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Where light exists, shadows are never far behind. Joy and sorrow move as one. Inseparable and intertwined, like love and grief echoing through the same fragile heartbeat. It is within this delicate tension that something profoundly human takes shape: The quiet realization that beauty often carries pain, and that loss is, in itself, a reflection […]

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He screamed his way into metal history. Then cancer tried to silence him for good.

Chuck Billy — the iconic frontman of Bay Area thrash legends Testament — has never been a man who holds back. For four decades, he has stood at the centre of one of heavy metal’s most enduring bands, a force of nature behind the microphone and a towering presence in a genre built on ferocity and survival. Now, for the first time, he tells the whole truth.

Holding My Breath: The Two Testaments of Chuck Billy, publishing November 10, 2026, from Permuted Press, is not your typical rock memoir. Structured as two interlocking testaments, it traces the full arc of a life lived at maximum volume — and then something louder than any riff: the fight to stay alive.

The Old Testament plunges readers into the explosive birth of Bay Area thrash metal — the formation of Testament, the rivalries, the brotherhood, and the reckless, glorious chaos of becoming one of the genre’s most powerful voices. The New Testament is something rarer and more raw: a frontman at 38, blindsided by a devastating cancer diagnosis, drawing on his Native American and Mexican-American heritage, spiritual healers, visions, and the fierce love of a metal community that refused to let him go. At the centre of that community stands the legendary Thrash of the Titans benefit concert — one of the most galvanising moments in heavy metal history — which rallied old rivals into brothers and helped ignite a genre revival while keeping Chuck Billy in the fight.

“This book is about two versions of me that are really just one story,” says Billy. “The guy who thought he was invincible, and the guy who learned how fragile life really is.”

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Mark Dean was lucky enough to sit down with the legendary vocalist and discuss his own personal Testament.

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Antihero Magazine: Chuck, congratulations on “Holding My Breath.” This book feels like a landmark moment. Before we get into the deeper chapters, how does it feel to finally have your story out there?

Chuck Billy: Probably started maybe four or five months ago. I was approached. It wasn’t really my idea. I was approached to do it and talked about what kind of book it would be, and everything just kind of snowballed really quickly. Next thing you know, I had an agent, I had a publisher, and I had a record deal — I mean a book deal. It came quickly. So, for about four months, I put in talking to my ghostwriter, and that’s about talking to him maybe three or four times a week, and I put a lot of time in with him.

Antihero Magazine: Your book frames your life as “two testaments.” When did you first realise you were living in these dual identities — the private Chuck and the public force of nature onstage? Was it an easy thing to put it together? Because it obviously deals with your whole career right up to the present, pretty much. Was it easy to recall those earlier memories?

Chuck Billy: Well, I mean, it was easy to go back and remember them. I needed some help on a few, but it was definitely not knowing what I was getting into when I started or how to approach it. It wasn’t until we started talking and working out and came to realise — especially trying to figure out the title and everything — that there was a good crossroad story in there when I got ill with cancer. There are two testaments: before cancer and the testament after, and there’s a Chuck before and a Chuck after. So it kind of made sense, like, okay, let’s go there with the two Testaments of Chuck. So that’s kind of how we figured out, okay, now that’s where we’re going to go.

So that’s how we divided the story and knew how to start approaching it. So we went back, and what I liked about other people’s biographies was that they would talk about things — who they were before they were somebody. I enjoyed that part of it. So I figured, okay, if I’m going to do a book, I would want to include that part of me, because I’ve already told 40 years of Testament stories and history and stuff, and maybe a little bit before, but not the early years of who I was. And I think that played an important part in the story of who I am in Testament. So I thought that would be a cool part I really wanted to include.

Antihero Magazine: You’ve always carried your Native American heritage with pride, but writing forces a different kind of reflection. What did the creation process reveal about how your heritage shaped your voice, your view of the world, and your place in metal?

Chuck Billy: Well, I mean, obviously, we all know what the Native American part played in my cancer recovery and battle. That was one thing. So I think going through what I went through and the healing part of it — probably born religious and raised religious — to go through that experience, to come out of it more spiritual than religious, I think, after going through all that. So definitely it puts a different perspective as part of that, part of faith, I guess.

Antihero Magazine: Testament’s music is fierce and defiant, but memoir writing requires vulnerability. What is the hardest truth to put on the page? Were there any particular memories that you found difficult in putting out there for the world to share?

