21 June 2025 – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne – words and pictures by Nicole Smith-Walker
Bay Area thrashers Testament: Chuck Billy (vocals), Eric Peterson (guitar), Alex Skolnick (guitar), Steve DiGeorgio (Bass) and Chris Dovas (drums) return to the land down under after 11 years, bringing their tumultuous energy, igniting and uniting the passion of Aussie metalheads all over.
The sold out show at Northcote Theatre in Melbourne was packed to the brim in black, battle vests and beards.
Aussie prime thrash metal trio Hidden Intent, from Adelaide, opened the night at 8pm with nothing short of Aussie humour, drop bears, and tasty riffs.
Hidden Intent – Northcote Theatre – pictures by Nicole Smith-Walker
There were several attempts made by vocalist/bassist Chris to start circle pits, to warm up the crowd but there were plenty of headbanging to make up for it. Also there was a dropbear in the crowd too 😉 Their set included: ‘Paradoxx’, ‘Dead End Destiny’, ‘Breaking Point’, ‘Terrorform’, ‘Drop Bears Are Real’, ‘Reaper’, ‘Addicted To Thrash’.
Testament were absolutely unreal. The set was non-stop thunderous masterpieces.
The highlights of the night included Chuck commanding the audience to start a wall of death during ‘The Formation of Damnation’, hearing the story that the band snuck in cameras “gorilla style” during a tour of Alcatraz for their music video ‘Over The Wall’, Chuck paying respects to Indigenous people of Australia. He highlighted the song ‘Native Blood’ is about everyone deserving to have a voice. Chris performed a super sonic drum solo. A lucky fan got their wish, after requesting ‘Electric Crown’. We also all sang Happy birthday to Chuck, whose birthday is on the 23rd. My personal favourite was ballad ‘Return to Serenity’.
Testament – Northcote Theatre – pictures by Nicole Smith-Walker
Some other highlights included: ‘Practice What You Preach’, ‘Low’, ‘The Formation of Damnation’, ‘D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)’, ‘Over the Wall’.
Hopefully we won’t have to wait another 11 years for Testament to return to Aussie shores, but don’t miss them for their remaining shows at The Gov, in Adelaide, South Australia tonight and then Metropolis, Fremantle, Western Australia on the 24th of June, 2025.
