Testament in Melbourne 6th August

[Tomo009]

So I went and saw Testament a couple nights ago, it was an experience for sure.

First up was 4arm. Played well, have some awesome songs. The crowd was pretty weak at that point and the bass was a little overpowering but the mix wasn't terrible. I was still in the 2nd row at this time so I don't know what was going on behind me but there wasn't a lot happening unfortunately, the band definitely deserved a lot more.

Then Dreadnought.... not my type of band, the vocalist was beyond ridiculous in his actions but I wouldn't say they played badly at all. It started to become apparent at this point however that it wasn't going to be a sedate night. Some guy grabbed me by the shoulder and tried to pull me into a "pit" that was just a bunch of guys punching each other. The crowd was packing in and I thought the venue must be full.....

I was wrong.

When Testament was about to start the place was absolutely full, I'm talking 5-6 people per square meter, couldn't move any part of my body at all. The venue had clearly overbooked a lot. When Testament came out it started to get VIOLENT, more than a normal mosh, people were fighting, dragging people who didn't want it in etc. I was dragged away from my friend I was there with about half way through the first song, which was More Than Meets the Eye. I'm not sure what happened for a little while after that as I was defending myself, but i think they played Dog Faced Gods and something else at that point. I eventually found a reasonably stable position in front of Alex Skolnick half way through New Order.

They did play the 4 songs I really wanted, New Order, D.N.R, Practice what you Preach and The Persecuted Won't Forget, the band were pretty amazing, a little quiet when drowned out by the crowd but each of them were identifiable at least.

At some point some guy grabbed my jaw and punched my on the cheek, I have no idea why, but that definitely wasn't the only similar incident that night. I think everyone get beat around pretty bad that night. My friend had a slight gash on his face and had his wallet stolen as well.... A lot of people made it to the stage. The security did their best but they were already understaffed for just catching the many crowd surfers as there would be at least 5 at any one point.

Could have been an epic night probably if it wasn't so crowded, was enjoyable but definitely not as great as it could have been. No real pits formed for most of it, people just trying to force themselves forward and attacking anyone in their way. Some guy also almost burnt me with his cigarette repeatedly, but he ended up passing out anyway so I didn't bother with him.

Anyway thats pretty much it for my half awesome gig report, half rant.

[Arterial]

wow, ive been to a few metal gigs, but that gig sounds extra violent.

to be honest if someone started having a go at me...

if you had fun, then its all good

[Bloody_Inferno]

Our mix was bassy? I guess we really didn't have proper time to do a full check but despite the conditions, Marita (sound girl) did a good job. It's always hard being the first opening act especially at a gig like this. And glad you liked our music.



I pretty much spent 1/2 of the set behind the mixing desk with the guys from Dreadnaught and air guitaring with Andrew Haug. You should have seen us on Into The Pit.

At some point some guy grabbed my jaw and punched my on the cheek, I have no idea why, but that definitely wasn't the only similar incident that night. I think everyone get beat around pretty bad that night. My friend had a slight gash on his face and had his wallet stolen as well.... A lot of people made it to the stage. The security did their best but they were already understaffed for just catching the many crowd surfers as there would be at least 5 at any one point.

Damn, that sucks dude. Hope you're ok and your friend found his wallet or at least made a claim. I saw the dude that got onstage and went all over Chuck. The security guys dragged him backstage and threw him out in the street apparently. Then again, I saw Cannibal Corpse in the same venue a year ago and while I wasn't in the pit, there were similar happenings.

[Tomo009]

Originally Posted by Bloody_Inferno

Our mix was bassy? I guess we really didn't have proper time to do a full check but despite the conditions, Marita (sound girl) did a good job. It's always hard being the first opening act especially at a gig like this. And glad you liked our music.



I pretty much spent 1/2 of the set behind the mixing desk with the guys from Dreadnaught and air guitaring with Andrew Haug. You should have seen us on Into The Pit.



Damn, that sucks dude. Hope you're ok and your friend found his wallet or at least made a claim. I saw the dude that got onstage and went all over Chuck. The security guys dragged him backstage and threw him out in the street apparently. Then again, I saw Cannibal Corpse in the same venue a year ago and while I wasn't in the pit, there were similar happenings.

Haha, I'm fine the guy wasn't exactly at his strongest. My friend talked to the security I doubt he'll get anything back.

Your mix wasn't bad, everything was definitely audible just the bass was kind of taking over.

I'm guess they threw out the others as well, that guy didn't look like he was going to cause much harm, hope the guy that ran straight through Christian got thrown out though.

[Bloody_Inferno]

According to Metal Obsession, here's the setlist:

For The Glory Of…
More Than Meets The Eye
Dog Faced Gods
The New Order
Sins of Omission
Electric Crown
Riding The Snake
Legions of the Dead
The Persecuted Won’t Forget
The Legacy
Trial By Fire
Practice What You Preach
Into The Pit
D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)
3 Days In Darkness
The Formation of Damnation

[Bloody_Inferno]

Lots of pics from Atomic at fasterlouder.com.au. His work is fantastic to say the least. There's a fair bit so I just posted my favorites. The rest can be found here.

First off, my band 4arm










































Then came the next event, Dreadnaught.






















































Lastly, the main event. The mighty Testament!











































Oddly enough... not enough of Skolnick's stage of the side. But that's ok.

[Tomo009]

Wow, didn't seem that foggy from in the pit, awesome pics btw. I honestly can't remember them playing Sins of Omission, I was probably strugglign at that point. I love that song can't believe I dont't remember it being there. Everything else seems right though, but For the Glory of.... was just played as their intro, they didnt actually play it themselves.

[Bloody_Inferno]

Originally Posted by Tomo009

For the Glory of.... was just played as their intro, they didnt actually play it themselves.

Yeah, they were blaring it during their soundcheck to test the PA. What's even cooler was when Eric Peterson was soundchecking to the clean riff of "When The Smoke Is Going Down" by Scorpions. As for Alex, his playing really did intimidate me...

[Arterial]

talk about shameless self-promotion b-inferno :P
nice pictures though.

[Bloody_Inferno]

Considering that it's not often one can say, "I shared the stage with Testament", I say why not?

[Arterial]

Originally Posted by Bloody_Inferno

Considering that it's not often one can say, "I shared the stage with Testament", I say why not?

yeah definitely, thats a huge milestone no doubt.