Originally posted by NecromancerAlpha
well if it was up to who was the most skilled musicans, testament would esily win ouf of the bands you mentioned....
but we all know how little the public cares about tallent in popular music
-Necro
In a round-a-bout way Necro just hit the nail on the head here. I don't agree that Testament are necessarily more skilled than all the other bands mentioned in this thread, BUT, when it comes to the general "public" and "popular music" the other bands have all, at one stage or other, produced "public friendly" music which, in turn i'm sure, has both raised their respective profiles considerably and, of course, their bank balances. It would be prudent to exclude Slayer from this category however..lmao.. god forbid they ever produce public friendly fodder!
Overall it's quite an interesting subject as to why a band as great as Testament doesnt have the same apparent recognition as Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. Do they deserve it? Most definitely YES!! One thing i CAN say is...i'll buy their next album without hearing it first...a privilege Metallica and Megadeth (as great as they both have been) no longer have! Slayer are, and always have been a "kickass, no punches pulled, fuck you" band, and have my utmost respect. Anthrax kinda rerouted into a more alternative style years ago, while Testament rerouted into a more melodic death style with "Demonic" and the sensational "The Gathering".
You don't need to be Einstein to realize that GOOD music doesnt "sell". Take a look at the pulp on the charts and MTV etc. It's enough to make you puke, but it's been that way for years and it aint gonna change soon. Some bands "sell out" (good luck to 'em) and some don't. Personally i dont give a rats arse. If one favourite band disbands or sells out, there's plenty more bands playing just what i wanna hear and THATS what i'll buy!
Testament are officially MY favourite of these 5 bands, just ahead of Slayer, but all have achieved (at one stage or another) a certain level of greatness that is well deserved.