When pioneering thrash legends Testament and Kreator announced a joint co-headlining tour hell-bent on North American domination, you already know it’s a guaranteed good time of iconic heavy metal. This isn’t the first time the two mainstays have teamed as this is a continuation of their already existing Klash of the Titans tour, this time hitting every major city in N. America including Chicago. I’ve been hoping this tour would eventually come through as seeing both these thrash icons on the same night is the perfect time to catch both thrash titans.

Opening up the night were the death metal pioneers in Possessed. Laying the groundwork for the death metal sub-genre in the early ‘80s, Possessed are legends for good reason. Fast and brutal, Possessed incorporated traditional elements of heavy and thrash metal while throwing in new spins into the fold, most notably (at the time) newer vocal stylings separating themselves from being considered thrash but rather something different and entirely new. Upon realizing their iconic Seven Churches record, many consider this the official birthplace of death metal. After being on hiatus for two decades, lineup changes, and pauses in touring, it almost seems as though Possessed are just finding their stride over the last several years. Though they continue to unleash their sonic brutality on the world, this newly rebuilt and polished Possessed are exactly what the metal world needs currently.

The legendary German thrash lords Kreator hit the stage running with their ear-shattering, heart-pounding thrash metal all while giant blowups of demons and hanging witches surround them, making you feel like you’re in some ancient, mystical fantasy world. Known for being one of the Big Four of the Teutonic thrash scene in Europe, Kreator are thrash legends for a reason.

Shifting from traditional speed metal to a more thrash sound, they would even incorporate industrial and gothic metal into their music in the ‘90s. Kreator would eventually return to their thrash metal roots, putting out pure, 100% old-school thrash that simply can’t be beat. Not only pioneers in thrash, Kreator are also credited with being major influences on the death and black metal genres, as much of their sound and approach to music would be eventually incorporated into those new subgenres in Europe. Always putting on great sets. Kreator make a point to incorporate songs from every era of the band so that no matter when you jumped in, you can hear some tracks that are favorites, ranging from “Pleasure to Kill” to “Betrayer” to newer songs like “Hate Uber Alles.” Kreator will always deliver a fast and heavy set filled with good times and circle pits.

As iconic as they come, Testament are tried-and-true thrash legends that are still crushing it to this day. Often noted as one of the best thrash bands out of the Big Four, Testament are also often credited as being one of the leaders of the second wave of thrash during the late ‘80s being significant players in the Bay Area metal scene alongside Exodus, Death Angel, Forbidden, Vio-lence, and Laaz Rockit. Similar to Kreator, Testament are as consistent as they come putting on an all-killer, no-filler setlist focusing on playing old-school tracks as they celebrate the re-release of The Legacy and The New Order with songs like “Into the Pit,” “The New Order,” and “Over the Wall.”

This was definitely a unique Testament set for fans as these are often songs that don’t get played or can’t be fit into a normal setlist. While they didn’t play many of their hallmarks or fan-favorite songs, I don’t think anyone complained, as they ripped and shredded their way through this iconic batch of songs that haven’t been shown full love for decades. Circle pits, dueling guitar battles, and neck-breaking riffs were aplenty as the tour name, Klash of the Titans, lived up to its name. There’s no such thing as a bad Testament show, and this tour is no different as they put on a tight, well-done, and unique set for fans to rock out and headbang too.

Testament

Kreator

Possessed