Despite it being a sunday, Lansdowne Street was flooded with fans excitedly lined up for Testament’s performance at House of Blues. Donned in metalhead attire, band tees, studded belts, leather jackets, thrash metal band Testament along with thrash metal band Kreator and special guests death metal band Possessed brought fans of all ages to the Boston streets.
Possessed began the performance with vocalist Jeff Becerra’s growls, alongside him on stage were Daniel Gonzalez and Claudeous Creamer on guitars, Robert Cardenas on bass and Chris Aguirre on drums.
Originally formed in 1982 in the San Francisco Bay area, Possessed is often credited with being one of the first death metal bands, paving the way for the 1980s thrash metal scene with their albums Seven Churches (1985), and Beyond the Gates (1986).
Despite suffering from a paralyzing gunshot injury that left him in a wheelchair, Becerra’s voice hasn’t lost its bite, delivering each growl with conviction and power. His vocal style embodies the relentless spirit of Possessed—uncompromising, raw, and full of intensity. Possessed, with their rapid thrash-inspired riffs, blast beats and intense sound, got the crowd energized and excited for even more heaviness to come.
After Possessed, Kreator maintained the energy and adrenaline filled atmosphere with their fast paced thrash set. German thrash metal band formed in 1982, comprising of vocalist Miland “Mille” Petrozza along with Jürgen “Ventor” Reil on drums, Sami Yli-Sirniö on guitar, and Frédéric Leclercq on bass, left the crowd buzzing from their intense riffs and thrilling set.
Performing songs such as “Sergio Corbucci is Dead” and ” Hate Uber Alles” off of their 2022 album Hate Uber Alles as well as songs off their older albums such as 1986 Pleasure to Kill, Kreator gave the crowd an invigorating taste of their discography. Their precision at blistering speeds is impressive, blending ferocity with melodic breaks that give their sound added dimension. The result is a visceral performance that leaves the audience breathless and electrified from start to finish.
The last to perform for the night, Testament finished off the brutal, thrash-filled concert with a bang. Formed in California 1983, thrash metal band Testament consists of members Chuck Billy on vocals, Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick on guitar, Steve Di Giorgio on bass and Chris Dovas on drums.
The setlist was a perfect balance of old-school thrash classics and newer material, showcasing the band’s evolution without losing the ferocity that made them icons in the genre. Songs like ‘Over the Wall’ and ‘Into the Pit’ ignited the crowd, with pits opening up and fists flying in unison to the pummeling rhythms.
A potent blend of classic thrash metal aggression with technical precision and melodic complexity, Testament exhilarated fans with a fast-paced, aggressive energy, the mosh pit breaking out into circle pits, wall of deaths and sheer chaos. They managed to deliver all the speed and aggression that thrash metal demands while incorporating progressive and melodic elements, making their music captivating for both casual listeners and those who appreciate the artistry behind metal.
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