The Legacy

about this album

"The Legacy" is the debut studio album by American thrash metal band Testament, released on 21 April 1987. Prior to the album’s recording in January 1987, the band performed under the name Legacy. The line-up at that time included vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza, guitarists Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson, bassist Greg Christian and drummer Louie Clemente. After Souza left the group to join Exodus, Chuck Billy, who had previously performed with Legacy on several occasions, became the band’s lead vocalist. Approximately one month before the album’s release, the group adopted the name Testament after discovering another band using the name Legacy. The new name was suggested by Billy Milano, a musician associated with S.O.D. and M.O.D. "The Legacy" is the only Testament album to feature songwriting contributions from Souza, who is credited as co-writer on most tracks. The songs "C.O.T.L.O.D." and "Do or Die" were co-written by Derrick Ramirez and Chuck Billy respectively, while the closing track "Apocalyptic City" was written by Skolnick and Peterson. The album was recorded and mixed at Pyramid Sound Studios in Ithaca, New York, and mastered at Frankford Wayne Mastering Labs in New York City. In June 2024, it was announced that "The Legacy" and "The New Order" would be remastered and reissued on 12 July 2024. In support of the album, Testament undertook a worldwide tour from June 1987 to April 1988. During the North American leg, they opened for Anthrax on the "Among the Living"

tracks

more from Testament

The Formation of Damnation

The New Order

The Gathering

Souls of Black

The Ritual

Practice What You Preach