Live Review: Testament – The Tivoli, Brisbane 2025

HEADLINER: TESTAMENT
SUPPORT: SNAKE MOUNTAIN
DATE: 19/06/2025
VENUE: THE TIVOLI
PHOTOGRAPHER: MERT TYSON PHOTOGRAPHY
REVIEWER: MERT TYSON

Thrash Titans Unleashed: Testament Ignites Tivoli Brisbane!

If there’s one thing Testament has taught us over their 42-year reign, it’s to Practice What You Preach—and last night at The Tivoli in Brisbane, they did exactly that, unleashing a thrash masterclass No gimmicks, no mercy—just raw, unrelenting warfare.

Venomous Riffs & Coiled Fury: Snake Mountain Strikes, Firing Up Brisbane!

No metal feast is complete without a warm-up act that sets the stage ablaze, and Brisbane’s own Snake Mountain delivered just that. This local powerhouse came out swinging, ready to prove that Australian Metal is alive, well, and ferocious. From the first riff, they grabbed the Testament faithful by the throat and refused to let go

Snake Mountain’s aggressive style wasted no time in making an impression—thunderous drumming, razor-sharp riffage, and those raw and intense vocals had heads banging in full force. Their technical prowess was undeniable, weaving precision into chaos in a way that only seasoned thrashers can. Each song ripped through the venue like a relentless force, with searing solos and neck-snapping grooves keeping the pit moving and the energy sky-high. The Brisbane faithful, ever-hungry for heaviness, responded in kind—mosh pits surged, fists flew, and voices roared with approval.

By the time they wrapped up their set, Snake Mountain had achieved exactly what an opening act should—primed the audience for absolute carnage. Testament was about to take the stage, but thanks to this local thrash juggernaut, Brisbane was already fully charged. If last night was any indication, Snake Mountain is a band to watch, standing proudly as a beacon of the Aussie metal scene with a performance that was nothing short of electrifying. The thrash torch burns bright in Brisbane, and these guys are carrying it high.

Down Under Disciples—It’s Time for Testament’s Souls to Burn!

From the moment Chuck Billy stepped onto the stage, mic stand swinging like a war hammer, it was clear that time has only sharpened his beastly presence. His Sins of Omission? Absolutely none. That signature growl, deep and commanding, tore through the venue like a thunderous sermon, proving that the Testament frontman is as formidable as ever. The Brisbane crowd, a sea of raised horns and relentless headbanging, met his energy with unbridled enthusiasm, turning the venue into a sacred ground of thrash worship.

As the band launched into Practice What You Preach, the legendary pairing of Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick demonstrated precisely why Testament’s riffage remains among the most lethal in metal history. Peterson’s crushing rhythms were the backbone of an unstoppable sonic assault, while Skolnick’s solos soared with a fiery precision, cutting through the madness like a blade tempered in thrash fury. Each note felt like a battle cry, their guitars forming a vicious tandem that wove seamlessly between brutality and finesse.

The rhythm section, led by the mighty Steve Di Giorgio and the thunderous Paul Bostaph, was nothing short of earth-shaking. Bostaph’s drumming—aggressive, unrelenting, and driving—was the pulse of the chaos, while Di Giorgio’s bass lines rumbled through the venue like tectonic tremors, a seismic force impossible to ignore.

Standout moments of the night? D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate) proved Testament’s ability to hit like a freight train at full speed, while Low sent waves of pure intensity through the pit. The Tivoli transformed into a hurricane of sweat and camaraderie when Into the Pit kicked in, Brisbane’s loyal thrashers launching themselves into a whirling frenzy worthy of the song’s ferocity.

But Testament also knows how to command moments of raw emotion. Return to Serenity washed over the crowd with an eerie beauty, contrasting the savagery that preceded it. The set continued to defy expectations with Native Blood and Trail of Tears, delivering a powerful, visceral journey that resonated deeply with those who understood its themes.

The night wrapped up with a sense of triumph. As the final chords rang out, bodies drained but spirits soaring, one thing was undeniable: Brisbane had witnessed a performance worthy of thrash royalty. Testament’s unwavering dominance in the genre is no fluke—it’s built on decades of relentless energy, precision, and passion, and last night proved that their legacy remains unshaken.

So, if this was only night one of the Australian tour, what’s coming next? Only one thing’s certain—Testament DO NOT disappoint.

Thanks as always to all the people who make this happen! Metropolis The Phoenix.au, The Tivoli and the staff, the crews, and the Bands! And my Hear2Zen fam who trust me with sharp objects!

What a night! 🤘🔥

Mert.