Chuck Billy: No, but I mean, I know growing up as a child, I was the big kid, and I always kind of — and I wouldn’t say bully — but I had my way with things because I was the bigger kid. And I think maybe that’s the part when you go back and talk about that, you kind of think like, “Man, I was kind of like a rough kid, or a bully, or a mean kid” — or just competitive, maybe. That’s what the real word is, because I was raised always trying to play sports and athletics, and it was just the competition part of it for me. So maybe it was that.

Antihero Magazine: Obviously, many bands of Testament’s longevity have undergone lineup changes over the years. Which chapter of the book most surprised you in how it reframed your relationships with past members and present bandmates?

Chuck Billy: Well, I think I talked it out in the book, but also experienced firsthand — maybe not talked it through with Alex and the guys when they left the band — but assumed why, and maybe it was because we were just too young and not having the common sense and courtesy and respect to give each other space at that young of an age. You’re just doing your thing, partying, touring, and not thinking about that part, because especially in those first four or five years, we put a record out for the first four years of our career every year — tour and record. So there wasn’t much time to —

Antihero Magazine: Sit down and have those types of conversations?

Chuck Billy: No. And I think being young and not knowing how to respect other people’s space and feelings maybe drove some tension between us all and that caused the split up. So maybe learning after getting back together again — figuring out growing up — that that is an important part to make sure we don’t let that happen again, and figure out how not to push buttons, but how to get along better, and maybe even how to appreciate it more now than we did when we were young, which we probably didn’t appreciate. We probably took it for granted.

Antihero Magazine: Yeah. Thrash metal has survived many changes and reinventions over the years. Is there a survival instinct that you didn’t realise you had until you wrote the book? Is there anything that creating the book made you find out about yourself or made you more aware of?

Chuck Billy: Well, I think the title of the book, “Holding My Breath,” is a big common denominator throughout my life. I’ve connected what that means and what that references to and how I’ve used that “holding my breath” terminology — getting my way in my younger life, through my band life — and just the way that’s played into it. So I think that’s probably one eye-opening thing I’ve learned, talking all of it through, is that from the minute I held my breath at eight months old till now, trying to get my way, it’s still the same guy. Especially after telling my story and looking at it and going, wow, I had three things to do in my life — I was going to be an athlete, a musician, or an architect. Those were the three choices I had laid out, and this is the one that I went with.

Antihero Magazine: How has your voice survived? I mean, a lot of — let’s be fair — musicians of your era, as they get older, their voices change. Probably not as strong, not as forceful, not as powerful. But you don’t seem to have lost anything of that part of your vocals.

Chuck Billy: I think I’ve gotten better. I think I’ve learned to use my instrument to the best of its ability. I know a lot of range and all that, but I do what I do how I do it. I think just over the years, I do things now personally to take care of myself. I don’t sing out of my abilities — I kind of stay within my range, and I kind of go on the road and try to be as healthy as I can to not lose my voice. If I get sick and lose my voice, then it’s pretty much downhill the rest of the tour from there. So I’m always conscious to try to stay healthy and stay away from the sick.

Antihero Magazine: How do you retain your enjoyment for doing some of those early songs — “Over The Wall” or “Do Or Die,” for example — tracks like that? I mean, you must have sung them thousands of times, but you still — I have seen you many times over the years — it still sounds like you’re singing it for the first time, those early songs.

Chuck Billy: I mean, those early songs carry some weight and last through the test of time. Those were some really early modern creations that were done way ahead of their time. I think Eric and Alex, when they’re 16 and 18 or 19 years old, writing some really complex, advanced stuff — I thought — for young kids writing those songs, they just stand up.

Antihero Magazine: And you obviously still enjoy singing them?

Chuck Billy: Yeah.

Antihero Magazine: Okay. Obviously, the book deals with your serious health battles. How did writing about those experiences change your relationship with your own body, your endurance, and your sense of mortality? Because I’m sure when you were going through all that, it made you strikingly more aware of your own sense of mortality, which maybe you wouldn’t have had to think about before.

Chuck Billy: Well, I mean, I think, like I said, I consciously try to take care of myself vocally. These days, I’ll go home — I smoke weed at home — but I don’t go on tour. I clean up, dry up, and don’t drink all night. We’ll have a couple of beers on stage and that’s probably about it. So those little things like that are just kind of the routine that makes sure that I can get to tomorrow’s performance.

Antihero Magazine: Obviously, thrash metal as a musical genre has been around for many, many years. Do you listen to new bands of that genre? What sort of music do you listen to away from the stage when you’re not touring?

