Testament / Kreator – Myth – Maplewood MN – September 26th 2024

By Kyle Hansen 6 months ago

Testament, Kreator and Possessed live at The Myth on September 26th 2024

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

Venue and Atmosphere: The concert likely took place at a venue that gives fans an up-close experience, with Possessed‘s aggressive style needing a space where they can unleash their full power. Whether it was a smaller, intimate venue or a larger metal festival, the crowd would have been filled with long-time fans as well as newer listeners, all there for that iconic Possessed energy.

Setlist: Expect a mix of old-school classics and newer material. Possessed’s catalog is a mix of iconic songs like “The Exorcist,” “Swing of the Axe,” and “Hell’s Evangelist,” along with tracks from their more recent albums like Revelations of Oblivion (2019). They’ve been known to bring the heat on both fronts, keeping things fresh while honoring the legacy.

  • Classic Tracks: It’s almost guaranteed they’d open with something from Seven Churches or Beyond the Gates to kick off the nostalgia, and songs like “The Exorcist” or “Swing of the Axe” will always hit hard in the live setting.
  • Newer Material: They may throw in some of the newer songs, like “Ritual” or “Shadowcult,” which still have that signature Possessed sound—fast, technical, and full of intensity, but with a more modern twist.

Performance:

  • Jeff Becerra still leads the charge with his unmistakable vocal style. Despite his physical challenges, Becerra’s energy and stage presence remain magnetic. His ability to command the stage and deliver powerful vocals is a testament to his passion and the band’s commitment to their craft.
  • The band itself would bring that old-school death metal ferocity, especially with their fast tempos and technical riffs. The rhythm section (particularly the drumming) is crucial to their live intensity, and Possessed has some of the best in the game.

Crowd and Energy:

  • The crowd would be a mix of diehard metalheads who know every riff and scream, and newer fans who are discovering the raw power of Possessed’s influence on death metal.
  • Expect a lot of headbanging, circle pits, and a generally chaotic, but fun atmosphere. Possessed‘s shows have always been immersive, with fans feeding off the band’s energy and vice versa.

Visuals and Production:

  • While Possessed isn’t known for extravagant stage setups, their show is likely to focus on the music and the intensity of their performance. Expect a dark, heavy atmosphere with lighting that complements their brutal sound—likely some red and blue tones, maybe some backlighting for dramatic effect, especially during their more sinister moments.

Overall Vibe: This would’ve been an all-out death metal experience, with Possessed bringing their classic sound with modern precision. Their concerts are a reminder of how influential they’ve been in shaping the death metal scene, and seeing them live is like witnessing a part of metal history unfold in front of you.

Setlist & Performance

Testament typically delivers a killer mix of their classic material alongside newer tracks. Expect to hear fan favorites like “Into the Pit,” “Over the Wall,” “The New Order,” and “More Than Meets the Eye.” Their ability to blend old-school thrash with more modern sounds is one of the reasons they’ve kept fans loyal over the years. You might also hear tracks from their more recent albums, such as Titans of Creation (2020) or Brotherhood of the Snake (2016), which showcase the band’s evolution while maintaining that unmistakable thrash sound.

The Band’s Energy

Lead vocalist Chuck Billy’s stage presence is hard to match. He’s not just an amazing vocalist; he also has a way of connecting with the audience, making you feel like you’re part of the show. He’s been a staple of Testament for decades, and he still belts out those aggressive vocal lines with impressive power. Alex Skolnick’s guitar work, as always, is top-notch. He’s one of the most respected guitarists in metal, known for his precise solos and intricate riffs, so you can expect to see some absolutely jaw-dropping moments during his solos.

Eric Peterson, the band’s other guitarist and co-founder, also brings a lot of energy to the stage, and the rhythm section, made up of Steve Di Giorgio (bass) and Dave Lombardo (drums, replacing Gene Hoglan in recent years), keeps everything tight and fast-paced. Lombardo’s drumming adds a new layer of intensity, especially given his legacy in Slayer and Fantômas.

