TESTAMENT - SOULS OF BLACK 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Megaforce Records

Testament's "Souls of Black" (1990) pushed thrash metal's boundaries. The album blends relentless aggression with surprising melodic depth and hints of progressive influences. While still a thrash powerhouse, Testament proved the genre could mature and evolve. "Souls of Black" on vinyl offers a powerful listening experience thanks to its raw, warm sound.

Large quality photo of album front cover

"Souls of Black" Album Description:

Released in 1990, Testament's fourth album, "Souls of Black," solidified their place as titans of the thrash metal scene. This ten-track sonic assault on Megaforce Records delivered a potent blend of aggression and melody, showcasing the band's technical prowess and Chuck Billy's distinctive roar.

The late 80s and early 90s saw thrash metal push its boundaries. While many bands were content to repeat the formula of breakneck tempos and unrelenting aggression, Testament dared to expand their musical horizons. "Souls of Black" reflects a maturation of their sound, evident in a greater emphasis on melody and diverse songwriting.

The album opens with the pummeling "Beginning of the End," setting the tone for a whirlwind ride of thrashing riffs, double-kick drumming, and scorching guitar solos. Tracks like "Face in the Sky" and "Falling Fast" showcase the band's ability to weave intricate instrumental sections with catchy hooks, while "Souls of Black," the title track, is a mid-tempo anthem that embodies the album's thematic exploration of darkness and despair.

"Souls of Black" also features moments of unexpected melody. "Love to Hate" injects a dose of punk rock energy, and "The Legacy" offers a melancholic ballad that showcases Billy's vocal range. The album closes with the epic "Seven Days of May," a powerful track that reflects on the horrors of war.

Album Description & Collectors information:

 

 

"Souls of Black" is the fourth album by American Thrash metal band Testament, released in 1990. It preceded several changes in style to rather diverse styles of metal.

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Music Genre:

American Thrash Metal 

Album Production Information:

The album: "TESTAMENT - Souls of Black" was produced by: Michael Rosen and Testament

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Michael Rosen, Vincent "Bro" Wojno

This album was recorded at: Fantasy Studios, Berkeley California

Tom Coyne - Mastering Engineer

Uncover the Genius of Tom Coyne

Bob Defrin - Art Direction

Bob Defrin invites you to explore his legacy of iconic album artwork — visit his webpage now!

Album cover design: William Benson, Eric Peterson

Album cover photography: Hiro Iro

Record Label & Catalognr:

Megaforce 7567-82143

Album Packaging:

This album "TESTAMENT - Souls of Black" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year and Country:

 1990 Made in Germany
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: TESTAMENT - Souls of Black
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Chuck Billy - Vocals
  • Alex Skolnick - Guitars
  • Eric Peterson - Guitars (Eric Peterson (Guitars) together with his cousin "Derrick Ramirez " founder of the American Thrash Metal band: "Legacy", which will be later renamed into "Testament".)
  • Greg Christian - Bass
  • Louie Clemente - Drums (Louis Clemente is founder of the Testament band.)
Complete Track-listing of the album "TESTAMENT - Souls of Black"

The detailed tracklist of this record "TESTAMENT - Souls of Black" is:

    Track-listing:
  1. "Beginning of the End" (Eric Peterson) - 0:35
  2. "Face in the Sky" (Chuck Billy, Peterson, Alex Skolnick) - 3:53
  3. "Falling Fast" (Billy, Skolnick, Louie Clemente) - 4:05
  4. "Souls of Black" (Billy, Clemente, Peterson, Skolnick) - 3:22
  5. "Absence of Light" (Billy, Peterson, Skolnick) - 3:54
  6. "Love to Hate" (Billy, Clemente, Peterson, Skolnick) - 3:40
  7. "Malpractice" (Billy, Peterson, Skolnick) - 4:43
  8. "One Man's Fate" (Billy, Clemente, Peterson) - 4:49
  9. "The Legacy" (Billy, Clemente, Peterson, Skolnick) - 5:30
  10. "Seven Days in May" (Billy, Peterson, Skolnick) - 4:40
High Resolution Photo #1 testament souls of black

 Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).

Album Back Cover  Photo of "TESTAMENT - Souls of Black"
High Resolution Photo #2 testament souls of black
Inner Sleeve   of "TESTAMENT - Souls of Black" Album
High Resolution Photo #3 testament souls of black
Photo of "TESTAMENT - Souls of Black" Album's Inner Sleeve  
High Resolution Photo #4 testament souls of black
Photo of "TESTAMENT - Souls of Black" 12" LP Record
High Resolution Photo #5 testament souls of black
Close-up Photo of "TESTAMENT - Souls of Black" Record Label 
High Resolution Photo #6 testament souls of black

Testament: Four Decades of Politically Charged Thrash Metal.

TESTAMENT - The Legacy (Canadian and German Releases) 12" Vinyl LP
TESTAMENT - The Legacy album front cover vinyl record

In 1987, a storm erupted from the San Francisco Bay Area, changing the landscape of metal forever. Testament, a young and hungry thrash band, unleashed their debut album "The Legacy" upon the world, and it quickly became a revered classic

- The Legacy (1987, Canada) - The Legacy (1987, Germany)
TESTAMENT - Live at Eindhoven
TESTAMENT - Live at Eindhoven album front cover vinyl record

"Live at Eindhoven" serves as a potent snapshot of Testament during their formative years. The band had just released their debut album, the critically acclaimed 'The Legacy', and were rapidly solidifying their status

Live at Eindhoven 12" Vinyl EP
TESTAMENT - The New Order
TESTAMENT - The New Order album front cover vinyl record

The second album by American heavy metal band Testament, titled "The New Order", holds a significant place in the band's discography. Released on 10 May 1988, this album propelled Testament into the thrash metal mainstream

The New Order 12" Vinyl LP
TESTAMENT - Souls of Black
TESTAMENT - Souls of Black album front cover vinyl record

The album opens with the pummeling "Beginning of the End," setting the tone for a whirlwind ride of thrashing riffs, double-kick drumming, and scorching guitar solos. Tracks like "Face in the Sky" and "Falling Fast"

Souls of Black 12" Vinyl LP