Why Testament Are Not Part Of The Big Four (W/ Alex Skolnick)

In this excerpt from the podcast, Alex Skolnick, the legendary guitarist from the metal band Testament, talks about the 'Big Four' of Thrash and why he thinks Testament are not there
You can find the full conversation by searching 'Basel Meets' on all podcasting apps.
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TW: Twitter.com/baselanabtawi

[@TheLassenman]

Testament has never got the "respect" or recognition they have deserved!! I love that band!

[@tyree9055]

King's X is in the same boat. They're not thrash, but just as good (perhaps even better) in some ways.

[@y_magaming9798]

Because testament was part of the second waves of bands that came out. The first being the likes of raven, Metallica, slayer, anthrax, exodus, possessed, and metadeth were already established bands.

[@TheLassenman]

@@y_magaming9798 And not let's not forget Flotsam and Jetsam. Another awesome band IMO.

[@deafworldstudios8644]

@@y_magaming9798Overkill tho predates them all.

[@y_magaming9798]

@@deafworldstudios8644 gonna be honest I hate overkill lol

[@zachi70]

For someone who is immensely talented as he is, I find it refreshing that he is so humble and down-to-earth. Such a great guy!

[@Metalbass10000]

I've met Alex twice and he was really a decent guy. I met Chuck Schuldiner at a show in Milwaukee, after the first band of the night ended their set, and he was waiting to go on. He sat down next to me at the bar downstairs and we talked for probably 35 to 40 minutes, missing the first couple songs of the next band, just talking about music, about musical instruments, about bringing different musical influences into metal, and then about politics and society and religion, and he was just a great guy to talk with about all these things. He was down to Earth, well informed on all these topics and I could tell that he had thought a lot about these things in arriving at his opinions and his point of view. We had a really great conversation, and I didn't even realize who I was having a conversation with until I saw him walk out on stage when Death came on to perform. I always thought that Chuck and Alex Skolnick would have made an incredible combination for a metal band, that brought Thrash and death and Progressive and Technical and melodic and Jazz and whatever the f*** else they wanted to bring in, but I always thought that those two combined would be a great combination. Just add a Rhythm Section worthy of those two guitars... ... They're both familiar with Hoglan and DiGiorgio....

[@nirvhannahgarden]

every friday night, he jams on instagram live (you know: because quarantine) and i've watched him twice so far. an absolute gentleman, just a really sweet guy.

[@jeremyswalley8625]

Most of us are human!!

[@skalamaz3]

One of my favorite guitarists ever, especially his work on The new order

[@KutaySococak]

Alex Skolnick is a guitar beast.

[@brandongardner7398]

He is one of the many students of the great Joe Satriani

[@garybeltrand5802]

I think he was out of the band for a short period at some point. I don't think I even bothered listening to the music they made without him. Maybe it was good, but Alex's guitar work was the best part of their sound for me. Guy's a genius.

[@MrKezzaRHCP]

@@garybeltrand5802 yeah that period deffo dips without him but they still whack out some punchy records that deffo fit with the time of the 90's but dont mello out too much. They are interesting to listen for just the "it's different factor". Very much hit or miss for sure.

[@garybeltrand5802]

@@MrKezzaRHCP I think I remember Chuck saying they were aiming at being more of a straight hard, fast, aggressive, heavy band like Pantera, who was popular at the time. Seemed to me like that would be going backwards for them. An ultra-talented musician like Alex would be held back by that approach imo. Listened to a couple of their new songs with Alex and they got a good balance of "thrash" but with some musical complexity also.

[@MrKezzaRHCP]

@@garybeltrand5802 yes! I've read/watched this somewhere! For me theres a couple tracks on the gathering, low, demonic that I like, but other than that not fussed. Dodnt skolnick join savatage during that time?

[@mitchsmix269]

To me, Testament is as unique if not more than any of the big four. Melodically they are incredible

[@moegreen5760]

Agreed. I started listening to them 20 years ago, and realized they stayed more true to thrash and over all a better band than Metallica

[@dang3740]

​@@moegreen5760 most definitely! Testament stuck to their roots and Metallica cheesed out😞

[@Brian-qg8dg]

Ok. But without Metallica, Slayer, Megdeth, and possible Anthrax, Testament would of been different. The influences were already there. Now, Exodus could be a big 4 type, but the record company issues delayed Bobded by blood. By time it came out, the sound already changed.... Metallica was onto ride the lightning, anthrax had among the living, etc etc.. exodus was the 1st popular thrash deal. Then after Bobded By blood, it got goofy. Then they got good years later

[@mitchsmix269]

@@Brian-qg8dg testament and metallica were coming up at the same time, so the same point goes the other way. Without testament metallica would have been different. Those bands all influenced each other, and it really doesnt change my point

[@IJFlores]

They are the “big four” for a reason: they were the first “underground” thrash bands to sign with a Major record label. Metallica with Elektra Slayer with DefJam Megadeth with Capitol Anthrax with Island No other band did this before them. So it’s not a matter of someone’s personal choice.

[@guyinpajamapants6892]

Exodus?

[@IJFlores]

Guyinpajamapants - Exodus did not sign with a major record label until 1990

[@bumpyroad3251]

@@IJFlores Overkill?

[@IJFlores]

@@bumpyroad3251 - ‘87

[@sinisajelicic3875]

you forgot the exodus?????????????????????

[@overkill1025]

Exodus, Testament, Overkill, Death Angel --the little four

[@toddy168]

Exactly

[@mtwata]

Or the best four haha

[@mariopalos9238]

9 thru 12 - Annihilator, Helloween, Grim Reaper, and Sepulchura

[@twimine]

thats funny!!

[@Miist3rDuce1]

​@@mariopalos9238 Helloween and grim reaper are not thrash, dummy

[@seamusnalaoch6409]

Alex Skolnick, Michael Schenker and Scott Gorham -- three guitarists who should receive far more credit than they do.

[@RafireRocksNRules]

Vito Bratta

[@allandnothing5987]

@@RafireRocksNRules Fk yeah.

[@akidk1499]

What about Becker, Friedman, Uli Roth

[@Flying_turnip187]

Hit that on the nose man!! 🤘

[@Martina-mt8ms]

Jeff Waters!!

