Live Review: Testament (USA) in Melbourne Australia
21st June 2025, Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
Review by: Jeana Thomas
Photography by: Jeana Thomas Photography
Testament at Northcote Theatre: A Thrash Metal Triumph
Melbourne’s Northcote Theatre transformed into a cauldron of thrash metal fury as Testament, the Bay Area’s enduring heavyweights, stormed the stage for their first Australian headline show in over a decade and a half. The sold-out crowd, a sea of leather jackets and fervent anticipation, was treated to a relentless display of power and precision that reaffirmed Testament’s place as one of thrash’s most formidable acts. With nearly 40 years of music behind them, the band delivered a set that wove their storied past with their vibrant present.
Testament’s performance was a seismic eruption of thrash metal, detonating with the iconic Practice What You Preach, a track that didn’t just open the show, it obliterated the calm, sending the crowd into a headbanging, fist-pumping delirium. Northcote Theatre, located at 216 High Street, with its elegant art deco charm and pristine acoustics, proved the perfect backdrop for Testament’s onslaught. The venue’s compact yet open design fostered an electric intimacy, amplifying every riff and roar. Fans, clad in faded band tees, erupted as vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve Di Giorgio and drummer Chris Dovas took their places, ready to dive into a setlist that spanned their iconic career.
The setlist was a handpicked arsenal, each song a sonic warhead: Sins of Omission slithered with its razor-edged riffs, The Pale King galloped with apocalyptic menace and The Haunting cast a ghostly spell over the pit. The relentless assault continued with Souls of Black and First Strike Is Deadly, both dripping with old-school ferocity, while Rise Up and Native Blood whipped the audience into a fevered frenzy. But it was D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate) from The Gathering (1999) that unleashed pure pandemonium. The floor transformed into a swirling vortex of chaos as a circle pit exploded – sweat-soaked fans, fuelled by adrenaline and beer, charged in a wild, circular stampede, colliding with gleeful abandon, shoving and stumbling in a glorious display of thrash-fuelled camaraderie.
Yet, Testament’s genius lies in their refusal to be a one-dimensional juggernaut. Amid the breakneck thrash, they pivoted with swagger, proving they can tug at the soul as fiercely as they crush skulls. With a mischievous laugh, Chuck Billy leaned into the mic and drawled, “Alright, let’s slow it down for a hot minute,” cueing the tender, gut-punch ballad Trail of Tears from Low (1994). Alex Skolnick’s guitar work shimmered like a desert mirage, his melodic lines weaving a tapestry of raw emotion that silenced the rowdiest headbangers. Chuck, the grizzled thrash titan, revealed a softer edge, his voice soaring with a melodic warmth that hit like a quiet storm. This dynamic interplay, blistering aggression tempered by haunting introspection, made the night transcendent. Testament crafted an unforgettable saga, proving they’re not just metal legends, but alchemists of sound and sentiment.
Chuck Billy, at 63, was a commanding presence, his voice a potent mix of menace and melody. Tracks like Souls of Black and Return to Serenity showcased his ability to shift from bone-rattling growls to soaring hooks, all while engaging the crowd with fist-raised charisma and his trademark air-guitar flourishes. During The Formation of Damnation, a track that earned critical acclaim, Billy’s connection with the audience was electric, with fans chanting every word in unison, creating a shared moment of metal euphoria.
The night took a killer turn when Steve Di Giorgio stepped into the spotlight, delivering a thunderous bass solo that set the perfect stage for Souls of Black from their 1990 album. The crowd was completely locked in, riding the wave of those deep, resonant riffs. Then Chuck Billy, flashing a grin, said, “It’s time to shift gears,” and the band eased into the gorgeous Return to Serenity from The Ritual (1992). That ballad was a standout – Alex Skolnick’s guitar work wove this soulful, melodic spell and you could feel the whole venue leaning into it, totally captivated. It was one of those moments where the crowd just connected on another level.
Midway through, Chris Dovas took over with a jaw-dropping drum solo, his sticks flying in a controlled frenzy while the rest of the band grabbed a quick break. They stormed back with Electric Crown from 1992, electrifying the room with its searing energy. But the encore? That was next-level. They unleashed Into the Pit from The New Order (1988), and the place exploded. The circle pit turned into this wild, chaotic whirlwind, fans crashing into each other with reckless joy, the most intense it’d been all night. Testament played with ferocious precision, feeding off the crowd’s energy. By the end, everyone was drenched in sweat, grinning with that victorious glow, like we’d all just conquered something epic. Those veteran rockers proved they’ve still got the fire to dominate a stage like no one else. What a night!
The 90-minute performance felt both epic and relentless, with no lulls, each song flowing seamlessly into the next. The band’s chemistry was undeniable, their execution tight yet brimming with the raw edge that thrash demands.
