Leave Louie's drumming skills alone!

[Sharona]

For those of you who weren't even born back then when Testament was all the rage or those who have just become fans within the past 13 years and have negative comments about Louie's skills...PUT A FRICKIN' LID ON IT! He's back whether you like it or not!

Louie is back because without him, Eric and Derek (Eric's cousin...for those of you who don't know) there would be no Testament...he was part of the foundation. So what if his drumming skills don't surpass some of your expectations as to how a drummer should perform.
He and the rest of the guys WERE the "real" Testament. Some of Testament's best work came out of "New Order" and "Practice" despite what others believe.

If you were around to see their performance back then you would have a better appreciation of the ENTIRE group.

Testament would have kept Louie on board but his heart was no longer in the band thirteen years ago. And, because of that, other drummers were recruited to fill in his shoes. That doesn't mean he sucks as a drummer.

Kudos to him to have returned with his "original" family! These guys have a strong bond together...it was only a matter of time. I knew someday he'd return. ROCK ON, LOUIE!!!

 

[EvileOL]

He was an excellent drummer for Testament at the time he was in Testament, an un-stated standard has been set in drumming, which most people follow, and anyone who doesn't live up to that new standard is automatically not as good regardless. I think that's wrong.

Louie is a cool metal drummer; ok so he's not Gene Hoglan or Flo from cryptopsy, but who gives a shit, he was and is a part of one of the greatest bands in the world, and in my opinion, if Testament hadn't had louie playing, testament wouldn't have been as good. He wasn't too flashy, he wasn't too simple, he was just metal and perfect for the overall structure and feel of the songs.

just my open onion

Louie \m/\m/

 

[beepbeep]

speaking no harm bout Louie, but you have to face the facts. Not everyone can be on the same level. There'll always be some guys that play better than others. Louie isn't a bad drummer, but you'll have to face the fact that there are better drummers. But don't forget, he still has it in him to do the stuff on stage. That's marvelous and deserves some respect.

 

[The saYer]

hahahathe title of this thread is funny.

but yeah, I actually would prefer louie drumming, not technically of course, but just the musical harmony that the original lineup had was the best, for me this doesn't have anything to do with being born to see them back then (I was 4 when legacy came out), but maybe the oldschoolers would agree.

 

[max]

true. i was thinking about this the other day - i read somewhere that it was LOUIE who had wanted to get a band going, way back in the day. so i guess that makes him the founding member!!? (if that stuff i read was factually correct).

 

[Tuff_Rulz]

For those of you who weren't even born back then when Testament was all the rage or those who have just become fans within the past 13 years and have negative comments about Louie's skills...PUT A FRICKIN' LID ON IT! He's back whether you like it or not!

Louie is back because without him, Eric and Derek (Eric's cousin...for those of you who don't know) there would be no Testament...he was part of the foundation. So what if his drumming skills don't surpass some of your expectations as to how a drummer should perform.
He and the rest of the guys WERE the "real" Testament. Some of Testament's best work came out of "New Order" and "Practice" despite what others believe.

If you were around to see their performance back then you would have a better appreciation of the ENTIRE group.

Testament would have kept Louie on board but his heart was no longer in the band thirteen years ago. And, because of that, other drummers were recruited to fill in his shoes. That doesn't mean he sucks as a drummer.

Kudos to him to have returned with his "original" family! These guys have a strong bond together...it was only a matter of time. I knew someday he'd return. ROCK ON, LOUIE!!!

For your information I WAS AROUND to see Louie play and my feelings are the same regardless of your bullshit post. Louie is Testament's WORST drummer they've had.....bar none!

That being said I really like Lombardo and Johhny T, I think they fit Testament best.

 

[formaldehyde]

speaking no harm bout Louie, but you have to face the facts. Not everyone can be on the same level. There'll always be some guys that play better than others. Louie isn't a bad drummer, but you'll have to face the fact that there are better drummers. But don't forget, he still has it in him to do the stuff on stage. That's marvelous and deserves some respect.

maybe Louie's not a best drummer, he established what Testament are now...
he has no problems handling those old songs, as for post his era songs...i'm sure he can learn if he wants...he's not that bad, just plays straightfoward...

 

[Sharona]

For your information I WAS AROUND to see Louie play and my feelings are the same regardless of your bullshit post. Louie is Testament's WORST drummer they've had.....bar none!

That being said I really like Lombardo and Johhny T, I think they fit Testament best.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion...like assholes, everyone has one!

 

[soulflypl]

Louie deserves RESPECT.

At some point of his life he decided to give up drumming and started doing what he does now - which is running his shop with antics.

However, he decided to leave it for the TEN DAYS OF MAY - only after two weeks of practice - to give US the opportunity to tell the stories to OUR grand childreen that WE saw Testament original line-up. And he did very well. THANKS LOUIE

 

[Ramses-Bringer Of War]

I was just happy to see Louie behing the kit again back where he belongs. Sure, he ain't no (insert name of your favourite fast technical death/grind drummer here...), however I think therein the problem lies... some people just expect too much & are spoiled with listening to the newer bands who had to take the scene up a level to get noticed at the level Testament can do with ease. Now, it seems that sadly a lot of people so easily forget and end up dropping the ball with the older school, because a newer 'supposedly better' band comes along. It's quite disheartening for the general scene to say the least...