[@Metalbass10000]

I've met Alex twice and he was really a decent guy. I met Chuck Schuldiner at a show in Milwaukee, after the first band of the night ended their set, and he was waiting to go on. He sat down next to me at the bar downstairs and we talked for probably 35 to 40 minutes, missing the first couple songs of the next band, just talking about music, about musical instruments, about bringing different musical influences into metal, and then about politics and society and religion, and he was just a great guy to talk with about all these things. He was down to Earth, well informed on all these topics and I could tell that he had thought a lot about these things in arriving at his opinions and his point of view. We had a really great conversation, and I didn't even realize who I was having a conversation with until I saw him walk out on stage when Death came on to perform. I always thought that Chuck and Alex Skolnick would have made an incredible combination for a metal band, that brought Thrash and death and Progressive and Technical and melodic and Jazz and whatever the f*** else they wanted to bring in, but I always thought that those two combined would be a great combination. Just add a Rhythm Section worthy of those two guitars... ... They're both familiar with Hoglan and DiGiorgio....

[@cxn8]

A Skolnick, Schuldiner, Hoglan, DiGorgio lineup would probably produce the best thrash/death metal album ever made.

[@Moshbearpig]

Chuck Billy is like a fine wine, he gets better with age.

[@elliotrudd1265]

Yeah!!! His old stuff on the first 5 albums was very good, but then we got his death metal side on 6-8, and now he's found a great way to mix the styles, so Titans of creation is a masterpiece vocal work from Chuck

[@laurentdupont-gagnon7889]

@1banana2kiwis both

[@allandnothing5987]

@@cs3192 you would know..pee connoisseur

[@Leatherfacet]

Low was the turning point for him. Extremely underrated growls.

[@Brian-qg8dg]

It's strange.. but billy and the band sound so good when playing songs from the 1st record. Wow, that original recording sounded bad, and it's should not of, it was like 1987 already, not 1984

[@heinhobein1482]

For me, Alex Skolnick is without a doubt one of the greatest influences of metal guitarists in rock history, not only for how he plays but also for how he composes. I love this guy!

[@43captrexkramer]

So true, when you hear a guy with the neoclassical influences you pick it up right away and then listen to someone like Alex or Chris Poland with a jazz background the phrasing is just different and you think wow what a really cool nuance to add to that line.

[@geirholte1222]

He`s right, and I`m a huge Testament fan. If the Big 4 was just about quality, Testament would deserve a spot.

[@boomsticken701]

if u knew, what i know... u wouldnt say such things.. alex is a p.o.s

[@geirholte1222]

@@boomsticken701 If he is; how does that change that Testament is a great fucking band? Many bands have assholes in them.

[@kotakidd2653]

Mustaine,Skolnick, & Waters are the reason's why I play guitar!

[@landinization]

What a great list to take your influences from. I would add Chuck Schuldiner and that’s my guitar four horseman lineup, with an honorable mention to John Petrucci.

[@kotakidd2653]

@Maximilian Cady Jeff Beck guitar style is fuck'N insane! I only wish to be that fuck'N good! I remember the 1st time I heard Behind The Veil & I was like what the fuck is that? Holy shit! Incredible!

[@kristopherthomas7166]

I started playing guitar in 1988 and Alex was my favorite. I loved Testsment way more than anything the Big 4 were doing. Obviously every musician in the big 4 were undeniably ground breaking but Testament did what the big 4 did as good or better than they did. Practice What You Preach is one of the most important records to me in my own personal evolution as a musician. That’s not to take anything away from the big 4. It just goes to prove Testament was in a league of their own. I’d also say something similar about Sepultura and Ministry in similar but distinct ways. Anyway, I love you Alex Skolnick. You’ve given me so much to learn from and play with as a musician.

[@warrencantero]

it's a Crime... Testament is one of the greatest Thrash or Metal bands of ALL TIME!!

[@gurdmlb666]

I agree 💯👏🤘🤘🤘

[@rockmatersforeverallnitean3210]

Agree

[@T.R.R.Jolkien]

Death Angel rules! 😎

[@m2pmd70]

Testament is great, but they kinda got disregarded (unfairly?) by some early on as a "Metallica ripoff." I've been a fan since I first heard "Over the Wall." \m/

[@warrencantero]

and Mr. Skolnick has the tastiest and most memorable solos EVER..

[@psihopedia]

This guy is a model of integrity, modesty, and talent, and he's telling us that it's not just about rivalry, frustration, overcompensation, and narcissism, it's also about love for music and self-improvement, he doesn't even need that kind of narcissistic validation of being in "the big 4". I think Testament and Skolnick are examples of how you can explore your musical interest for the sake of it. Yes, they deserve much more recognition but sometimes you have to learn to live with adverse reality, and maybe that makes you a more valuable human being.

[@brandongardner7398]

What about Exodus? I think that Exodus started at the same time as Metallica did.

[@rockmatersforeverallnitean3210]

Angelripper Witchhunter yeah you are right they don’t deserve to be included I mean they are good but not as testament is

[@michaelhudson2912]

@Angelripper Witchhunter because it's the BIG four and those were the four BIGGEST thrash bands. It's not rocket science. If you go by influence and importance, then yeah Exodus should be in over Anthrax. Testament came in too late and were a little too derivative of what came before to be first-tier.

[@whataboutrob442]

I could see Anthrax being removed, but they have a unique sound that the others don't have.

[@mepatrik1]

@Angelripper Witchhunter You clearly haven't seen them live, if you say this. They are killer, as good as Slayer.

[@mepatrik1]

@john bush Strongly disagree. Belladonna, Ian, and Benante are all top notch.

[@RowdyGrunt]

Awesome human being. I’ve listened to him from the start of his career, and he’s probably my top guitarist. HeHe’s such a nice guy that he took some time out on Twitter to have a brief political back-and-forth with a little nobody like me. We disagreed but he was awesome in how he chose to disagree. I wish we had more people like him with the civility that is part of his soul in this world.

[@jvogele7190]

There are some things to remember about how the "Big 4" got to where they are and were back then: Anthrax and Megadeth put out early career music videos; Ozzy took Metallica out on tour as an opener; Slayer had the Rick Rubin connection.

