In a recent interview with Andrew McKaysmith on the Scars And Guitars podcast, TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy opened up about his ambitions after nearly four decades of recording and touring with his band. When asked what goals remain on his checklist, Billy shared his long-standing wish to tour with METALLICA, a band he deeply admires.
“I think the number one thing on my list would be going on tour with METALLICA,” Billy revealed (as transcribed by Blabbermouth.net). “We grew up in the same scene and area, and they paved the way for this style of music. Over the years, we’ve played a few festivals and shows together, but never an actual tour. I don’t know why it hasn’t happened, and maybe one day I’ll get an answer to that. METALLICA has always been an inspiration for me, especially James [Hetfield]. His vocal style influences how I approach writing music to this day. Whenever I’m working on a song, I think, ‘What would James do here?’ I have so much respect for them for continuing to push forward after all these years.”
When McKaysmith commented that he personally connects more with TESTAMENT’s music than METALLICA’s, Billy acknowledged, “It might depend on your age or what you grew up with. For me, I connect with METALLICA because I’ve seen their journey from the beginning to where they are now. They’re unstoppable, like a supernova, and they keep doing their thing regardless of what anyone thinks. I respect that they haven’t just said, ‘We’re rich enough, we’re done.’ They have the guts to play the music they want, and as long as it excites them, more power to them.”
Billy’s desire to tour with METALLICA isn’t new. In an August 2021 appearance on The Jasta Show, he expressed similar sentiments, lamenting the lack of a full tour despite the bands’ long-standing history. “METALLICA is always the one band I’ve wanted to play with,” he said. “We grew up together, but we’ve never toured together. A few years ago, we did three festival shows with them in Germany, and it was like catching up with old friends. I remember James or Lars [Ulrich] joking, ‘Look at you guys, you’ve still got your hair, and you’re all huge,’ because Steve [DiGiorgio] and Gene [Hoglan] are so tall. It was great seeing them.”
Billy also shared a humorous theory about why TESTAMENT might have been overlooked for METALLICA’s Bay Area shows, where bands like EXODUS and DEATH ANGEL have performed. “Eric [Peterson] married Kirk’s [Hammett] ex,” Billy joked. “We always tease him, like, ‘Eric, is that why we haven’t toured with METALLICA? What did you do?’ [Laughs]”
Back in 2017, James Hetfield acknowledged TESTAMENT’s impact during an interview with Elliott Fullam of Little Punk People. When asked to name his favorite thrash bands outside the “Big Four” (METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX), Hetfield said, “EXODUS, for sure. We grew up with those guys in the Bay Area. And TESTAMENT, of course. There’s so much great thrash from that era.”
Despite the missed opportunities, Billy remains hopeful. “Maybe one day it’ll happen,” he said. For now, TESTAMENT continues to thrive as one of the most respected bands in thrash metal.