The band & Louie himself made no secret that he hadn't been playing for a while, which it was why he no doubt said, 'Look guys, I don't know if I can handle a full set in time for the shows - it's better to totally dominate on 6-7 songs, than slop over 12-14'. For this decision alone... I truly respect Louie & Testament as a band for remaining flexible about the idea of touring with Tempesta.

The performance I witnessed in London from the 'original' line-up, totally blew me away - and Louie kicked maximum ass from what I heard! I can't speak for his performance at any of the other recent shows, but in London he laid down the law as you'll witness when the DVD is released!

Who knows if Testament will continue with the reunion after these shows. One things for sure... I'm more than happy to see the old line-up back again & will continue to support them in their ascension.

As with everything in life - if you REALLY feel so strongly opposed to something a band does / doesn't do - don't be a complete hypocrite by wasting your hard earned money on their CD's, gigs & merchandise, and especially your time - to bitch about it on a forum...

Take yourself to fuck...

 

[amoker]

aye well said man. i agree with the idea that there is a new standard that everyone feels they need to live up too and this is the problem. when i listen to like, the new order or practice i think that his drumming MAKES the songs. but the thing is with those testament albums is that i feel that with every instrument, and thats somethin special ! i think some of the best drumming is the most basic because music is NOT about how complicated your parts are, its about whats best for the song! and having said that, listen to his drumming on the legacy its by no means basic anyway. i play drums, and he's one of my fav drummers :Spin: . if the drumming on practice for example, was all over the place and completely full out crazy shit like most drummers do now i think the songs would loose a lot of power and feel.

 

[one man]

God, I've lost my internet connection for a while and my long post has just vanished. So, in short: I've always been and I still am a fan of Louie and sustain the opinion that he was a big part of the band's success and am very thankful to him for letting Chuck talk him into participating in this historical tour, for taking his time to practice and for leaving his home and job to tour. He did very well and made me wonder what would have become of him as a drummer if he hadn't stopped playing after "The Ritual".

 

[xSUIxTOMMYx]

I must say I was impressed by Louie`s play during that 2 gigs I witnessed. Of cuz I was wondering is he gonna make it cuz that over-10-years absence might have had some impact on his shape and skills. And he did great job on stage. Simple.
Besides I guess that as far as the musical companions find him as a worthy player, we all should keep our mouth shut, at least those of us who can`t play drums at least on Louie`s level. I read the interview with Greg Christain in Polish Pure Metal magazine and he was asked about the ReUnion tour (before it started) and he said that he cant wait to play with Louie again because he`s always been great tempo-keeper and tight and it`s a pleasure to be his partner in rhythm section again.

PS. I bet most of you dont know but soulflypl and me have been making HPOE angry for quite long time by talking only good things about Louie and his playing

 

[Brentford Bob]

Saw/heard Louie at the London show and really don't see what the problem is/was. He fits the band perfectly.
Also saw him back in about 88 and he was cool then too!

Better than Lars anyway.
(But then who isn't?)

 

[formaldehyde]

u guys rule and Louie is da man !!

 

[ArnieB]

true. i was thinking about this the other day - i read somewhere that it was LOUIE who had wanted to get a band going, way back in the day. so i guess that makes him the founding member!!? (if that stuff i read was factually correct).

yes, that's what Louie says in the SBTL video... he wanted to have a metal band, he met Derek, then Eric, ...

 

[levi]

At this point I really dont care whos the drummer cause I know Eric and Chuck write great songs and can get awsome stuff out of people.

 

[estigma2001]

i´m a testament fan since new order days and i love every era ok but now testament has killer tunes like low, dog faced gods, fall of the sipledome, etc and i dream to see those songs live. thats my point

 

[Ramses-Bringer Of War]

No-one really knows if Testament will continue with the reunion indefinitely... However, I'm pretty sure that if they do / don't decide to stick with reunion, it's only gonna be a matter of time before they include their latter songs in their setlist with whatever version of Testament they choose to continue with.

I would have liked to have heard some of the post-Ritual songs on the reunion tour as well, but placing it in perspective, I think the whole buzz around the reunion, was to give the old & new fans a blast from the past. It seemed to come together at a moments notice, and I was pretty stoked with the outcome! I've seen them several times now, in various stages of incarnation & they've NEVER failed to deliver!

I look forward to the next chapter...

 

[hiddenlegions]

Louie deserves RESPECT.

Absolutely. I agree with alot of what is said in this post, and he is a good drummer. I've always liked his playing in the early days, and whoever said everyone is at different levels of playing is correct. Not everyone can be a Dave Lombardo, or a Raymond Herrera! And just because they're not, does not mean they are a crap drummer ! Alot of the people on the internet that critisize Louie so harshly can only dream of accomplishing what Louie has in so far as touring the world, playing monster size gigs, and recording classic records that will be played for years to come. I'd like to see these harsh critics pick up some drum sticks and try to play all the stuff Louie has written over the years, and play it to perfection, or even better, let's hear what you can play, and what you've accomplished musically! People who critisize him should seriously STFU and enjoy music for what it was meant to be for. All you armchair quarterbacks that hide behind the computer and talk shit about musicians for "sucking" or whatever are just miserable fucks. Go back to downloading porn in your parents house