[@RabidRavenTV]

The Big 4 are called that because they are by far the biggest and most well known, back in the 80's and still today. Almost everyone who has any interest in music has heard of those bands, while not many people outside of the metal scene have heard of Testament and the others. In 1988 I was 8 years old and I knew all the big 4 bands but didn't know any other thrash bands. That's why it's those 4 bands.

[@outis439-A]

That’s not true. Testament have sold more albums than Anthrax

[@gabolujan]

Kreator and Testament have been the best from the old school thrash bands for the last 15 to 20 years. Especially Kreator puts out masterpiece after masterpiece, and it doesn't seem like they will stop.

[@ploppyploppy]

I loved 86 - I remember buying Master of Puppets and Reign in Blood as soon as they were out. I didn't know then that they'd be the best albums both groups ever produced (my opinion). Among the Living next year cemented Anthrax and we were already listening to Megadeth from the start. I agree with Alex - although I think they should be 'now' - at the time until The Legacy came out they weren't really on a lot of radars. They are a great band though as are all the others. Went to see Slayer and Anthrax last year and was unfortunate that Testament didn't join them in Europe but I remember seeing Anthrax supported by Testament in 1987 or 88 (I forget which). That's when I realised just how polished and great Testament were. Obviously we knew Exodus stuff but I just don't think they were as well received as the 'Big Four' - Kreator as well had a great 86 with Pleasure to Kill but, like Exodus, there seemed to be a lot of people only really into Anthrax, Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. Anyway all that rambling is just my opinion and memory of the time.

[@anthonyrivers1619]

Me too, I was 16 in '86...don't forget Peace Sells!

[@markw2444]

There should be a second big 4 - Testament, Exodus, Overkill and Kreator

[@zombiTrout]

Mark W Those were the same four I would pick.

[@holgerhahn8615]

That´s why it is 4, and not the Big 123!

[@galenmarek8287]

Death Angel?

[@elmeme88]

Kreator is in the The Big Teutonic 4 along with Sodom, Destruction and Tankard

[@Goryptor]

Death Angel instead of Kreator (for obvious reasons). They basically recorded one of the best thrash metal records ever.

[@bswihart1]

I was introduced to Testament and Heathen at the same time and both were recorded on a tape, I instantly went out and bought both copies. I loved both of these thrash bands!!

[@Off-The-X]

Classy. Massive respect. He knows his place and is very humble.

[@Beermaker2000]

A friend of mine went to music school in NYC in the 2000s for jazz and Alex Skolnick was a classmate.

[@666miyuru]

Yes for sure. I've always thought of them as "The Six Pack" as opposed to the more innocuous and restricted term "The big four" which excludes the likes of pioneers mainly Exodus and Testament; both of them being very crucial to the 80's thrash metal scene and therefore just as significant in its early development.

[@quakeranger]

I was lucky enough to meet the guys at a hotel after their show. They were all tired, had to rest before their flight on 4am... but they all entertained us fans with joy... Wow, they are so so humble and fun to be with. Taking pictures and signed autographs. Thanks so very much to TestAmenT for making your fans an unforgettable experience 🤘🏻❤️👍🏼

[@tatt4music]

Why is anyone wondering why Testament isn’t part of the big 4? The real question is why isn’t Exodus on it? As the man himself said (skolnick) they shouldn’t be part of it.

[@MVProfits]

My answer was : because they came after the Big Four were already big... and Skolnick says exactly that. All class. Of course 35 years later, this is muddled, but that's the reason why.

[@jcoverpass]

tatt4music Overkill were better than Testament anyway. Shit, Suicidal Tendencies were better than Testament.

[@oyhe94]

That may be down to the delay of releasing Bonded By Blood. The record was finished in july 84, but stayed unreleased for almost a year before being released in april 85.

[@michaelhassler7446]

Both Testament and Exodus are in the Big 8, with Death Angel. But Kreator wasn't, but Kreator is the #1 German thrash band.

[@jcoverpass]

@@michaelhassler7446 Kreator was one of my favorite bands of that time. I always thought they were something different. Like how Death was different. I wasn’t familiar with labels like black metal or death metal. There was Lock and Stock Thrash and Grindcore that made themselves unmistaken and Overkill were one of those greats. It wasn’t u til 90 or 91 that I came to understand what Death metal and black metal and industrial metal and all of the other terms. The first thing I thought was.... ok Kreator have an entire Genre of music and so does Death!

[@Metalbass10000]

The band that really belongs with those, "big four," Thrash bands, is Exodus. They were there at that time, influencing others, opening doors, and the guitar riffs on those first albums were just SO powerful, so mean, so fitting of the guitar tone that Gary and Rick used. They had the darkness of Slayer without using chromatics everywhere, they where as technical and proficient as anyone else, but never sounded like technical for the sake of being technical.

[@evilevie87]

​@metalhead6526 Yet Anthrax is in the big four and they changed singers after their first record too.

[@valf208]

the big 4 was basically a metallica tour with 3 opening acts ,they said 90 % of audiance were there for metallica

[@somethingelse04]

Not true

[@renatobianchi3060]

Great guitar player, learned a lot from his columns in guitar magazines.

[@gavrosaurus]

A true virtuoso, so inventive and creative guitarist. A hero.

[@danzemacabre8899]

The big four, just a timing thing, those four bands broke out and paved the way, if anything, Exodus belongs as the fifth band if any band does.

[@chrisw5742]

More like they are Hollywood actors propped up.

[@willd4731]

Ummm No.

[@zombiematt2006]

My understanding the big 4 term was coined because they were the first 4 signed to major labels.

[@vorpalblades]

Exodus always had weak vocals.

[@Charvel1980]

No offense to Basel, but the question of why Testament is not part of the Big 4, is a silly one. I was listening to thrash back in the mid 80s, and lived through this time. If anything, the bands Exodus and Overkill would probably beat Testament into the mix based on seniority too (even though I like Testament better, but that's irrelevant)... but perhaps that was the interviewers way of gaining points :) Also, there should be no surprise over the Van Halen influence. People should remember that the earlier thrash bands didn't grow up on thrash (well, obviously), and therefore their early influences are going to naturally be more traditional metal and rock.

