{"id":11892,"date":"2013-10-18T01:00:23","date_gmt":"2013-10-18T05:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southeastofheaven.com\/?p=11892"},"modified":"2013-11-14T07:39:40","modified_gmt":"2013-11-14T12:39:40","slug":"blowin-wind-with-testaments-eric-peterson-aerosmiths-rocks-and-kiss-alive-destroyer-is-what-got-me-jumping-around-in-front-of-a-mirror-with-a-guitar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.southeastofheaven.com\/?p=11892","title":{"rendered":"Blowin\u2019 Wind with Testament\u2019s Eric Peterson: \u201cAerosmith\u2019s Rocks and KISS Alive &#038; Destroyer is what got me jumping around in front of a mirror with a guitar.\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/southeastofheaven.com\/?attachment_id=11893\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11893\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-11893\" alt=\"002\" src=\"https:\/\/southeastofheaven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/002-195x300.jpg\" width=\"195\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a>For over 25 years, Testament has been a staple and a driving force within the world of Heavy Metal. Originally started after guitarist Eric Peterson saw Metallica tearing it up on a small club stage, Testament grew over the years from the dream of a young guitarist to the metal legends that they are today. Over the years Testament has survived everything from crucial line-up changes to the ever shifting plates of the world of metal yet they managed to always stick to their guns delivering the music that they wanted to deliver regardless of what was popular or trendy.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In 2012 Testament released Dark Roots of Earth which, in my opinion, is the best album Testament has released in years. It was a return to form and had the band playing with full force and a youthful fire and energy that seemed to put the band back on top of it all. I recently had the chance to speak with founding guitarist Eric Peterson and we talked about everything from the upcoming live release \u201cThe Dark Roots of Thrash: Live\u201d to what it was that got him wanting to play music in the first place. Eric was admittedly hung over from too much partying the night before so he didn\u2019t seem as engaged as I would\u2019ve hoped he would. With that being said, he was a really nice guy and it was a real pleasure to talk with him. I hope you all dig this one.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eric, thanks so much for taking the time out to do this.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Not a problem man. Thanks for having me.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>I wish I could go back in time to my 16 year old self and tell him that I\u2019d be talking to you tonight.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[laughs] That\u2019s awesome Don.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>I also have to congratulate you on Dark Roots of Earth. What a fucking masterpiece. You guys clearly aren\u2019t out of ideas but you have captured this kind of youthful. Where did that come from?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For me, that 2nd wind all started with The Gathering. It\u2019s been so long between records but The Gathering was the fire for me. It was fast stuff mixed with modern sounds. Definitely with Formation of Damnation we came back strong and with the original lineup and Dark Roots of Earth as well I feel was really strong. I think in a way we\u2019ve come full circle with our sound and going back to our roots but not copying it. I also feel like technology has gotten so much better you know? It\u2019s easier to record now and things like ProTools have made things a bit more simpler.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>It seems like the recording process is a lot more streamlined now. You can get a lot more done in a short period of time.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Exactly. That\u2019s it right there.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>Testament seems to have really found a good place to be musically and, as you said earlier, have come full circle. Is this a place where you\u2019re happy and how do you see Testament progressing from here?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Well, we know what we want now. When we were younger, we just kind of went into the studio and let the producer get the sounds and we just played the songs. Of course, we gave our opinions but I don\u2019t think we knew then what we wanted as much as we do now. Now we know exactly what we want. Chuck (Billy; vocalist) knows exactly how he wants to sound and I know how I want to sound. I know what I want the drums to do and everything.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>So I\u2019ve been digging the new live release \u201cDark Roots of Thrash.\u201d It\u2019s really a great release but tell me how this release stands out from the previous Testament releases?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Oh have you seen the DVD yet?<\/p>\n<p><center><iframe src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/B81K2qKF-1M\" height=\"315\" width=\"420\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/center><strong>No, I haven\u2019t seen it yet. I\u2019ve just been listening to the audio tracks.