KLASH OF THE TITANS TOUR
TESTAMENT, KREATOR,
POSSESSED
ROSE MUSIC CENTER
HUBER HEIGHTS, OHIO
SEPTEMBER 28, 2024
By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications
Last night Chuck Billy—lead vocalist of the one and only Testament, a “Big Four” metal band—energized a packed crowd of elder and younger metal heads with his friendly smile and his signature air guitar motions while pacing the stage and ferociously belting lyrics to classic songs.
Over the summer the thrash metal pioneers re-released remastered versions of The Legacy (1992) and The New Order (1989), and from the two albums they performed songs including: “Into The Pit,” “Apocalyptic City,” “Trial By Fire,” “Do Or Die,” “The New Order,” “The Haunting” and many others to exceed a 60-minute set.
Billy has fronted the band for nearly four decades alongside original members Alex Skolnick (guitars), Eric Peterson (guitars), long time bassist Steve Di Giorgio and newer drummer Chris Dovas, who officially joined the band in 2023 after replacing drummer Dave Lombardo.
The on-stage comradery among the band members was undeniable throughout the set; together, never missing a beat. Di Giorgio and Peterson often met with Skolnick in the center to shred while the light show of bright reds and yellows compulsively flashed as smoke rose upward. Dovas performed a brief hard hitting drum solo that was met with cheers.
German thrash metal tour co-headliner Kreator proved their heavy metal legend status as they performed as if their first rodeo was way back in 1982… which it turns out is when they formed. Lead vocalist Mille Petrozza informed the crowd they have been touring the US since 1987 and ever since then the crowds “have never let [them] down.”
The four members brought with them three giant inflatable demon gargoyles to add to their already crushing stage presence alongside a red-green focused light production that danced in unison to the ferocious tempo-changing music as fans exclaimed the choruses aloud, along with fast paced fist pumping chants during guitar breakdowns.
The setlist spanned their lengthy 15-album catalogue; songs performed included: “Satan Is Real,” “Betrayer,” “Violent Revolution,” “Phobia” and many more to fill more than an hour.
Rounding out the tour was West Coast thrash metal dominators Possessed, an influential band that helped pave the road for the death metal genre.
Last night their on-stage prowess inspired a sea of head banging with fan’s hands up in the air, waving metal horns, and occasional “hey… hey…” chants.
The five-piece plowed through an energetic 30-minute set with screeching guitar solos, closing with 1991’s “Swing Of The Axe.”
Each of The Klash Of The Titans Tour bands gave a winning performance. The 33-date tour of respectable metal music legends is a must see when it visits your city this Fall.
TESTAMENT (click photos to enlarge)
KREATOR (click photos to enlarge)
POSSESSED (click photos to enlarge)
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