TESTAMENT – Practice What You Preach (2026 Remastered) *HQ*
320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2
Iconic Bay Area thrash band TESTAMENT has announced the upcoming remastered reissue of their coveted 1989 album, ”Practice What You Preach”, on May 8th via Nuclear Blast Records.
The ”Practice What You Preach (2026 Remaster)” reissue was remastered by Justin Shturtz (SEVENDUST, TARJA) at the legendary Sterling Sound. It will be available digitally and 180G vinyl on Yellow and Orange Swirl with Black Splatter (limited to 1250 worldwide) and is packaged with brand new artwork from Bill Benson (who also designed the original cover art).
Commenting on the reissue, Chuck Billy says: “I am stoked about the remastered ”Practice What You Preach” release with Nuclear Blast. With new artwork and Bigger sound than the original. Drop the needle and bang your head!!”
Testament’s 1989 album ”Practice What You Preach” is widely regarded as a pivotal, melodic thrash classic that helped solidify their status as metal giants. It is noted for more socially conscious lyrics and enhanced technicality compared to its predecessors, featuring standout tracks like the a top-tier thrash anthem title track, and “The Ballad” (which is heavy anyway.).
Another remarkable thing on ”Practice What You Preach” is the mix. Everybody can be clearly heard, even more with this fresh remaster.
If Testament’s first two albums served as reflections of one another, then ”Practice What You Preach” represents the band jumping into the next phase of its development. The occult lyrics and aura have been replaced by political themes that had gotten common with other thrash groups and the songwriting prioritizes more steady riff work and melodic hooks instead of the faster bashings of old, never quite going into groove metal but almost predicting it in a way.
To use Metallica terms, this album feels almost like the missing link between Master of Puppets and …And Justice for All. Of course that the …And Justice for All comparison is comically undermined by how domineering the bass guitar gets throughout. Bassist Greg Christian always had a solid presence on albums past but on ”Practice What You Preach” is pushed to the forefront, always heard with thick bouncing chugs alongside the guitars and even leading the charge with intros on songs like ‘Perilous Nation’. It’s the sort of production quirk that some could find obnoxious but I’ve always found that it gives the album a more distinct character.
The title track is easily one of the band’s catchiest songs and arguably one of the best thrash anthems, combining it’s more upbeat pace with the album’s most engaging vocal lines and some strong guitar/bass hustle. “Time is Coming” and “Blessed in Contempt” also do well to balance their catchiness with the more solid musicianship.
I also enjoy “Sins of Omission,” it may not a particularly speedy number but I appreciate the much harder hitting riffs and more urgent vocals.
Of all the albums in Testament’s discography, ”Practice What You Preach” is among the more accessible, and features several songs that remain fan favorites. In many ways, it’s very ’80s but still metallic and punchy.
Highly Recommended
01 – Practice What You Preach (Remastered 2026)
02 – Perilous Nation (Remastered 2026)
03 – Envy Life (Remastered 2026)
04 – Time Is Coming (Remastered 2026)
05 – Blessed in Contempt (Remastered 2026)
06 – Greenhouse Effect (Remastered 2026)
07 – Sins of Omission (Remastered 2026)
08 – The Ballad (Remastered 2026)
09 – Nightmare (Coming Back to You) (Remastered 2026)
10 – Confusion Fusion (Remastered 2026)
Chuck Billy – vocals
Alex Skolnick – lead and rhythm guitar
Eric Peterson – rhythm and lead guitar
Greg Christian – bass
Louie Clemente – drums
with:
Mark Walters – backing vocals
Bogdan Jablonski – backing vocals
Willy Lang – backing vocals
Elliot Cahn – backing vocals
BUY
shop.nuclearblast.com/products/testament-practice-what-you-preach-remastered
amazon.com/Practice-What-Preach-2026-Remastered/dp/B0GNSR1YK7