[@paulhaynes561]

Joe Maldonado i agree bro - exodus

[@ElmerEscoto]

Joe Maldonado I agree. I would pick Exodus over Anthrax any time.

[@RChB]

Elmer D. Escoto R. No way, Exodus instead of Megadeth in that case, most overrated band ever..

[@RChB]

Joe Maldonado maybe just technically a little, but I'm not talking about that.

[@ruysk]

@Joe Maldonado Completely agree. Megadeth grows on you the more you listen to them and i think a big part of that is because of the skill of the musicians.

[@panchom0311]

How true, so down to earth & pleasant person you will ever meet, none other than Alex Skolnick.....

[@Drewnonymous]

Very humble, awesome guy & guitarist 🤘

[@davidnissim589]

There should be a second Big 4 consisting of Exodus, Testament, Overkill, and Death Angel.

[@elliotrudd1265]

There is, but it's got Kreator instead of death angel, which is understandable. Kreator is and always has been the mainstay of germanic thrash

[@stringplayer999]

The Medium 4

[@niallbyrne2680]

The big 4 may not be the best thrash bands out there but they're sure as hell better than Overkill, Exodus, Testament and Death Angel, the bands everyone talks about as the alternative big 4. These bands are really overrated and are only well known because they are from the Bay Area/NY same as the original big 4. They are the most derivative of the original big 4 and became really boring after releasing strong debut albums. So many better thrash bands came along other than this medium/mediocre 4 that actually innovated and pushed the sound forward - Dark Angel, Holy Terror, Forbidden, Exhorder, Sepultura, Believer, Annihilator, Suicidal Tendencies, Prong to name a few.

[@Peterplayingguitar]

Alex is right IMO. The "big four" bands were the first four thrash bands that were well known and successful in 82/83/84. With the exception of Exodus. Exodus had the popularity and notoriety but no debut album. Even Tom Araya said that Slayer were influenced by Exodus when Slayer started first saw them live. If Bonded by Blood had come out earlier than Kill 'Em All, wow it would have been a different world. Those albums are almost exactly a year apart.

[@estetty7609]

Kill 'em All 25.7.1983 Bonded by Blood 25.4.1985 although recorded in July 1984

[@hinjurock]

2 years apart. KEA was released in '83 - BBB came out in '85.

[@headshot217]

Kill Em Alls still better imo

[@kkoch666]

The world would be the same, Metallica would have still been on top.

[@Miist3rDuce1]

@@headshot217 it's okay I agree with you

[@DizGuys]

One of the greatest guys from the best music scene in the world.

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

In my opinion Testament has never released one bad album ever. I love all their studio albums including Demonic ,The Ritual, and Souls Of Black alot. Their latest album Titans Of Creation is another MASTERPIECE!! They are one of the most consistent bands I have ever listened to. This current lineup is PHENOMENAL!! Every member in this group is Amazing!!! I have been a huge massive fan of theirs since The New Order album came out at barely 10 years old. I have seen them live many times and every time they put on a great show. I am really hoping to see them again soon when they tour for the new album.

[@jason-ian-Van-Sloten]

People need to stop 'grading' guitarists. Its stupid and childish. One guitarist is tech freak the other shines because he's original. So thats that. Stop that childish crap.

[@whataboutrob442]

Correct!

[@thestuffmikedoes2309]

I’m confused-isn’t your statement just another form of “grading?”

[@tehfawkinman]

The Stuff Mike Does His point is that they're great on their own merits, that they have their own kicks that make them great.

[@galenmarek8287]

It all boils down to preference, they all have their qualities.

[@Charvel1980]

@Comicbookstoreguy177 He really is. In the early days of thrash, there were not many "virtuoso" players in the genre... there were decent players, but not many "shredders." Alex was one of the earlier guitarists in thrash that was a true shredder, with monster lead chops.

[@NNight-uh3kt]

If you were going to add anyone, it would have to be Exodus.

[@olafvanrijnsbergen1177]

Honestly you could make a case for a lot of bands to be in the big 4 of thrash. Obviously Testament and Exodus come to mind. But even the big guys in Europe, Sodom and Kreator. Or hell, even Sepultura is up there

[@pedropassos6627]

@@olafvanrijnsbergen1177 in germany they have their own big 4, that is kreator, sodom, destruction and tankard

[@pedropassos6627]

but in brazil, the 80s scene was more about blackened stuff, just listen to early Sepultura (morbid visions and schizofrenia), Sarcófago, Chakal, Psychic Possessor, Sextrash, The Mist, etc

[@rolandfilo540]

definitely bro....

[@bflo1000]

Then how about the Big 6?

[@jasonrackawack9369]

I wish it had worked out with Alex when he was in Savatage and did a few more albums with them. He is so great at writing melodic solos that are like a bonus song within a song.

[@bozboz4414]

I was HUGE Testament fan then i stumbled upon Master of Puppets by accident & it was all over for me

[@AlexSkolnick-ok4ub]

Hello are you also one of my fans/supporters out there?

[@twikirobot6897]

It is the FIRST four breakout bands - not for any other reason.

[@TempleOfBloodBand]

Nope. Because Exodus were playing thrash before Anthrax. Probably before Megadeth too.

[@twikirobot6897]

@@TempleOfBloodBand Nope my ass. Didn't matter when they "played Thrash". Do you know what 'breakout' means?

[@TempleOfBloodBand]

@@twikirobot6897 I do. I think instead of "break out" a more accurate description would be "highest selling". Exodus were a west-coast break out star among metalheads way before Anthrax, atthough in the end Anthrax ended up selling more units.

[@twikirobot6897]

@WashingtonIsNext I doubt it....I was there, I know how it went down.

[@davorbrijacak]

@WashingtonIsNext Are you and TempleOfBloodBand guy owners of some gay gloryhole establishment?

[@troytromwell]

Testament came a bit later. "The Big 4" is just a nice and easy way to sum it up but Ideally it should be The Big 5 including Exodus.

[@fredsmith5925]

Exodus wasn’t big.

[@jackburton7483]

@@fredsmith5925 Not in sales, but in influence and sound, they helped start the 80's bay area thrash movement. Hammett started off in Exodus.

