It’s fair to say Glasgow’s thrashers are in for a treat tonight, as a legendary trio of old-skool thrash gods roll into a rain-drenched Barrowlands. It’s been a while since Testament, Exodus and Death Angel have been in Scotland, and the hordes of thrash-hungry headbangers are certain mosh it up to as The Bay Strikes Back.
Death Angel waste no time in getting the packed Barrowlands crowd fired up. The short set is crammed with thrash slammers from throughout the band’s discography. Opening with latest album title “Humanicide”, the band put on a tight and energetic performance through classics like “Voracious Souls” and “Seemingly Endless Time”. Frontman Mark Osegueda delivers every scream and works the crowd while the mosh pit rages at the front. There’s wall to wall applause after closing number “Thrown to the Wolves” with assurance that Death Angel will return.
Next up is Exodus who get straight to business with their raging thrash hits. The set list is relentless with banger after banger, new and old. The mosh pit is relentless as frontman Zetro whips the crowd up into a frenzy through the likes of “Blood In Blood Out”, “Fabulous Disaster” and “Blacklist”. A thrashing good time is being had all around with the band having a laugh onstage during songs while the crowd rage below.
When the Exodus promise good friendly violent fun, they deliver. The closing trio of “Bonded By Blood”, “The Toxic Waltz” and “Strike of the Beast” leave the Barrowlands well and truly thrashed with the biggest pits, the flying crowd surfers and the double wall of death as the set ends. There’s rapturous applause throughout the set, especially for the return of guitarist Gary Holt. With Exodus firing on all cylinders and slaying stages, their upcoming album is sure to kill.
As the lights dim and the intro track plays over the speakers, anticipation is high for headliners Testament. Introducing the set is a slew of classic numbers including “The New Order” and “The Haunting”, getting the crowd instantly pumped up and thrashing. The band are performing well, each taking turns in the spotlight and rocking out onstage. It’s always a joy to watch frontman Chuck Billy play air guitar with his mic stand as guitar hero Alex Skolnick shreds centre stage.
The middle of the set features more recent hits like the insanely catchy “Dark Roots of Earth” and “Brotherhood of the Snake” which keep heads banging. Promoting their upcoming album Titans of Creation, Testament also showcase the two singles released from the album – “Night of the Witch” and “Children of the Next Level” – which go down a storm.
The mosh continues through ending numbers like “Into the Pit” and “Over the Wall”, with both the band and headbangers below having a thrashing good time. With the band putting on an awesome performance and the crowd mentally moshing through the closing classics, Testament and co. definitely bring the Bay Area strike to Scotland. Our ravenous metal mob are always baying for more raging thrash, and the return of legends like tonight always makes for a killer show.
Pics by Lowrey Photography
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Great review, the show was excellent and all three bands were on top form, although a personal highlight for me was getting a fistbump from Lee Altus when he clocked my Heathen shirt! Hoping they make a stop by Glasgow when their album comes out too.