Chuck Billy Jokes the “Shitty Record” Still Hasn’t Arrived

Testament frontman Chuck Billy recently opened up about the band’s forthcoming studio release, “Para Bellum.” In a conversation with The Metal Voice, he reflected on the group’s creative journey and expressed his enthusiasm for what lies ahead. After more than forty years in the metal scene, Billy emphasized how the band continues to push itself creatively.

“I’m just excited for people to hear the new album ‘Para Bellum,’” Billy said. “It’s one of them things where you’re always trying to outdo yourself every record, and somehow we did it again.”

Billy joked about the group’s consistency, questioning how long they can keep up such a streak. “And the downside is, when are we going to write a shitty record?” he continued. “We’re due to write a shitty record. It’s coming up. So, um but this one isn’t it yet.”

He further highlighted that despite the decades behind them, Testament’s sound remains modern and invigorated. “So, I’m just happy and looking forward to the fans to listen to it, check out because to me, this record sounds current,” he said. “It sounds modern. It doesn’t sound like a band that’s been 40 years around rehashing the same riffs, going through the same motion, taking the easy route out.”

For Billy, the passion of creating new music still fuels the band’s drive. “We’re still being challenged. We’re still getting creative after 40 years of making music, which is awesome,” Billy said. “If we didn’t tour anymore, I would just be happy creating this new music.”

The remarks come as Testament gears up for the official release of “Para Bellum,” which Eddie Trunk confirmed will arrive on October 10, 2025, via Nuclear Blast. The album is described as both a battle cry and a commentary on humanity’s uneasy relationship with technology and modern turmoil. Musically, it’s said to be urgent, razor-sharp, and deeply human.

Fans have already been introduced to this new era through the lead single “Infanticide A.I.” Nuclear Blast praised the track for showcasing the band’s evolution and for the ferocious energy of new drummer Chris Dovas, whose blistering speed injects fresh life into Testament’s sound.

Guitarist Eric Peterson also shared his perspective, noting the time and dedication poured into the album. It took five years since “Titans of Creation” to complete, and the result is a collection packed with heavy, melodic, and innovative material.

“It will be tough to pick songs for their live shows due to the quality and variety of the new material,” Peterson noted, underscoring the strength of the record.

With its themes of technology and modern chaos, “Para Bellum” reinforces Testament’s ability to stay relevant while remaining rooted in thrash metal tradition. Billy’s comments echo this sentiment, showing that even after four decades, Testament is still forging forward rather than resting on past achievements.