In a recent conversation with Jai That Aussie Metal Guy, Chuck Billy opened up about his 90-minute vocal warm-up routine, explaining how he keeps his voice in top shape after nearly four decades of touring.
“Routine. I’d say it’s routine,” Billy said when asked about maintaining his voice. “When I first started vocal training before joining the band, I got a warm-up tape that I’ve been using for 40 years. I still use that same tape to this day.”
He went on to emphasize the mental aspect of his warm-up. “Now, it’s a mental thing for me. I warm up for 90 minutes before every show. If I don’t do it, my mind will tell me, ‘You’re not ready to sing, you didn’t warm up.’ So, it’s more psychological than anything else.”
Reflecting further on his vocal rituals, Billy recalled a similar conversation from a 2016 interview with All About The Rock. “I’ve been doing vocal warm-ups for the last 30 years, and I always take the time to get into the right headspace before I step on stage,” he said. “Everyone has their own pre-show routines, but mine always includes vocal exercises.”
He also explained how consistency in his routine has helped him avoid damaging his voice over the years. “If I stressed my voice too much, I’d probably lose it more often. But when I just do my thing without overthinking it, it feels like I’m still in the zone from the last show.”
In other news, Testament’s new album, set for release in 2025, will follow their 2020 record Titans of Creation. Billy expressed excitement for the new album, sharing that the band’s creative process had been particularly inspiring. “I’m really excited about this one. The timing feels right, and everything is falling into place,” he told The Rockpit. “I believe things happen for a reason. Having Chris Dovas join us on drums has been great, and we’ve spent a lot of time jamming with Eric [Peterson, guitarist] at his place. We’ve been working hard on new music and tracking demos.”
Billy also revealed that the new songs have a different energy, partly due to the fast-paced drumming of Dovas, which has influenced Peterson’s guitar work. “The songs are faster and more aggressive. My vocals have a wider range, and there’s more screaming. I’m really excited to see how these tracks will come alive on stage.”