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You really need to see this DVD. To me it goes hand in hand. Of course, the listening part is cool but watching it and listening to it at the same time is really awesome. The previous live release was more of a reunion show. We had two different drummers. John Tempesta played the first half and Louie Clemente played the 2nd half. It was more of our classic songs. This release is where the band is at now which is what I think is our peek. I\u2019m sure it\u2019s going to continue but we\u2019re definitely on a roll. We\u2019re on a level where all the engines are running and we\u2019re playing songs from almost every record. There are things missing from some records but we\u2019ve put together a set that is compiled of almost everything we\u2019ve done from The Legacy to Dark Roots of Earth.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>I really enjoyed the fact that there is a significant amount of newer material being played. A lot of bands do tend to become a nostalgia act and I feel like this shows Testament\u2019s relevance in modern times. You\u2019re making strong material so why not play it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Thanks. Yeah, most of the bands that I grew up listening to when they were in their 25th year, you\u2019d get a record from them and you\u2019d say, \u201cOk, so one of these songs is ok\u201d or you\u2019d say, \u201cWhat the fuck are you doing?\u201d [laughs] It\u2019s frustrating. I\u2019m a fan of music still and a fan of what we do musically and I still care about it.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>Testament has 25 years behind them now. Is it weird to look at yourself and say, \u201cI\u2019m a <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" id=\"irc_mi\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/Interviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/testament4.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"450\" \/>classic metal act now\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[laughs] Yeah, definitely. We both think that don\u2019t we? [laughs] I think it\u2019s weird that time flies. When we were kids we looked up to Judas Priest and Black Sabbath and those guys who are older, seasoned rock guys. Well, that\u2019s us now [laughs].<\/p>\n<p>==========================<\/p>\n<p><strong>I just think it\u2019s hilarious that I\u2019m still listening to and even interviewing bands my parents would say, \u201cThey won\u2019t be around in two years.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[laughs] That\u2019s so true.<\/p>\n<p>=================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>How is it getting to now see a 2nd generation of kids that are Testament fans?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s so awesome. I love that. Mom &amp; Dad or Dad and son are there together getting into our show. That\u2019s the coolest thing.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>Looking back on Testament\u2019s 26 year career is there anything you look back on and think, \u201cI wish we would\u2019ve done that differently?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yeah, definitely. I think the production and some of the mixing on our past albums. I also wouldn\u2019t have rushed out Souls of Black like we did. That album could\u2019ve been something different. It is a classic record now but it was just thrown together so quickly.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>What album do you feel best represents and encapsulates everything that Testament is about?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I would say either <strong>Dark Roots of Earth<\/strong> or <strong>The Gathering<\/strong>. I\u2019m really a big fan of The Gathering record. It\u2019s such a heavy record.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>Are there any new, upcoming bands that you feel are doing a good job carrying the torch?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Honestly, all the newer bands that I know of aren\u2019t really new bands anymore because time is passing by so quickly. In all honesty, I\u2019m really not up to speed on any of the newer bands that are coming out. I actually think that Testament is still doing our part and we\u2019re still carrying the banner.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>You\u2019ve said before that seeing Metallica for the first time was what really drove you to put Testament (back then Legacy) together and start doing this kind of music. What is your opinion on Metallica\u2019s change in approach and sound over the years?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Um, I don\u2019t know. Metallica\u2019s like a whole new band with all the singing and the playing. It works but I\u2019m just a fan of the older Metallica. They still play that well though. I wish they\u2019d write something like <strong>Master of Puppets<\/strong> again. Their last one with the coffin on the cover (Death Magnetic) was closer to the heart. Hey, but they\u2019re having fun doing what they\u2019re doing. I just don\u2019t hear the metal in Metallica as much as I would like to hear.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" id=\"irc_mi\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-thWc1lrux0I\/TmZj9ZlganI\/AAAAAAAAAY0\/85QIsRNr_Mc\/s1600\/DSC_0003.JPG\" width=\"363\" height=\"464\" \/>At what point did you know that you wanted to be a musician?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Probably around 7th or 8th grade is when I started getting into music. My older cousin got a stereo and he was always playing Rush, Earth Wind &amp; Fire, and KISS Alive I. I just kind of adopted that music and just got into it but it was definitely Aerosmith\u2019s <strong>Rocks<\/strong> and KISS <strong>Alive<\/strong> &amp; <strong>Destroyer<\/strong> is what got me jumping around in front of a mirror with a guitar.