[@Gregbaltzer]

@@jackburton7483 But Exodus was one of those bands that never topped their first album. They only ever pushed themselves to write next level songs once eg. Architect of Pain. I have the same issue with Testament, they never progressed to writing those next level songs. They have no grand opus.

[@maximpopov199]

Hail to Alex and the guys of Testament 🤘

[@multimandan]

Alex Skolnick is an absolute genius!

[@unicornsteaks6769]

Because they're fifth or sixth. Mustaine likes to say "The Big 5" and include Exodus as one of the best bands of the scene.

[@vorpalblades]

Mustaine never shuts the fuck up.

[@khepera7913]

Dope Steve's Music Store shirt!!

[@jamesbaker7476]

Most underrated band ever there awesome alex is my favorite guitarist

[@admirmahmutovic2125]

Alex skolnick is just so much of a humble guy he knows that testament should’ve been the big 5 he’s just so nice guy

[@sharpsh00ter619]

that's the opposie of humility

[@jeffreyfreeman4843]

Because they weren’t as popular. Simple as that.

[@daoyang223]

Skolnick was always a sick guitarist

[@laurentdupont-gagnon7889]

now they are rly popular almost like anthrax and megadeth

[@IREMEMBERNOW]

They were t as popular, your right.. but there better than all 4 of them. Best thrash band IMO. They were late to the party but there isn’t a bad record in there discography.the band considered “the best” of these 4 by many haven’t released a worthwhile record since 1991. Put that Into perspective

[@LadyAxe13]

Yeah, 'cause as we all know by today's 'standards' it proves that popularity does not equal talent.

[@ItsMeScareCro]

The question is why is Anthrax considered part of the big four? I like them, but don't think they're quite all that compared to...

[@vorpalblades]

The Big 4 were the first to be signed to major labels. It's not the Best 4.

[@SolomonIsGod1]

Respect to Alex! amazing guitarist

[@newwavepop]

i was in highschool from 86 to 90 and i was head deep submerged in the thrash scene. i actually had quite a large group of friends and peers, there were usually a good 20 of us at all times hanging out together, going to shows together, riding around packed like sardines in 2 or 3 cars together. and thats not counting all the other friends and quaintness we would always meet up with or run into anywhere we went. in those time we always had Metallica os Slayer or Megadeath or Nuclear Assualt or Sacred Reich or Overkill or SOD or Suicidal or DRI or Kreator or Vio-lence or DEATH or any other number of bands blasting. but with all those bands we were listening to and all those people i knew, no one, NONE of us were ever listening to Anthrax. ive never understood how they got in the big four, ive always thought it should be the big three. Nuclear Assault were my personal favorite band back then , but if i had to pick a band to be part of the big 4 or 5 or whatever it would probably have been Overkill before it would have been Anthrax. as far as Testament go, dont get me wrong they are a good band and great musicians but i would say they arent the big five because there is just a lack of really good material.

[@AlexSkolnick-ok4ub]

Hello are you also one of my fans/supporters out there?

[@mydayis5]

The other 4 were much bigger......simple! Although Testament are one of the ‘best’ 4. No doubt! (never much of an Anthrax guy)

[@johnsanchez9980]

Tom Never understood the Anthrax appeal either..When across the River in New Jersey Over Kill were a much heavier and brutal band.

[@ryanstucke7811]

Anthrax is shit awful

[@pohsibkcirrag6312]

1st time I saw anthrax was with public enemy. I thought to myself wtf is this garbage. Didn't listen to anything else they put out. I figured they were a joke band.

[@531ff]

I think Anthrax is over-hyped but to each is own .

[@michaelhassler7446]

I've seen Anthrax several times, nothing to write home about, but good to listen to. I prefer them to Metallica, but definitely not Megadeth or Slayer.

[@derekgilbert1752]

b miller I think they’re resting on nostalgia. When John Bush was singing, the made some of the best, underrated albums. When Joey came back, I was like “whatcha doing guys...?”

[@joeyhandeland983]

No way. This is not true. They were better live, and more exciting then the other 3. Watch any of their live shows and you can obviously see they had 10 times more energy.

[@michaelhassler7446]

Jumping around? It's not gymnastics.

[@joeyhandeland983]

@@michaelhassler7446 That's your opinion.

[@andrewmachado6988]

Pretty cool of Alex to be rocking the Steve’s Music t-shirt (Steve’s is a well known music instrument store in Toronto, Ontario).

[@inavbanz8876]

Ottawa too

[@Russian5]

Compliment to the interviewer (not familiar with him, sorry). Your style really showed genuine interest (almost naivety, in a positive way) while also coming across professional - really enjoyed it.

[@AlexSkolnick-ok4ub]

Hello are you also one of my fans/supporters out there?

[@hinjurock]

All of you fools dissing Anthrax apparently haven't heard Among The Living - it's a thrash metal masterpiece. Every fan of that genre was blown away when that album was released. And Megadeth barely qualifies as thrash - they don't even have that many fast songs. Having jazzy drums and guitar solos may be cool and interesting, but those things aren't what makes for a great thrash band.

[@tobiascrow2792]

Anthrax musically should belong "musically speaking" at the top of "The Small 4"

[@Gregbaltzer]

I love Anthrax, Spreading the Disease being my favorite. If you look back over their entire discography they're the most consistent when it comes to putting out good albums. I understand what you're saying about Megadeth. They have some Thrash moments, but you could honestly fit Megadeth more into speed Metal. I even feel Metallica and Anthrax's first albums were more Speed Metal. The first Metallica album that felt really thrash to me was Ride the Lightening. But even none of Megadeth, Metallica, or Anthrax's 90's stuff is thrash.

[@hinjurock]

@@Gregbaltzer The genre was actually called speed metal when the first Metallica and Anthrax albums were released in 1983. I bought both shortly after they came out. The term "thrash metal" didn't become widely used until mid-to-late '84.

