Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Testament - The Legacy (1987)
Life outside of the Big 4 of thrash metal isn't always as constant a struggle as you may be forgiven for believing. By the time their debut full-length dropped in 1987 Testament were sailing into very well-known waters for the average thrash metal fan. By this stage we had heard three Metallica albums, a multitude of Slayer albums including the much lauded Reign In Blood, a couple of solid releases from Mustaine and co and Anthrax had just dropped Among The Living a month earlier. The Legacy therefore had to land with a real splash to make any impact. Even though I wasn't around the metal scene then, it is clear from spinning the record some 30 years after it was released that it could hold its own against any of the aforementioned artists and their key albums to this point.
Whilst it wasn't as extreme as Reign In Blood or as accomplished as Master of Puppets, Testament had a major asset over everyone else in the ballpark at the time and his name was Chuck Billy and he gave The Legacy a unique edge over almost anything that thrash metal had heard before. I feel he is often overlooked as one of the most challenging of vocalists in thrash metal, with a gruff style that is more domineering than James Hetfield yet equally as racing as Tom Araya with the high-end shriek being another obvious if not obligatory thrash trait that he also had in the bag. As Testament grew, his style became more bellowing and boisterous but on the debut he found his feet quickly and established himself well in an already established scene.
The other thing that strikes me about The Legacy is how good the lead work is with Skolnick and Peterson doing energetic and well-paced solos on an album that isn't all that well produced to be fair (the mix leaves a fair bit to be desired in my book at least). There was also a real team effort on the songwriting front, with everyone barring Chuck putting in a shift and this shows certainly with the two guitarists (the chief songwriters) who sound cohesive and slick. Tracks like Alone In The Dark stick in your head for a lifetime after one listen and the energy throughout the whole thing is consistent. It never gets to Slayer-like speed yet still has a burning intensity akin to the aforementioned band, it just feels a tad more subtle in delivery.
Whilst obviously held back on the production/mixing job for me, The Legacy is still a great thrash metal record that deserves more credit than it often gets. The bits that shine - the vocals and guitars - are blinding. There are better debut albums yes but there aren't many of those bands with those better debuts still around building their own legacy like Testament still are.