Wherein Eric briefly introduces the listener to the storied career of Bay Area thrash legends Testament before sitting down to chat with Testament frontman Chuck Billy about their fantastic 2025 album, Para Bellum, and their 2026 US tour, Thrash of the Titans, with Overkill and Destruction.

For more information about Testament visit:

⁠https://www.testamentlegions.com/site/

Suggested Testament songs:

"Over the Wall" from The Legacy (1987) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZkYB81FeDc

"The Ballad" from Practice What You Preach (1989)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ9-xPIuGs0

"Down for Life" from The Gathering (1999)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIu4yr5mYMc

"More Than Meets the Eye" from The Foundation of Damnation (2008)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09rHDabBQfA

"Brotherhood of the Snake" from Brotherhood of the Snake (2016) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeIgFsU0x4I

"Night of the Witch" from Titans of Creation (2020)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF2hIrXq2ss

Para Bellum is available either via digital:

https://testament.bandcamp.com/album/para-bellum

or physical media:

https://shop.nuclearblast.com/products/testament-para-bellum?srsltid=AfmBOopKN2P0S13Romq-IpQwncDIXZeWkawfzllbOlHLD-jn-zUbpRwQ

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New episodes of Heavy Metal 101 are regularly released monthly on the 3rd Monday of each month. Thanks for listening!

Underscore credits:

Electric Crown 8-bit, trooper888888888888

1924 version: Al Jolson - California, Here I Come (Isham Jones Orch.)

Testament - Over The Wall (8 Bit) pandoozles

Testament - The Ballad (8-bit) slantyrock

Death/Thrash Metal Riffs - Fight Like Hell // Royalty Free No Copyright MusicWhite Bat Audio

"More Than Meets The Eye" - Testament (8-Bit) Manny Jimenez

"Para Bellum" (excerpt) from Para Bellum (2025)

Testament (used with permission courtesy of Testament/Nuclear Blast)

"Meant to Be" (excerpt) from Para Bellum (2025)

Testament (used with permission courtesy of Testament/Nuclear Blast)

Wherein Eric celebrates the holiday season by presenting an informal fireside chat discussing some of the best books ever written about heavy metal in a variety of different categories! This episode is being offered on the main podcast feed as a "Patreon Sneak Peek" for non-members. Please consider signing up to the Heavy Metal 101 Patreon page for just $3/month. Members get access to exclusive content (like this!), as well as the satisfaction of supporting our scrappy little podcast.

⁠patreon.com/HeavyMetal101

(note: a list of all discussed books is available on our Patreon page!)