided a generous vantage point, to the right of the stage, and elevated. While the place isn’t too big, it was utterly packed. By 7:15, when Destruction was playing, the floor was full, and there was simply no way I was going to get closer for the next bands. I grabbed Mat a shirt, purchased a few drinks and returned, making another round trip (or two) as Overkill hit the stage.

Their setlist was almost identical to the last time I saw them, with King Diamond in 2024, with one exception: Deny The Cross. This was a great addition, however, guitars cut out and a good chunk of the song was played with just bass and drums. Blitz was happy to play to the hometown crowd, with some heartfelt comments as the night went on. I should hope to see them play a headlining show again one day. For time #10, I was happy to see them with Mat. The full list is as follows:

1. Scorched
2. Rotten To The Core
3. Bring Me The Night
4. Hello From The Gutter
5. The Surgeon
6. Ironbound
7. Elimination
8. Fuck You!

Again, the place was utterly packed, so after a last round-trip bathroom run, I prepped for the arrival of the mighty Testament. This was the site of the last time I saw the band, a month shy of four years prior, and, unfortunately, the results were rather similar. The setlist was diverse and added some deep cuts, but none of them were good. In fact, the selection was a mind-boggling choice of oddities. Amidst the calamitous list of tracks, Mat proceeded to dump my entire drink on the floor, a strange, inexplicable sequence of events. The whole end of the night was just madness.

It started out great, and the back-to-back-to-back trio of new songs was fantastic. But the other tracks were just so….meh. Chuck was having a great time on stage, as was the whole band. However, I felt like the new drummer wasn’t used or challenged. The drums sounded very clicky, but it all made me wonder who chose songs like John Doe. Having lived through every era of the band, I appreciate the good and the bad, but if I had to choose two from Demonic, John Doe wouldn’t have made the cut.

Sure, I am glad I didn’t have to hear Practice or Souls, but…Sins Of Omission?? It was all just so perplexing. Then – The Ballad? What the fuck? So Many Lies?? What the fuck!?!?! Sure, I like the heavier side of Testament, but you cannot deny the setlist was just so fucking weird. They began and messed up Over The Wall before tossing in The Haunting, but then it seems that similar things happened on other dates.

Ultimately, it was fun seeing them, and while I didn’t love the choices, the band had a great time. One day, we won’t get such opportunities. Unfortunately, this is twice now where I feel that the band was outshone by its opener: first Exodus and now Overkill. Regardless, the Thrash Of The Titans tour was a kick-ass time, and I’m so glad we went.

I drove Danielle home, returned to Mat’s place and crashed the fuck out on the couch, waking up mid-night to lie down. I was shot. What a wild night.

1. Into the Pit
2. The Evil Has Landed
3. Henchmen Ride
4. For The Love Of Pain
5. Infanticide A.I.
6. Shadow People
7. WWIII
8. John Doe
9. Low
10. Native Blood
11. Sins Of Omission
12. So Many Lies
13. The Ballad
14. The Haunting
15. Over The Wall