18 June 2025 – The Tivoli, Brisbane – words and pictures Bec Harbour
Brisbane’s Tivoli was transformed into a temple of thrash as Testament returned to Australian shores for the first time since 2014, and it was nothing short of a masterclass in metal. But before the Bay Area legends took the stage, local support Snake Mountain ignited the room with a blistering short set that demanded attention.
Despite the early weekday slot, a healthy contingent of diehards packed the venue early, determined to claim barrier spots and warm up their neck muscles. Snake Mountain tore through a five-song set that included ‘The Revenant’, ‘Veins’, ‘Extinction Through Fire’, ‘The Serpent’ and ‘Everliving’. Frontman Neville Pearce was a whirlwind of energy, bounding around the stage like he’d been plugged into the mains. His ferocity was matched by the band’s tight delivery, and the crowd responded with solid approval. For a lot of punters, this was the first time seeing them (including me) — and Snake Mountain made sure it wouldn’t be the last.
Snake Mountain – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
As the lights dimmed for the headliners, excitement buzzed through the crowd. Fans shared memories of past Testament gigs, and a man dressed as Odin, complete with staff and beard, cheerfully posed for photos, adding to the atmosphere. At exactly 9pm, the stage glowed blood red and Testament emerged for their first show of this tour, to a roar, horns raised and ready.
Opening with the explosive ‘Rise Up’, the band came out swinging. Chuck Billy, a commanding presence as always, greeted the Brisbane crowd (after initially calling us Melbourne… twice), admitting it had been a long flight, “too much weed… and it smells really good out there.” (in response to the waft of green from the audience) His charm and self-deprecation only made the crowd love him more.
Testament – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
By the second song, the venue had turned into a battleground of bliss — fists in the air, heads banging, and crowd surfers pouring over the barrier. During ‘Native Blood’, Billy gave a respectful shout-out to the First Nations people of Australia, “I know there are a few of you out there…” — a moment of genuine acknowledgment that resonated with many.
The energy only built from there. Guitar gods Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick delivered blistering solos throughout the night, showcasing both technical mastery and sheer power. When the band ripped into ‘The Formation of Damnation’, the entire room bellowed the chorus, fists raised high in unison.
Testament – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
A smoky haze and eerie green lighting set the tone for ‘First Strike Is Deadly’, the old-school thrash vibes hitting hard. “You guys like that old school shit?” Billy asked — a rhetorical question, really. We sure did. He reminisced about the pressure to go alternative during the grunge era before launching into ‘Electric Crown’, a middle finger to compromise, and one of the night’s standout moments.
The crowd interaction was relentless. At one point, Billy incited a wall of death, instructing “the motherfuckers on the right” to take on “the motherfuckers on the left” — but only when he said so. And when he did, the pit exploded (kinda).
Testament – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
A highlight came with the chant-heavy ‘More Than Meets the Eye’, where the entire room joined in the “whoa-oh-ohs”, fists in the air again. Testament didn’t just perform — they communed with their audience, and every word Billy said was met with loud approval (yes, even when he botched the city name).
They closed the night with the thundering ‘Disciples of the Watch’, leaving the crowd sweaty, satisfied, and shouting for more. Billy closed with heartfelt thanks, telling the audience how much he loves playing in Australia — and we believed every word.
Aside from a few creepy dudes outside the ladies’ loos who forgot how to act in public (seriously, do better), the crowd was passionate but respectful, letting the music do the heavy lifting.
Testament – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
Setlist Highlights:
- Rise Up
- Native Blood
- The Formation of Damnation
- First Strike Is Deadly
- Electric Crown
- More Than Meets the Eye
- Disciples of the Watch
Testament delivered a thunderous night of classic and modern thrash with charm, power, and a lot of heart. Brisbane’s Testament fans won’t be forgetting this gig anytime soon.