<\/p>\n<p>=======================<\/p>\n<p><strong>You\u2019re first band ever was Legacy who went on to be called Testament. Do you remember the first Legacy gig you ever played and if so what are your memories of it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I just remember being so scared and throwing up backstage [laughs]. Right before we went on I was just really, really nervous. I just didn\u2019t want to do it. I remember just saying, \u201cI don\u2019t want to do this. I\u2019m so scared.\u201d [laughs] Then that nervous energy just turns into something cool. I still get like that before I go on [laughs].<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is going through your mind that second that you walk out on stage?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Well right before I go on I\u2019m just pacing around nervously going, \u201cFuck! Fuck! Fuck!\u201d [laughs] Once I get out on that stage though it all goes away.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do you like that feeling of nervous excitement like that before each show?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No, not at all [laughs]. I don\u2019t like that feeling. Nervous is nervous. Usually I\u2019ll just do a couple of shots before I go on and that gets me in the mood [laughs]. Just like I\u2019m going to a concert or something [laughs].<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you come down from that kind of intense performance every night?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I just sit there and just cool off a bit. Usually I\u2019ll eat something. I can\u2019t eat a meal before a show. Ugh, I just can\u2019t do it [laughs].<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the first show you ever went to?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>That would be Day on the Green which was an outdoor festival they\u2019d have every year. I was in eight grade and they had Aerosmith, AC\/DC with Bon Scott, Mahogany Rush, Ted Nugent and I forgot the band that opened that day.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>Man, that\u2019s no slouch of a show man.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[laughs] No kidding right? That was a great show.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do you feel that this show inspired or maybe even pushed you a little closer to doing what you do?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Oh yeah. I was a big fan of AC\/DC, Aerosmith, and Mahogany Rush as well.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is one song that makes you say, \u201cI wish I wrote that\u201d every time you hear it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Probably \u201cTNT\u201d or \u201cJailbreak\u201d by AC\/DC. Those songs have such great riffs.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is one metal album that nobody should go through life without hearing?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ll say Testament\u2019s <strong>The Gathering<\/strong>. Yeah, I\u2019ll go and put my band up there [laughs].<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eric, finish this sentence: If I wasn\u2019t a musician I would be\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d maybe follow my father\u2019s footsteps and go into carpentry or something. I love working with wood. I worked with my dad a lot when I was younger.<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eric, last but not least, what are your hopes for the future w\/ Testament?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For every Metallica fan to buy our record [laughs].<\/p>\n<p>========================================<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eric, thanks so much for taking the time out to talk tonight brother.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Thank you so much Don and thanks for doing this interview tonight. Hope you have a great night.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For over 25 years, Testament has been a staple and a driving force within the world of Heavy Metal. Originally started after guitarist Eric Peterson saw Metallica tearing it up on a small club stage, Testament grew over the years from the dream of a young guitarist to the metal legends that they are today. Over the years Testament has survived everything from crucial line-up changes to the ever shifting plates of the world of metal yet they managed to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[194],"tags":[1039,403],"class_list":["post-11892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-interviews","tag-eric-peterson","tag-testament"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.southeastofheaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.southeastofheaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.southeastofheaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southeastofheaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southeastofheaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11892"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.southeastofheaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11892\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.southeastofheaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southeastofheaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southeastofheaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}