List of Testament members

Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed under the name Legacy in 1983 by cousins Derrick Ramirez (guitar) and Eric Peterson (guitar, backing vocals), the original lineup of the group also featured vocalist Steve Souza, bassist Greg Christian and drummer Louie Clemente.[1] Clemente left the band in 1985 and was replaced by Mike Ronchette. Ramirez departed soon after and was replaced by Alex Skolnick.[1] After the band recorded the Legacy Demo in 1985, Souza left to join Exodus in 1986 and was replaced by Chuck Billy, who the departing vocalist had suggested for his replacement.[1] Drummer Louie Clemente returned to the band in 1986. Legacy was signed by Megaforce Records and changed its name to Testament later in the year, before releasing its debut album The Legacy in 1987.[1]

Two lineups of Testament performing in 2008 (top) and 2016 (bottom).

The lineup of Testament remained unchanged for several years, before Skolnick left in 1992 due to musical differences.[2] Clemente followed just a few months later.[3] The guitarist and drummer's replacements were former Forbidden bandmates Glen Alvelais and Paul Bostaph, respectively, both of whom featured on the live album Return to the Apocalyptic City in 1993.[4] Low saw the addition of guitarist James Murphy and drummer John Tempesta, although the latter was replaced by Jon Dette after the album's release.[4] Following the end of the album's touring cycle, which also saw Chris Kontos replacing Dette, Testament was briefly reduced to a duo as Murphy, Christian and Kontos all departed; the band returned the following year with Demonic, featuring Derrick Ramirez on bass and Gene Hoglan on drums.[5]

Murphy returned for The Gathering, which also featured Steve DiGiorgio on bass and Dave Lombardo on drums.[6] Lombardo and Murphy were later replaced by Jon Allen and Steve Smyth, respectively.[7][8] In 2001 the band released First Strike Still Deadly, a collection of re-recorded early tracks, which featured contributions from former members Souza, Skolnick and Tempesta.[9] Bostaph returned to the band in February 2004.[10] The following year, former guitarist Skolnick and bassist Christian returned for a short tour,[11] although ultimately they would remain with the band after its conclusion.[4] Clemente also returned as part of the reunion, but was forced to depart again in 2006 due to medical reasons, with Bostaph returning in his place.[12] Tempesta served as a second drummer during his tenure.[13]

Nick Barker took over as the band's drummer in early 2007,[14] but was replaced by Bostaph again later in the year.[15] In 2011, Hoglan returned to Testament in time for the recording of Dark Roots of Earth,[16] and in 2014 DiGiorgio also returned to replace Christian.[17]