Blowin’ Wind with Testament’s Eric Peterson: “Aerosmith’s Rocks and KISS Alive & Destroyer is what got me jumping around in front of a mirror with a guitar.”

002For over 25 years, Testament has been a staple and a driving force within the world of Heavy Metal. Originally started after guitarist Eric Peterson saw Metallica tearing it up on a small club stage, Testament grew over the years from the dream of a young guitarist to the metal legends that they are today. Over the years Testament has survived everything from crucial line-up changes to the ever shifting plates of the world of metal yet they managed to always stick to their guns delivering the music that they wanted to deliver regardless of what was popular or trendy.

In 2012 Testament released Dark Roots of Earth which, in my opinion, is the best album Testament has released in years. It was a return to form and had the band playing with full force and a youthful fire and energy that seemed to put the band back on top of it all. I recently had the chance to speak with founding guitarist Eric Peterson and we talked about everything from the upcoming live release “The Dark Roots of Thrash: Live” to what it was that got him wanting to play music in the first place. Eric was admittedly hung over from too much partying the night before so he didn’t seem as engaged as I would’ve hoped he would. With that being said, he was a really nice guy and it was a real pleasure to talk with him. I hope you all dig this one.

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Eric, thanks so much for taking the time out to do this.

Not a problem man. Thanks for having me.

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I wish I could go back in time to my 16 year old self and tell him that I’d be talking to you tonight.

[laughs] That’s awesome Don.

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I also have to congratulate you on Dark Roots of Earth. What a fucking masterpiece. You guys clearly aren’t out of ideas but you have captured this kind of youthful. Where did that come from?

For me, that 2nd wind all started with The Gathering. It’s been so long between records but The Gathering was the fire for me. It was fast stuff mixed with modern sounds. Definitely with Formation of Damnation we came back strong and with the original lineup and Dark Roots of Earth as well I feel was really strong. I think in a way we’ve come full circle with our sound and going back to our roots but not copying it. I also feel like technology has gotten so much better you know? It’s easier to record now and things like ProTools have made things a bit more simpler.

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It seems like the recording process is a lot more streamlined now. You can get a lot more done in a short period of time.

Exactly. That’s it right there.

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Testament seems to have really found a good place to be musically and, as you said earlier, have come full circle. Is this a place where you’re happy and how do you see Testament progressing from here?

Well, we know what we want now. When we were younger, we just kind of went into the studio and let the producer get the sounds and we just played the songs. Of course, we gave our opinions but I don’t think we knew then what we wanted as much as we do now. Now we know exactly what we want. Chuck (Billy; vocalist) knows exactly how he wants to sound and I know how I want to sound. I know what I want the drums to do and everything.

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So I’ve been digging the new live release “Dark Roots of Thrash.” It’s really a great release but tell me how this release stands out from the previous Testament releases?

Oh have you seen the DVD yet?

No, I haven’t seen it yet. I’ve just been listening to the audio tracks.

You really need to see this DVD. To me it goes hand in hand. Of course, the listening part is cool but watching it and listening to it at the same time is really awesome. The previous live release was more of a reunion show. We had two different drummers. John Tempesta played the first half and Louie Clemente played the 2nd half. It was more of our classic songs. This release is where the band is at now which is what I think is our peek. I’m sure it’s going to continue but we’re definitely on a roll. We’re on a level where all the engines are running and we’re playing songs from almost every record. There are things missing from some records but we’ve put together a set that is compiled of almost everything we’ve done from The Legacy to Dark Roots of Earth.

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I really enjoyed the fact that there is a significant amount of newer material being played. A lot of bands do tend to become a nostalgia act and I feel like this shows Testament’s relevance in modern times. You’re making strong material so why not play it?

Thanks. Yeah, most of the bands that I grew up listening to when they were in their 25th year, you’d get a record from them and you’d say, “Ok, so one of these songs is ok” or you’d say, “What the fuck are you doing?” [laughs] It’s frustrating. I’m a fan of music still and a fan of what we do musically and I still care about it.

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Testament has 25 years behind them now. Is it weird to look at yourself and say, “I’m a classic metal act now”?

[laughs] Yeah, definitely. We both think that don’t we? [laughs] I think it’s weird that time flies. When we were kids we looked up to Judas Priest and Black Sabbath and those guys who are older, seasoned rock guys. Well, that’s us now [laughs].