[@Gregbaltzer]

@@hinjurock But there is a difference between thrash and speed metal though. The term thrash may have come later but there is a distinct difference in the styles. Maybe not as obvious at first as thrash really hadn't developed it's own identity, same as it took a while for Death metal to evolve out of it thrash origins, Speed metal is really just sped up traditional heavy metal. Thrash metal is traditional heavy metal crossed with hardcore punk and is oven angrier and more aggressive as a result. Speed metal doesn't usually incorporate the angst of hardcore punk in the sound.

[@hinjurock]

@@Gregbaltzer Yes, I'm aware of all that - as I said, I bought Kill 'Em All, Fistful Of Metal and Show No Mercy shortly after each album was released and I grew up in the thrash metal and hardcore punk scenes in LA and went to many shows. Unlike most metal fans these days, I actually lived that scene as opposed to learning about it through magazines and the internet.

[@darkestdarker3726]

Alex is probably better than any of the big 4 guitarists, but Testament, with all due respect, cannot compete with the big 4 discographies...

[@burgerbob7324]

Mr Friedman would like a word.

[@darkestdarker3726]

@@burgerbob7324 Mr Friedman is why I said "probably"... ;)

[@matthewguarna2975]

And like any other guitarist in megadeth too (at least Kiko, Poland and Broderick)... But imho people underestimate Dave Mustaine cause he almost quitted lead playing to become a frontman... Imho he's just as good the same, skill wise and composition wise

[@bkb757]

@@matthewguarna2975 Even though I am a lead guitarist myself, I have no problems saying that Dave Mustaine is one of if not my favorite guitarist. He's a genius :)

[@Miist3rDuce1]

@@darkestdarker3726 no he isn't

[@IronDuke_xX]

Exodus and Overkill are OG's and the respect they and Testament have with true fans speaks for itself.

[@Saiyan585]

You can't expect to be in the big 4 when your debut album came out in 87. The band has also gone through like 17 members.

[@sega62s]

He is wearing a Steve's music store shirt, from Montréal...by the way Sheldon the manager just passed away from cancer last january...

[@younggod2319]

I know that place!

[@75lordfisch]

Sheldon gave my son the same t-shirt Alex is wearing...made me jealous...

[@sega62s]

75lordfisch lucky he gave it, usually they sale them unless you bough a Gibson 😉, i did buy a Gibson Lp custom back in 1982, got it for apprx $1200 and Steve himself gave me a deal and told me to take good care of it, got a free shirt and ended up changing the LP for a Takamine 12 strings...the salesman at the store asked me "you really want to to this?" yep I regret it s little hahahahaha

[@jean-yvesfournier7100]

Why is the interviewer acting all surprised because Skolnick says he prefers the DLR helmed version of Van Halen? I mean come on, does anyone over 50 year old really prefer Van Hagar?

[@michaelhassler7446]

No, they rocked way harder in the DLR era.

[@jean-yvesfournier7100]

@@michaelhassler7446 Exactly!

[@heidiheidiho6412]

Love this guy when he plays jazz.

[@johnknouse8846]

Practice what you preach NEVER left the tape deck of my Camaro!

[@micharekosiewicz8660]

Honestly having Anthrax in 'Big four' is a joke. There should be a 'Big three' with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth. Anyone else in thrash metal genre was lighyears behind them.

[@WittyName44]

I agree with this. And I personally would have added Testament before Anthrax, if it was my choice, and I had to add a fourth.

[@CatCaregiver-ie1ej]

100% agree.

[@ophhate]

Hell nah its that ny york thrash from that the san fran people werent used. More fun and really mosh worthy. I think they are perfect where they are.

[@barfvader591]

Overkill instead of anthrax.

[@CatCaregiver-ie1ej]

Metallica and Slayer are the originators. Both of them had debuts in 83, before the others. Both of them had excellent albums out before the awesome year of 1986. Ride the Lightning and Hell Awaits were both S+ tier albums before any other thrash band had any. Megadeth makes the cut because Mustaine was a founding and influential member of Metallica.

[@Bravo-ry9st]

More hits = more recognition. Tell me what hits are known outside of metal that Testament wrote? Destruction & Sodom are my favorite, but they are not known like the headliners.

[@overkill1025]

you are saying the big four put out non-metal hits, and that is why they are popular? which slayer ballad was a hit?

[@Bravo-ry9st]

@@overkill1025 , where did I mention "ballads"? If I had a penny for every preppy dumbass that told me they liked "Angel of death", "One", "Caught in a mosh" or any song from Megadeath... The point is these bands became mainstream while Testament could not even overtake bands like Sepultura or Death which are still more prominent.

[@KardboardKenny]

if not for the anthrax letter bs, no normie would have ever heard of anthrax.

[@KardboardKenny]

@@Bravo-ry9st your point is invalid. if you cant spell "Megadeth", you should go back to your boybands.

[@Bravo-ry9st]

@@KardboardKenny , you are an idiot and your childish response proves your ability to provide valid feedback on this context. Go ahead, respond again with more stupidity. We all need a good laugh.

[@robertburch1998]

I like your interview style and your studio environment. Have you ever considered bringing King Fowley and Deceased in for an interview? I would love to see that.

[@thesentinelsfootballchanne3212]

True Story: I'm at the San Francisco show of the Anthrax/Testament co-headlining tour in 2011. It went Death Angel opening, then Testament, then Anthrax to close it out. I got there just as Death Angel were finishing their set and they were moshing. BUT, Testament blew everyone out of the water that night. It was almost like it was a vendetta to show the east coast thrash bands you've got nothing on the Bay Area thrash metal scene. Anthrax put together a bad set-list of their hits. Testament was playing deep cuts. They started the show with "The Preacher" and ended with "Disciples of the Watch". Everyone was exhausted. Even the people in the circle pits were. Anthrax gets on and the crowd isn't into the songs as much as he thinks they should be. Scott Ian notices this and said something like "What the fuck SF? Come on, where's the Bay Area thrashers at?" Alot of us hoped that Anthrax would include more stuff from their first 3 records instead of the 90s stuff. Luckily for them, Kirk Hammett came to the show that night and jammed with them on a few songs which was the only real highlight. TESTAMENT showed Anthrax what THRASH sounds like from start to finish. And in my opinion, they are worthy of the spot that Anthrax has taken in the Big Four.

