One of the great powers of American thrash metal, Testament , shook the music scene with their third studio album, Practice What You Preach , released in 1989 by Atlantic/Megaforce Records. The album marked a significant breakthrough for the band, propelled by the success of singles such as "Greenhouse Effect," "The Ballad," and the title track itself, elevating Practice What You Preach to classic status.
Staying true to their thrash metal roots, Practice What You Preach showcased Testament's experimentation with diverse influences, including traditional heavy metal and progressive/technical metal. Lyrically, the album addressed political and social themes, moving away from the occult themes of previous releases, which initially caused some fans to turn up their noses.
Songs like the title track and “Blessed in Contempt” explore religious themes, while “Greenhouse Effect” addresses politics regarding environmental issues. The album also features themes such as suicide prevention, in “Sins of Omission,” and personal struggles, in “The Ballad.”
Musically speaking, the title track kicks off the chaos with crushing riffs, with the duo of Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson punishing the guitars, while Chuck Billy screams and growls menacingly. Skolnick's solos are captivating and melodic, as his skill in varied styles, such as jazz, shines through. Greg Christian Louie Clemente 's drums keep the rhythm going with frenetic and powerful beats.
The already mentioned “Greenhouse Effect” and “Envy Life” slow down the pace and ride the groove, without abandoning the heaviness, while “Time is Coming” has a great catchy chorus perfect for raising your fists, and “Blessed in Contempt” and “Nightmare” return to the fast beats, made for headbanging.
Allegedly recorded live in the studio, "Practice What You Preach" marked the band's last collaboration with producer Alex Perialas , who was known for his raw and energetic approach.
Receiving favorable reviews, Practice What You Preach reached number 77 on the Billboard 200 , becoming Testament's first album to enter the Top 100. Singles like the title track gained significant attention from the mainstream rock scene, with their music videos frequently appearing on MTV's Headbangers Ball.
Practice What You Preach continues to receive accolades, appearing on numerous best-of-album lists over the years. Testament's fusion of musical sophistication and metal ferocity captivated audiences, solidifying their place in thrash metal history. As Testament's journey progressed, Practice What You Preach paved the way for new triumphs, setting the stage for their next major release, Souls of Black , which would be released in 1990, but that's a story for another day.
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