The rise of grunge within the early ’90s marked a seismic shift within the music business. Whereas the Seattle sound captured mainstream consideration and reshaped popular culture, its ascent disrupted the momentum of different genres, particularly steel. Testament frontman Chuck Billy not too long ago mirrored on this turbulent period, providing a candid perspective on how grunge affected his band and steel as a complete.
In an interview with Full Metallic Jackie (through Loudwire), Billy addressed the widespread perception that grunge “killed” steel, providing a extra nuanced take: “There’s folks that say it killed steel. I do not know if it killed steel. I simply suppose some bands, and I can solely communicate for us, but it surely killed our momentum.”
For Testament, the timing was significantly irritating. The band had begun to get pleasure from vital radio publicity, breaking by means of the late-night faculty radio area of interest that always confined steel.
“Throughout that point, we have been getting publicity on radio, really having steel performed throughout drive time visitors, which was superior to us for each Follow and Souls of Black in that period,” Billy defined. “There was, God, it needed to be a pair hundred stations throughout the nation that have been enjoying steel throughout drive time visitors. You simply did not have the midnight present on faculty radio. So steel was getting an opportunity. It was getting publicity for slightly bit, much more excessive model steel.”
Nonetheless, as grunge grew right into a cultural juggernaut, steel’s second within the solar light. The shift compelled Testament to reevaluate their method to music and profession: “It did not kill us, but it surely modified our perspective seeing what was occurring to the opposite bands. The momentum slowed down, and we needed to shift gears to sort of return to our roots,” Billy recalled.
As a substitute of chasing mainstream traits or making an attempt to emulate essentially the most established grunge bands, Testament selected a unique path. For Testament, this meant embracing their authentic sound—heavier, extra aggressive, and uncompromising. This back-to-basics method in the end solidified their identification and gained the loyalty of followers.
“It wasn’t about writing a tune that is going to get publicity on the radio anymore as a result of it was sort of altering. And naturally, we weren’t going to attempt to be Soundgarden or Pearl Jam. So we shifted again to the place we began.”
“Let’s return and write heavier songs and extra aggressive songs. Get again to what we all know, what we love, and simply keep on with that,” Billy mentioned. “I believe it was the proper selection as a result of we do speak to followers immediately who reward us and say thanks a lot for sticking round and being Testament. And that is a giant praise.”
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