anniversary of TESTAMENT's turning point

August 8, 1989: Testament – Practice What You Preach

Despite starting late in the '80s American metal timeline —with a debut album that did not come out until 1987— Testament was clearly a band working nonstop, taking advantage of their moment when it arrived in the rise of American thrash metal. After a successful debut in 1987 and a strong sophomore album in 1988, Testament proved in 1989 that they were fully ready to stand out. They took a chance and grabbed the bull by the horns. This third album marked the band's turning point. The broader audience of Music Television heard Testament's new, more melodic yet still thrash-based heavy metal sound —with actual singing and a more commercially appealing style— and the MTV and radio metal audiences liked it. Three albums in three years, backed by exposure beyond the thrash metal underground, a bit of radio airplay, and lots of touring, signaled that Testament had officially arrived. This was Testament, knowing full well to strike while the iron was hot.

Testament – Sins of Omission