[@PotawatomiThunderNew]

This is such a stupid discussion. I don’t mean what’s being said in the video, but the whole Big Four discussion where people ask why is this band not in the Big Four? Why is that band not in the Big Four? Why isn’t it the Big Five with such and such band included? etc. - Because the Big Four are the four biggest Thrash bands. Hence they are called the Bug Four. It’s not hard to understand. Bands like Testament have not reached that level of appeal. If they did, then they’d probably be included too. But they didn’t, so they’re not. That’s all there is to it. And this is not to discredit Testament in anyway because I love Testament. They haven’t reached the level of the Big Four but they’re still pioneers. And I’m extremely proud of Chuck Billy. I’m Native American too, and it makes me proud to see one of my people as the frontman of a pioneer Thrash band.

[@patrickcollier9393]

I think testament should’ve been a part of it before anthrax.

[@sharpsh00ter619]

BIG four. BIG, not great or legendary or a band that you love, I know it breaks your heart but they need to be BIG.

[@patrickcollier9393]

mega motor which is why I’m saying I don’t get why anthrax is big. Testament is a better band.

[@laurentdupont-gagnon7889]

@Rage Theatre2020 wrong

[@Miist3rDuce1]

@@patrickcollier9393 no they aren't, and if Anthrax doesn't deserve to be in big 4, then neither does testament

[@Mr.H0LLYW00D]

You can put their first two albums up against any of the big four, they hold up and are definitely classics.

[@Druffmaul]

I got into punk in 1982, I was 13. In 1985 I became friends with these three hesher dudes at my high school, and they made it their mission to get me into speed metal. They succeeded and was into thrash for years. Hell, I still love it. All I can say is, back then, EVERYONE in my scene knew Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. Some people knew Anthrax. Only the coolest people knew stuff like Exodus and Celtic Frost etc. NOBODY knew Testament. At least, I never heard a single person mention them, ever. And this was in SoCal in a majorly hopping scene, these were not out of the loop yokels. Testament simply was not popular at all. I never even heard of them until Practice What You Preach came out... and I thought it sounded like a Metallica/Megadeth rip off. Not bad... just very derivative. Later I went back and listened to their previous records and liked them more.

[@jeaniehiltz5065]

I think Overkill should be in as well, no other band more dedicated to thrash and still to this day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@AlexSkolnick-ok4ub]

Hello are you also one of my fans/supporters out there?

[@tobiascrow2792]

Testament is the "unofficial" Big one of the Big 4.

[@michaelhassler7446]

Testament and Exodus are in the Big 8.

[@T.R.R.Jolkien]

Michael Hassler. Suicidal and Death Angel! 😎

[@michaelhassler7446]

I've seen Suicidal Tendencies in 2016 when the drummer of Slayer joined them, Dave. But I have several Death Angel cds, my favorite is The Dream Calls For Blood. Death Angel's drummer Will Carroll seems to be getting better from the Coronavirus almost killing him.

[@hotlanta35]

Back in the 80s and early 90s I never lumped metal bands into “the Big Four”… by the time people started saying that all the time metal music started to go south.

[@martins2246]

I LOOOVE everything about Sammy except his Van Halen time. He is so cool a personality AND Dave-Halen is absolute, electric guitar , hard rock milestones.

[@nickcynn42]

And now testament has been crowned the new member of the big four because of slayers departure

[@fredsmith5925]

I think you are misunderstanding the whole thing. They were called the Big Four Of Thrash back in the 1980s. Metallica hasn’t been Thrash in 30 years, and outside of Slayer, the rest of them haven’t been the biggest Thrash bands in 30 years.

[@Morbidfilthz]

Regardless Slayer is trash

[@nickcynn42]

@@Morbidfilthz euoof

[@drio2020]

I think Exodus should have that spot as they were there before testament

[@landinization]

Fred Smith Megadeth’s The System Has Failed, United Abominations, Endgame, a little bit of Th1rt3en, and Dystopia are all records passed the 2000’s full of Thrash Metal. But that’s what imo made Megadeth musically better than the rest of the Big 4. They never needed to fully rely in Thrash to make great records (CTE, Youthanasia, underrated Cryptic Writings), and even in Rust in peace songs like Hangar 18, Lucretia and Tornado of souls are not full thrash and I still consider it one of the best metal creations ever (if not the best). Once Metallica stopped making Thrash they were never good again, Slayer even though always stayed thrash they made some god awful albums after Divine Intervention, and Anthrax lost their track after Belladona’s departure, and now that he is back they are good again.

[@PM-Snaggletooth68]

Testament are no where near as popular as the "Big Four".... also their Discography is not even close to the shear amount of albums sold compared with the "Big Four".... They are a great band how ever they were not the original pioneers of thrash .....

[@theloveboobhsqd]

Yea.... he kinda said that himself

[@princesstna925]

Alex fuckin shreds. The big four should be the founding for and Dave Mustaine is the father of thrash metal and Alex skolnick is probably in the top three thrash metal guitarist in the world. Plus I was lucky enough to stay a week on a boat with him directly across the hall from me one of the kindest and most humble of any Shredder I've ever met

[@itkojecockot]

true, but Testament were actually around already the same time when these early thrash bands got together...... they were playing under band name "The Legacy" which later offcourse became the title of their debut as they renamed themselves to Testament...... so yeah, when they became finally Testament, they were a bit behind, but their debut is still one of the greatest thrash albums of all time...... not a weak track on it

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

@@itkojecockot very true. I agree that Testament's debut album is Phenomenal with not one bad song on it. Even their second album The New Order is a perfect album with no weak songs either. Testament to me is one of the most consistent bands ever. The majority of their catalog to me is flawless.

[@over50gamer]

When he talked about EVH being better now, I had to look at the time that this was recorded. I was like whaaaa...?? x'D RIP Eddie.

[@vorpalblades]

He's definitely better now...

[@misfit2022]

Testament like Exodus were just outside the big four. Big 4 all had killer second albums too Hell Awaits, Ride the Lightning, Peace Sells, Spreading the Disease so they all matured very quickly as these second albums all still stand up now 35 years on and I was listening to Peace Sells and Ride the Lightning very recently

[@AlexSkolnick-ok4ub]

Hello are you also one of my fans/supporters out there?

