Legacy (1987) / Vinyl record [Vinyl-LP]

A classic thrash record that brings back memories of the 1980's tape trading scene. Testament is one of the classic thrash bands that emerged during the early 80's to take hard rock to another level. Often referred to as thrash back then, Legacy is a classic record with a sound, lyric content and visual that stands for its time period.Original thrash with a thick green vinyl, sounds great. The mix is good, lyric sheet, highly recommended for collectors or those just getting into the music from that time period.

The Legacy, Testament's epic thrash metal debut, might as well have come out yesterday, because every time I listen to it I feel like I'm hearing something fresh. Saying it has aged well is an understatement of criminal proportions. The Legacy hasn't merely aged well; it's still as relevant to the thrash genre as it was when it came out in 1987.From the opening gut-punching riff of "Over the Wall" to the chaotic conclusion of "Apocalyptic City," The Legacy tears into its audience with the ferocity of a diseased bengal tiger. As if the twin guitar attack of Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson isn't savage enough, Chuck Billy's sinister, snarling vocals are all but guaranteed to send the listener running for cover. Once Chuck unleashes that first, vibrant scream your fear will desist just long enough for you to wonder aloud, "how can a man that large go THAT high?"Before you can fully grasp what's happening to you when you put on The Legacy, the hypnotizingly melodic riff 2:32 into "Over the Wall" will draw you out of hiding so the wicked melody and mesmerizing verses of "The Haunting" can pummel you all over again. "Burnt Offerings" lets up momentarily; this track threatens to lure the listener to sleep with its haunting intro before shape-shifting (!) into a black thrasher about the occult.Fourth up, "Raging Waters" hits hard at breakneck speed. This track in particular showcases Steve "Zetro" Souza's (of Exodus fame) influence on The Legacy. Leaving Testament to join Exodus in 1986, Zetro contributed lyrics to six of the nine songs on the record before his departure, none of which are more characteristic of his style than "Raging Waters." Clocking in at 2:32, "C.O.T.L.O.D." (Curse of the Legions of Death) is barely on long enough for it to make an impact, but it executes five minutes of thrash in half the time. If there was ever a thrash song so fast that it could actually physically tire the listener, it's "C.O.T.L.O.D." I always find myself heavily winded if I dare to listen to it twice in a row."First Strike is Deadly" rips onto the scene next with a gruesome twin solo from Skolnick and Peterson and plenty of thrashy riffage to spare. If you're gasping for air at this point (I usually am), you're in trouble; at seventh spot "Do or Die" launches another blistering blitzkrieg attack, and it takes no prisoners. This track features incredible machine gun riffage and an intimidating vocal; indeed, every time Chuck Billy growls "I'm the hunter, you're my prey" I look over my shoulder to make sure he's not about to devour me.The last two songs on The Legacy are true gems. "Alone in the Dark" is a melodic masterpiece in which Souza's influence is distinctly audible. Skolnick's guitarwork on this song is infectious, groovy, and at times, pure evil. To close out this thrash-tastic record, we are treated to "Apocalyptic City," a song that can only be described as, you guessed it, apocalyptic. While the whole track is basically what genocide sounds like, the verse riff is especially nefarious. In short, there's a reason Testament has been playing this one live since 1987.I've already said so much about The Legacy, and yet I feel as if I've barely scratched the surface. Regarding the musicianship: The guitarwork is TIGHT. Skolnick and Peterson are talented, and they know it. There's a certain arrogance in the speed at which they play such complex riffs; I love every second of it. Enough cannot be said for the shredding solos, either. Skolnick's work is simultaneously so complex and so full of melody one cannot help but be hypnotized by it at times. Be warned, though: every time you close your eyes and start to drift off into Skolnick-melody-land, Chuck Billy is there to scream something horrible about burning, dying, demons, or murder into your ear.If anything negative can be said of The Legacy, it's that Greg Christian's bass is buried in the mix and it often feels like Louie Clemente is doing all he can just to keep up on the drums. Even so, though, I'm not sure I would respond well to a remaster- I like my 80s thrash rough, raw, and burned at the stake. The Legacy delivers on all counts.

should be in thrashes big 4. they have more good albums then most of the bands in that. the legacy aged well. it's as good as you remember. & if your just getting into 80's old school thrash; you can't go wrong with any testament album. they stayed heavy asf even on their albums to this day.

Probably one and the first landmark from this monsters, I will not go as far as to say it is their best work, but no one can deny how this album came to be one of the most remarkable albums for the genre.

Chuck Billy and the boys,nuff said

I love Testament because they just bring it!! I've worn out cassette I had of this album. Long live Testament!!! 👍👍👍

Remastering the first Testament album. great sound quality where you are heard. includes lyric

This is just Amazing