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I just think it’s hilarious that I’m still listening to and even interviewing bands my parents would say, “They won’t be around in two years.”

[laughs] That’s so true.

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How is it getting to now see a 2nd generation of kids that are Testament fans?

It’s so awesome. I love that. Mom & Dad or Dad and son are there together getting into our show. That’s the coolest thing.

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Looking back on Testament’s 26 year career is there anything you look back on and think, “I wish we would’ve done that differently?”

Yeah, definitely. I think the production and some of the mixing on our past albums. I also wouldn’t have rushed out Souls of Black like we did. That album could’ve been something different. It is a classic record now but it was just thrown together so quickly.

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What album do you feel best represents and encapsulates everything that Testament is about?

I would say either Dark Roots of Earth or The Gathering. I’m really a big fan of The Gathering record. It’s such a heavy record.

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Are there any new, upcoming bands that you feel are doing a good job carrying the torch?

Honestly, all the newer bands that I know of aren’t really new bands anymore because time is passing by so quickly. In all honesty, I’m really not up to speed on any of the newer bands that are coming out. I actually think that Testament is still doing our part and we’re still carrying the banner.

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You’ve said before that seeing Metallica for the first time was what really drove you to put Testament (back then Legacy) together and start doing this kind of music. What is your opinion on Metallica’s change in approach and sound over the years?

Um, I don’t know. Metallica’s like a whole new band with all the singing and the playing. It works but I’m just a fan of the older Metallica. They still play that well though. I wish they’d write something like Master of Puppets again. Their last one with the coffin on the cover (Death Magnetic) was closer to the heart. Hey, but they’re having fun doing what they’re doing. I just don’t hear the metal in Metallica as much as I would like to hear.

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At what point did you know that you wanted to be a musician?

Probably around 7th or 8th grade is when I started getting into music. My older cousin got a stereo and he was always playing Rush, Earth Wind & Fire, and KISS Alive I. I just kind of adopted that music and just got into it but it was definitely Aerosmith’s Rocks and KISS Alive & Destroyer is what got me jumping around in front of a mirror with a guitar.

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You’re first band ever was Legacy who went on to be called Testament. Do you remember the first Legacy gig you ever played and if so what are your memories of it?

I just remember being so scared and throwing up backstage [laughs]. Right before we went on I was just really, really nervous. I just didn’t want to do it. I remember just saying, “I don’t want to do this. I’m so scared.” [laughs] Then that nervous energy just turns into something cool. I still get like that before I go on [laughs].

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What is going through your mind that second that you walk out on stage?

Well right before I go on I’m just pacing around nervously going, “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” [laughs] Once I get out on that stage though it all goes away.

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Do you like that feeling of nervous excitement like that before each show?

No, not at all [laughs]. I don’t like that feeling. Nervous is nervous. Usually I’ll just do a couple of shots before I go on and that gets me in the mood [laughs]. Just like I’m going to a concert or something [laughs].

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How do you come down from that kind of intense performance every night?

I just sit there and just cool off a bit. Usually I’ll eat something. I can’t eat a meal before a show. Ugh, I just can’t do it [laughs].

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What is the first show you ever went to?

That would be Day on the Green which was an outdoor festival they’d have every year. I was in eight grade and they had Aerosmith, AC/DC with Bon Scott, Mahogany Rush, Ted Nugent and I forgot the band that opened that day.

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Man, that’s no slouch of a show man.

[laughs] No kidding right? That was a great show.

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Do you feel that this show inspired or maybe even pushed you a little closer to doing what you do?

Oh yeah. I was a big fan of AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Mahogany Rush as well.

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What is one song that makes you say, “I wish I wrote that” every time you hear it?

Probably “TNT” or “Jailbreak” by AC/DC. Those songs have such great riffs.

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What is one metal album that nobody should go through life without hearing?

I’ll say Testament’s The Gathering. Yeah, I’ll go and put my band up there [laughs].

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Eric, finish this sentence: If I wasn’t a musician I would be…

I’d maybe follow my father’s footsteps and go into carpentry or something. I love working with wood. I worked with my dad a lot when I was younger.

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Eric, last but not least, what are your hopes for the future w/ Testament?

For every Metallica fan to buy our record [laughs].

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Eric, thanks so much for taking the time out to talk tonight brother.

Thank you so much Don and thanks for doing this interview tonight. Hope you have a great night.

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