[@AlexSkolnick-ok4ub]

Hello are you also one of my fans/supporters out there?

[@souquiant5206]

The question should be, why some bands are influential and others don’t ? in that matter from the big four, I would replace Anthrax with Exodus

[@Miist3rDuce1]

If anthrax doesn't deserve to be in the big 4 then neither does exodus

[@souquiant5206]

@@Miist3rDuce1 and don’t get me wrong I really like Anthrax but definitely is the weakest link of the chain.

[@clintfu]

There should be a Little Four as well, but things get a little convoluted when you try to fit in and rank Testament, Exodus, Death Angel, Overkill, Nuclear Assault, Kreator, Sodom, Tankard, Destruction, Dark Angel,. . . Not to mention all of the great bands that started coming out in the late '80s.

[@chuckmannewrock4743]

Alex handled that deftly, class act

[@eljusticiero978]

Best thrash metal band ever

[@whataboutrob442]

Testament vs Master of Puppets, Reign in Blood, Peace Sells and Anthrax..... no way!

[@shywhispers1]

Testament is the best!!!!

[@glakhmed]

Personally, now that Slayer has retired, I would like to see Overkill in the Big 4 picture.

[@DesignerFromMars]

Representing Steve's Music Store

[@embracerodusk2537]

Big Four as a moniker hasn't really meant anything since the 80's. All it ever was, was a reference to the four bands who kicked off the whole thrash metal scene (whom were also the most popular bands in the genre for a long time). Testament's first album didn't come out until 1987, so they were basically part of the 2nd wave of thrash bands of which there were many both in the USA & Europe.

[@archangel5627]

Edgecrusher 1492 I totally agree with you. Testament’s first record came out after Metallica put out their Thrash Masterpiece, Master of Puppets, Megadeth had Peace Sells, Slayer had Reign In Blood, And Anthrax had Spreading The Disease. Unfortunately Testament came out with their first album The Legacy in 1987 which was a bit too late in the naming of the Big Four. Not too mention it was their freshman album while the other four bands were on their second or third releases getting ready to put out another new record. For that reason alone I consider Testament being apart of the second wave of Thrash even though Testament is currently the most Badass band out of the bunch!

[@hinjurock]

The Big 4 concerts weren't even a thing until the late 2000's - that term was rarely used before then.

[@Gregbaltzer]

@@hinjurockNot true. I used to buy metal magazines in the 80's and the Big 4 was a term created by the magazines at that time. They were the four biggest thrash bands, and articles about them helped sell magazines. Power Metal mag(owned by Hit Parader) had covers touting The Big 4 even back in the 80's. I know because I owned them. It's not a new term at all.

[@hinjurock]

@@Gregbaltzer I have tons of metal magazines from the 80's (Kerrang, Metal Forces, RIP, and others) and I don't recall that term being used often - maybe a few times, but if certainly wasn't common. And I also don't remember ever seeing a magazine called Power Metal - did you live in the UK at that time?

[@Gregbaltzer]

@@hinjurock Canada and Power Metal was a magazine that was run by the more commercial magazine Hit Parader. Where Hit Parader covered a lot more traditional/mainstream metal, Power metal covered a lot more of the underground speed/thrash metal genres. I mostly read Power Metal, Metal Edge, Metal Maniacs. There was also Circus, but that was too commercial for me. Never read the European mags. Power Metal, Metal Edge, Circus and Metal Maniacs were American mags, that could have been the big difference because the big 4 were all American bands. But I heard the term used a bunch of times. I remember one magazine cover was "The Big Four" and it had the four bands on the front. They also did a lot of Megadeth vs. Metallica type articles, constantly fueling the feud between those two.

[@HaereticusMetal]

Why isn't Testament? What about EXODUS? Why isn't EXODUS considered over hokey-ass Anthrax?

[@jesse_cole]

Probably because Anthrax could write actual songs, so people bought their records.

[@TimHeinz-htimba]

Shoot, I was in 10th grade in 86 and to my knowledge, noboby was talking about Testament, Overkill, or Exodus. It was all about Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. Not so much about Anthrax yet until Among the Living came out in 87, but even though they were trailing behind the other three by about a year I can see why Anthrax is included in the big 4. In someways Alex is right though, at least back in the 80s, it wasn't until the bands 3rd and sometimes 2nd album they become popular. So it wasn't until 88 and 89 that Testament, Overkill, and Exodus became popular.

[@brandonjones4424]

If you are from back in the day Anthrax wasn't thought of with Metallica,Slayer etc only with the true metal heads.High points of my life was getting to see Testament ,Anthrax,Savatage, Overkill they worked harder and put on a better show

[@jleote]

I love Testament...but itd have to be the big six to get them on. Number 5 would be overkill.

[@robertghanem4908]

EXODUS.

[@michaelhassler7446]

Add Exodus, Testament, Overkill, and Death Angel and people are calling that the big 8.

[@snap-off5383]

MY big 4 are metallica, megadeth, testament and pantera, never got into slayer nor anthrax.

[@michaelhassler7446]

Switch Slayer with Metallica and I might be able to follow your thought process a bit.

[@silverbackgorilla2112]

This my Big 4 also. Anthrax and Slayer are Lame

[@kkoch666]

Fuck Pantera, they're not even close to being in this big four debate, they were no part of pioneering in this era.

[@eddievedderface]

Pantera aren't an 80s thrash band lol

[@snap-off5383]

@@eddievedderface en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantera while pantera certainly was glam metal when they started in 81, the 88 album was popularly referred to as Priestera, and until 1990s cowboys from hell there was only a big 3, with a bunch of glom-ons. 80s thrash is a style not a timeline.

[@gab.lab.martins]

By the time Testament got _The Legacy_ out, Anthrax had _Among the Living,_ Megadeth had _Peace Sells_ and was going on _So Far,…,_ Metallica had _Master of Puppets,_ Slayer had _Reign in Blood_ and going into _South of Heaven._ Testament is awesome, but if it was Big 5, Exodus would be it, since by 1987 they had _Bonded by Blood_ and _Pleasures of the Flesh._

[@alexlevesque9687]

The dudes repping Steve's! Fucking rock on!