The Crowd

The atmosphere at a Testament show is usually electric. You’ll find a mix of old-school fans who’ve been following the band since the ’80s and younger thrashers who are discovering their music for the first time. The crowd is usually hyped, with plenty of headbanging, moshing, and shouting along to the lyrics. It’s the kind of show where you feel like everyone’s united by the music, which is always a big part of the thrash experience.

Overall Vibe

What’s great about Testament is that, despite being a veteran band, they’ve never lost their intensity. Every show is a celebration of thrash metal’s roots, and they always bring an infectious energy to the stage that makes it feel like their music is still as relevant today as it was when they started in the mid-’80s.

If you’re into fast riffs, powerful vocals, and a wall of sound that punches you in the chest, Testament is a must-see live act.

A Kreator concert is always an intense, no-holds-barred experience—one of those live shows where the energy feels almost palpable in the air. As one of the “Big Four” of thrash metal (along with Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth), Kreator brings an iconic level of speed, precision, and aggression to their performances, drawing from a deep catalog that spans over 40 years.

Setlist & Performance

A Kreator setlist is a thrilling ride through their thrash mastery. Expect a mix of classic tracks like “Pleasure to Kill,” “Flag of Hate,” and “Extreme Aggression,” with more recent cuts from albums like Gods of Violence (2017) and Violent Revolution (2001). They’ve been pretty consistent about incorporating songs from all eras of their career, so whether you’re a diehard fan of their older work or you dig their more modern sound, there’s always something for everyone.

Songs like “Phantom Antichrist” and “Hordes of Chaos” bring a brutal modern energy to the stage, while older tracks like “Terrible Certainty” and “Coma of Souls” keep things rooted in classic thrash territory. The set usually features a nice blend of fast, shredding anthems and some heavier, more mid-tempo songs that allow for those devastating mosh-pit moments.

The Band’s Energy

Kreator’s live energy is electric. Mille Petrozza, the band’s frontman and founding member, is a whirlwind of intensity. His vocals are raw and commanding, whether he’s delivering high-pitched screams or guttural growls. His stage presence is magnetic; you can feel the passion he puts into every song, often drawing the audience into the chaos. Petrozza is not only a talented singer but also an incredible guitarist, so it’s always a treat to watch him tear through riffs.

The band’s rhythm section—Christian “Speesy” Giesler on bass and Jürgen “Ventor” Reil on drums—is as tight as ever, and they provide the foundation for the thrashing madness. Ventor’s drumming is relentless, keeping the pace fast and furious, while Giesler’s bass lines punch through, adding an extra layer of heaviness.

Sami Yli-Sirniö, their lead guitarist, has been with the band for a while now, and his solos are always a highlight. His style complements Petrozza’s perfectly, and together, they create this truly blistering wall of sound.

The Crowd

Kreator shows are known for their intense, high-energy crowds. The thrash community is hardcore, and that translates into a wild, high-octane atmosphere at the show. Expect a lot of moshing, headbanging, and crowd surfing—it’s the kind of environment where everyone is fully immersed in the music. It’s not just a concert; it’s a shared experience, with the audience feeding off the band’s energy and vice versa.

There’s something particularly magical about seeing a band with so much history as Kreator. When they play the classic songs, it’s like a unifying moment for everyone in the crowd—whether it’s fans who have been around since the ‘80s or newer listeners.

Overall Vibe

The overall vibe of a Kreator show is pure thrash metal chaos. It’s loud, fast, and intense, with every song delivering pure adrenaline. What stands out the most is how timeless their music feels. Even after all these years, Kreator continues to push the limits of thrash, both in the studio and live on stage. Their technical skill and sheer aggression are unmatched, making their concerts a must-see for any metal fan.

Have you had the chance to see them live recently? I’d love to know if there was a particular moment from the show that stood out for you!