Testament Dominates Sales Charts Around the Globe!

Bay Area thrash metal legends TESTAMENT, have scanned 20,720 copies of their new album Dark Roots of Earth in its first week of sales in the United States according to Nielson Soundscan. The album debuted at No. 12 on the US Billboard Top 200 chart, making it their highest first week sales since the inception of Soundscan. This also marks the highest first week sales for a Nuclear Blast artist yet.

Commented the band:
“Thanks to the TESTAMENT legions for making us shine this first week. Horns up!” – Eric Peterson

“I want to express my eternal gratitude to everybody who supported the Dark Roots of Earth album and for making our hopes, dreams and hard work a reality. I am forever grateful.” – Chuck Billy

“It is with great pleasure that I share this honor with the TESTAMENT family and their legions of fans worldwide. The highest charting debut the band’s and label’s history! That is due not only you the fans, but also the extremely hard work by the worldwide offices of Nuclear Blast. Their efforts have paid off greatly and are most appreciated. Now that’s how you run a campaign.” – Gene Hoglan

“I’d like to give a big ‘thank you’ to all the people that helped bring this about. Thank you to everyone at Nuclear Blast, for all the hard work putting this campaign together. And definitely, a big thank you goes put to all the fans. You all made this possible. Cheers!” – Greg Christian

“Our first week chart activity, which includes a #12 Billboard debut, is the type of thing that has long seemed elusive to this band. But this time, thanks to a great team (our label, our management and of course, our awesome fans) it’s on. Thank you all!” – Alex Skolnick

Dark Roots of Earth First-Week Chart Positions Around the Globe:
#21 Austria Top 75
#62 Belgium Top 100
#86 Belgium Flanders
#40 Belgium Walloonia
#12 Canadian Top 200
#4 Germany Top 100
#4 Finland Top 50
#13 Ireland Top 20
#32 Netherlands Top 200
#10 Switzerland (CH)
#57 United Kingdom Top 200
#3 United Kingdom Indie Top 40
#3 United Kingdom Rock Top 40

Critics Rave:
“Numerical groupings be damned, perennial underdogs TESTAMENT are the best thrash band still standing.” – DECIBEL MAGAZINE (US)

“TESTAMENT maintain their hard-won reputation as the only one of the major ‘80s thrash bands who still haven’t released a crappy record.” – REVOLVER MAGAZINE (US)

“Those of us who consider ourselves TESTAMENT die-hards will probably die holding tightly to this album.” – BLABBERMOUTH.NET

“Hail and kill! Fuckin’ awesome!” – METAL HAMMER (UK)

“Polish the crown because 2012′s thrash kings have been crowned!” – TERRORIZER (UK)

“Heaviness and melody nearly perfectly balanced. Who ever doubted TESTAMENT would belong to the Big 4 should be convinced now!” – METAL HAMMER (GER)

Dark Roots of Earth was produced, mixed and mastered by acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE, ACCEPT, EXODUS). Special bonus tracks were recorded, mixed and mastered by Juan Urteaga (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS, TED NUGENT, NIGHT RANGER) at his Trident Studios. Eliran Kantor, who has previously worked with ATHEIST, SIGH, ANACRUSIS and GWAR, among others, provided the cover artwork.

For USA IN-STORE specials on Dark Roots of Earth visit http://bit.ly/testgwp and to order online go to https://www.facebook.com/testamentlegions/app_122951281158671.

Check out the music video for their new single “Native Blood” here: http://youtu.be/l5Ibm8mjSek. The song, whose lyrics are about vocalist Chuck Billy’s Native American heritage, was filmed at the Hopland Indian Reservation in Hopland, Calif. The clip was directed by Mike Sloat (MACHINE HEAD, STAIND).

Dark Roots Of Earth CD/DVD track listing:
01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence

Bonus:
10. Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11. Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12. Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)
13. Throne Of Thornes (extended version)
+ Bonus DVD

Dark Roots Of Earth vinyl track listing:
Side A:
01. Rise Up
02. Native Blood
03. Dark Roots Of Earth

Side B:
04. True American Hate
05. A Day In The Death
06. Cold Embrace

Side C:
07. Man Kills Mankind
08. Throne Of Thorns
09. Last Stand For Independence

Side D (Bonus):
10. Dragon Attack (QUEEN cover)
11. Animal Magnetism (SCORPIONS cover)
12. Powerslave (IRON MAIDEN cover)

TESTAMENT has also revealed several co-headlining tour dates with fellow American thrash metal greats, ANTHRAX, in support of the summer release. The September run will feature DEATH ANGEL in support, and is slated to kick off on Sept. 14thin Sacramento, Calif. A list of all confirmed dates can be seen below.

TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX, DEATH ANGEL

09/14 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
09/15 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
09/16 – Kennewick, WA @ Toyota Center (Kennewick)
09/17 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
09/19 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox at The Market
09/20 – Vancouver, BC – CANADA @ Vogue Theater
09/21 – Calgary, AB – CANADA @ MacEwan Hall
09/22 – Edmonton, AB – CANADA @ Edmonton Event Centre
09/24 – Saskatoon, SK – CANADA @ Odeon Event Center
09/25 – Winnipeg, MB – CANADA @ Burton Cummings Theatre
09/29 – Toronto, ON – CANADA @ Danforth Music Hall
09/30 – Quebec City, QC – CANADA @ Capitole du Quebec
10/02 – Montreal, QC – CANADA @ Metropolis
10/03 – Portland, ME @ State Theater
10/05 – Montclair, NJ@ Wellmont Theatre

TESTAMENT is:

Chuck Billy – Vocals
Eric Peterson – Guitar
Alex Skolnick – Guitar
Greg Christian – Bass

Gene Hoglan – Drums