First Strike Still Deadly is the ninth studio album by Testament, released in 2001. It consists of re-recorded songs released on The Legacy and The New Order, as well as a re-recording of "Reign of Terror", which was originally on Legacy's Demo 1 and appeared as a b-side from the "Trial by Fire" single; the latter version also appeared on the 1993 EP Return to the Apocalyptic City. On some Japanese versions of this release, a different cover is present, and the disc is an Enhanced CD and includes a bonus QuickTime documentary with live clips of various incarnations of the band.
First Strike Still Deadly saw a Testament reunion with three former or current members (guitarist Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve DiGiorgio and drummer John Tempesta) as well as their original singer Steve "Zetro" Souza. Souza, Skolnick and Tempesta did not officially rejoin Testament at the time of its recording, though Skolnick did in 2005 and is still a member of the band to this day. First Strike Still Deadly was also the last Testament album with bassist DiGiorgio before his return in 2014.[2]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [3] |
First Strike Still Deadly has received mostly negative reviews. AllMusic writer Brian O'Neill awards the album one star out of five, and criticizes, "Re-recording one's hits is worse than live albums because it tries to be something it never can be, and this disc is no exception. Get the originals, or even the two Testament hits compilations, for the real deal; check this out if karaoke is your idea of contemporary entertainment." [3]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Original album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "First Strike Is Deadly" | Steve Souza, Greg Christian | Alex Skolnick, Eric Peterson | The Legacy | 4:00 |
| 2. | "Into the Pit" | Chuck Billy, Skolnick, Peterson | Skolnick, Peterson | The New Order | 2:54 |
| 3. | "Trial by Fire" | Billy, Skolnick, Peterson | Skolnick, Peterson | The New Order | 4:33 |
| 4. | "Disciples of the Watch" | Billy | Skolnick, Peterson | The New Order | 4:34 |
| 5. | "The Preacher" | Billy, Skolnick | Skolnick, Peterson | The New Order | 3:56 |
| 6. | "Burnt Offerings" | Souza, Peterson | Skolnick, Peterson | The Legacy | 5:28 |
| 7. | "Over the Wall" | Souza | Skolnick, Peterson, Christian | The Legacy | 4:18 |
| 8. | "The New Order" | Skolnick, Peterson | Skolnick, Peterson | The New Order | 4:43 |
| 9. | "The Haunting" | Souza, Peterson | Skolnick, Peterson | The Legacy | 4:37 |
| 10. | "Alone in the Dark" | Souza | Skolnick, Peterson | The Legacy | 4:40 |
| 11. | "Reign of Terror" | Souza, Derrick Ramirez, Peterson | Ramirez, Peterson | Demo 1 | 5:06 |
| Total length: | 48:40 | ||||
Charts
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Oricon Albums Chart | 70 |
Credits
Musicians
- Chuck Billy: vocals (tracks 1-9)
- Steve "Zetro" Souza: vocals (tracks 10 and 11)
- Alex Skolnick: lead guitar
- Eric Peterson: lead and rhythm guitar
- Steve DiGiorgio: bass
- John Tempesta: drums
Other
- Andy Sneap: mixing
References
- ^ "Testament - First Strike Still Deadly". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
- ^ "Testament Parts Ways With Bassist Greg Christian, Announces Return Of Steve DiGiorgio". Blabbermouth.net. 2014-01-13. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
- ^ a b O'Neill, Brian. First Strike Still Deadly at AllMusic