Northcote Theatre’s intimate vibe enhanced the experience, allowing fans up front to feel the band’s intensity up close. The venue had stellar sound and vibrant atmosphere, which perfectly complemented Testament’s onslaught.
The audience was a vibrant mix of grizzled thrash veterans and younger fans discovering the band’s legacy. Mosh pits swirled and crowd surfers soared, reflecting the communal spirit of the night.
The band exited to a wave of applause, having delivered a performance that was both a nod to their roots and a bold declaration of their relevance. For fans who missed it, Testament’s tour rolls on to Adelaide and Perth, with 2025 festival slots at events like Sonic Temple on the horizon. Tickets for future shows are available via Ticketmaster AU and Moshtix, with VIP options offering a chance to meet the band. Testament’s Northcote Theatre performance was a blazing reminder of their legacy – a night that proved thrash metal’s fire burns as fiercely as ever.
Hidden Intent’s Ferocious Support Set at Northcote Theatre: A Thrash Triumph
Adelaide’s Hidden Intent delivered a scorching support set for Bay Area legends Testament during their first Australian headline tour in 15 years. The packed venue provided an ideal stage for Hidden Intent to unleash their high-octane brand of “pub-thrash,” proving they’re a force to be reckoned with in Australia’s metal scene. Fresh off their Terrorform album launch tour, this trio—vocalist/bassist Chris McEwen, guitarist Phil Bennett and drummer Paul Hume, set the tone for the night with a performance that was both raw and refined, earning roars from a diverse crowd of thrash enthusiasts.
Their performance was a thrash metal joyride that had the crowd roaring from the first riff. Kicking off with Paradoxx from their 2025 album Terrorform, the Adelaide trio unleashed a whirlwind of razor-sharp riffs and philosophical musings on life’s contradictions, setting a ferocious tone. The Ruins, also from Terrorform, followed with its relentless, windmill-inducing breakdowns, its dark lyrical dive into human decay, Dead End Destiny from the 2021 album of the same name cranked up the intensity. Breaking Point, another Dead End Destiny banger, delivered a punk-infused thrash assault, capturing the raw angst of hitting rock bottom. The title track Terrorform twisted the concept of terraforming into a psychological gut-punch, its crushing grooves and clever wordplay showcasing the band’s evolution. Drop Bears Are Real, a fan-favourite from Fear, Prey, Demise (2018), brought Aussie humour to the chaos with its tongue-in-cheek nod to mythical creatures. Reaper, a fresh cut from Terrorform, sliced through with haunting melodies and grim reaper imagery, proving their knack for blending melody with menace. Closing with Addicted to Thrash (2016 single), they paid homage to their Bay Area roots with a high-octane, beer-sloshing anthem that left everyone sweaty and satisfied. Hidden Intent owned the stage with a setlist that was equal parts brains, brawn and banter.
The trio’s performance was a testament to years of grinding it out in pubs, clubs and international festivals like Wacken Open Air and Bloodstock. They showed their ability to hold their own alongside Testament, a band with decades of acclaim, spoke volumes about their growing stature. Having previously opened for Sepultura and smashed festivals like Froth & Fury Fest, Hidden Intent brought that same festival-ready intensity to Northcote.
As a support act, they energised and ignited the audience with a blistering performance that perfectly paved the way for Testament’s commanding headline set. Their performance was a celebration of thrash’s enduring spirit, infused with a modern edge and a uniquely Australian grit.
SET LIST Testament:
Practice What You Preach – Practice What You Preach (1989)
Sins of Omission – Practice What You Preach (1989)
The Pale King – Brotherhood of the Snake (2016)
The Haunting – The Legacy (1987)
Rise Up – Dark Roots of Earth (2012)
D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate) – The Gathering (1999)
Low – Low (1994)
Native Blood – Dark Roots of Earth (2012)
Trail of Tears – Demonic (1997)
The Formation of Damnation – The Formation of Damnation (2008)
Souls of Black – Souls of Black (1990)
Return to Serenity – The Ritual (1992)
Bass Solo – live performance feature
First Strike Is Deadly – First Strike Still Deadly (2001)
Electric Crown – The Ritual (1992)
More Than Meets The Eye – The Formation of Damnation (2008)
Over The Wall – The Legacy (1987)
About the Writer: Originally hailing from Western Australia, Jeana Thomas now thrives in the vibrant city of Melbourne. Amidst the hustle of her role in a prominent teaching hospital, she also navigates the dynamic world of entrepreneurship as the owner of a medical transcription company. Beyond her professional endeavours, Jeana finds solace and joy in the rhythm of music, the allure of travel and the artistry of photography, with a particular passion for wildlife photography.-
About Sheldon Ang Media: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to more than 170 of the hottest acts including Coldplay (Perth), Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK and The Kid LAROI with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Wiggles and Toni Childs on social media. The founder has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 70 artists. SAM is also a music journalist on the Triple M Radio network.
