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# Always Meant to Be: An Interview with Chuck Billy (Testament)
- URL: https://www.thisdayinmetal.com/always-meant-to-be-an-interview-with-chuck-billy-testament/
- Published: 2026-02-19T21:04:39.000Z
- Updated: 2026-02-24T23:31:16.000Z
- Author: Ed Hackimer
- Tags: Interviews, #interviews, Testament, Chuck Billy, Alex Skolnick

Before meeting him, a future bandmate of **Chuck Billy’s** recalled seeing him work his way to front row of a **KISS** concert in this way: 

> *“One figure stood out among the carnage, someone so large, he could push his way through anyone else in that crowd. With a height of 6’4”, wild black hair, and a chest like a gladiator, he stood out. Slithering to the front row, he ruthlessly pushed aside anyone who stood in his way. Beers were knocked over, their contents spilling out… this was not someone to be messed with."*

That’s the perspective of a young **Alex Skolnick,** who would seven years receive a phone call from that same man he describedafter **Steve “Zetro” Souza** left **Legacy** to join **Exodus. Chuck** inquired about the band that would become **Testament’s** frontman vacancy, and you know the rest of the story. Though there have been many departures and returns of group members and twists and turns to their musical style, **Chuck** and guitarist **Eric Peterson** have been the mainstays guiding Testament for over four decades. Their fourteenth studio album, *Para Bellum,* was released in October 2025 to much acclaim, showcasing a set of songs that collectively may represent the band’s most diverse offering in their storied catalog. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/e2/dbe2ac7e-62ef-4b13-917a-63221a045127/content/images/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-19-at-10.38.23-PM.png)

(photo credit: Leca Suzuki)

Ahead of the group’s upcoming **Thrash of the Titans** 2026 tour with **Overkill** and **Destruction**, I had a chance to catch up with Chuck and speak about a number of topics, including: 

- the songwriting process for *Para Bellum*, the diverse nature of the songs on the record and how each stands alone, the inspiration behind “Infanticide A.I.,” and why it was time to include another ballad on a **Testament** record.
- his process for developing lyrics to songs, how working with the riffs from **Eric Peterson** helps him create vocal melodies, and the trial and error of deciding what vocal style to use.
- how the addition of drummer **Chris Dovas** has influenced and reinvigorated the group, the irony of now being influenced by bands **Testament** once inspired, and how the band is curating the setlist for **Thrash of the Titans**.
- the *Practice What You Preach* 35th anniversary tour, the beauty of a show ending at 10:00pm, the possibility of future anniversary tours for *Souls of Black* and *The Ritual*, and **Chuck’s** recent appearance with **Metal Allegiance** at **NAMM**.
- **Testament’s** cover of “Seek and Destroy” for a compilation dedicated to *Kill ‘Em All*, the importance of **Metallica** in the Bay Area thrash scene, memories of **Cliff Burton**, a pop quiz about the quote mentioned above, and reflections on how long **Testament** can keep going.

You can view the entire interview **HERE:**

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**Chuck** was a pleasure to speak with and I thank him for taking the time to answer all of my questions thoroughly and carefully. Be sure to check out **Testament** on tour in the United States this spring on the Thrash of the Titans 2026 tour alongside Overkill and Destruction. Ticket information can be found below:

[Thrash of the Titans 2026 Tickets](https://www.ticketmaster.com/testament-tickets/artist/736279?ref=thisdayinmetal.com)

If you haven't secured a copy of *Para Bellum* yet, you can do so at the link here: 

[Order Testament's "Para Bellum"](https://www.nuclearblast.com/pages/album/para-bellum?ref=thisdayinmetal.com)