Episode 26: Chuck Billy (Testament)

Before meeting him, a future bandmate of Chuck Billy’s recalled seeing him work his way to front row of a KISS concert in this way: “One figure stood out among the carnage, someone so large, he could push his way through anyone else in that crowd.  With a height of 6’4”, wild black hair, and a chest like a gladiator, he stood out.  Slithering to the front row, he ruthlessly pushed aside anyone who stood in his way.  Beers were knocked over, their contents spilling out… this was not someone to be messed with."That’s the perspective of a young Alex Skolnick, who would receive a phone call from Chuck seven years after that show, when Steve “Zetro” Souza left to join Exodus, about the band that would become Testament’s frontman vacancy.  Though there have been many departures and returns of group members and twists and turns to their musical style, Chuck and guitarist Eric Peterson have been the mainstays guiding Testament for over four decades. Their fourteenth studio album, Para Bellum, was released in October 2025  to much acclaim, showcasing a set of songs that collectively may represent the band’s most diverse offering in their storied catalog. Ahead of the group’s upcoming Thrash of the Titans 2026 tour with Overkill and Destruction, I had a chance to catch up with Chuck and speak about a number of topics, including:  the songwriting process for Para Bellum, the diverse nature of the songs on the record and how each stands alone, the inspiration behind “Infanticide A.I.,” and why it was time to include another ballad on a Testament record.his process for developing lyrics to songs, how working with the riffs from Eric Peterson helps him create vocal melodies, and the trial and error of deciding what vocal style to use.how the addition of drummer Chris Dovas has influenced and reinvigorated the group, the irony of now being influenced by bands Testament once inspired, and how the band is curating the setlist for Thrash of the Titans. the Practice What You Preach 35th anniversary tour, the beauty of a show ending at 10:00pm, the possibility of future anniversary tours for Souls of Black and The Ritual, and Chuck’s recent appearance with Metal Allegiance at NAMM.Testament’s cover of “Seek and Destroy” for a compilation dedicated to Kill ‘Em All, the importance of Metallica in the Bay Area thrash scene, memories of Cliff Burton, a pop quiz about the quote mentioned above, and reflections on how long Testament can keep going.Chuck was a pleasure to speak with and I thank him for taking the time to answer all of my questions thoroughly and carefully.  Be sure to check out Testament on tour in the United States this spring! Enjoy!