Chuck Billy: Well, I listen to my old stuff I grew up with — probably like all of us — stuff that takes you back to those good times. And I think we all have a sweet spot for bands that have a certain part in our life that mean a lot. I’m here in Florida because I came to see Triumph and April Wine — I’m a big old school Triumph and April Wine fan. I love them, and so I had to come here to see them.

Antihero Magazine: Have you been to the concert yet?

Chuck Billy: Yeah, it was Saturday. It was awesome.

Antihero Magazine: How was Triumph? Good?

Chuck Billy: Amazing. They have a great, great band — amazing show. It was great to see Rik Emmett just talk to the crowd and show his gratitude and apologise for waiting so long to do this. And he’s having such a good time out there now.

Antihero Magazine: Did you have all three original guys on stage? Because I think there were other musicians going to be part of the band on stage and things like that?

Chuck Billy: Yeah, except for the bass player. Mike, the bass player, couldn’t make it. He’s still alive, but he didn’t make it. They had a fill-in band, but the drummer and Rik are still there. Yeah.

Antihero Magazine: And obviously that’s going to take you back to growing up — probably one of the bands you saw at a young age. Do you listen to other upcoming new bands? Do you keep an ear to the ground on what’s happening, specifically in the thrash metal genre or not?

Chuck Billy: I don’t go out and seek it, but I do have SiriusXM Radio, so I’m turned on and exposed to new bands I haven’t heard before. And I can kind of see right now we’re at a crossroad where there’s a lot of new bands coming up making names for themselves, which is great — but I wish a lot of new bands would try to find their own identities as far as vocalists go, because a lot of them are kind of mimicking each other and it’s starting to blend and sound a lot the same to me.

Antihero Magazine: Obviously, you’re doing these interviews to promote the book. Do you have anything specific in terms of book promotion? Are you going to go out to places, maybe touring the book, chatting about the book? Anything planned?

Chuck Billy: Yeah, I’m going to do a book tour when this comes out. I’m going to do some specific cities when launching it, but then when I go on tour next year, I’ll be doing book appearances and store appearances and stuff like that on tour.

Antihero Magazine: Anything in Europe and the UK, or is it just in the States at the moment?

Chuck Billy: In the States at the moment, because when we go to Europe this summer, it’s not out yet. So maybe it will be next year, but we haven’t made plans that far out yet.

Antihero Magazine: Okay. Just a final question — you’ve done many of these interviews over the years. If the roles were reversed and you were sitting face-to-face with somebody, who would you like to interview? Maybe not even a musician — any personal hero or inspiration that you’ve had throughout your life?

Chuck Billy: The number one pick would probably be either Rob Halford or Ronnie James Dio.

Antihero Magazine: Obviously, I’m sure over the years you’ve met those guys, probably toured with them as well.

Chuck Billy: Yeah.

Antihero Magazine: Did you never get that opportunity to sit down and have those conversations with them?

Chuck Billy: Oh yeah, always — especially Ronnie, because we toured the Dehumanizer tour in Alex’s final farewell tour, ’94 — I believe, or ’92, maybe it was — in Europe, and it was a cold winter tour. So every day I got to smoke joints and drink a nice pint with Ronnie backstage after the show and have a nice chat till we got on the buses. So we did that for a month. Those were some good, cherished times.

Antihero Magazine: Chuck, that’s great. Thank you very much. Good luck with the book. Hopefully, we will see you back in the UK and Europe, maybe at festivals.

Chuck Billy: Make sure your readers visit chuckbillybook.com to pre-order. And we have some unique stuff — maybe we’ll get Rob and Randy to sign some of the editions. Look out for some bundles — we’re going to have some cool stuff. So, chuckbillybook.com — you can get all the information there.

Antihero Magazine: Well, again, thanks. That’s great. Thanks for talking to me.

Chuck Billy: All right. All right, Mark. Have a good one, bro. Cheers.

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https://chuckbillybook.com

Searing Memoir Holding My Breath: The Two Testaments of Chuck Billy 

Arrives November 10, 2026

The post Two Testaments, One Truth – An Interview with Chuck Billy appeared first on Antihero Magazine.

Rockshots Records is proud to announce the release of “Electric Resurrection”, the debut single and official video from Synthetica-X, the new project conceived by Italian keyboardist, composer and producer Andrea De Paoli, known for his work with acclaimed acts including Labÿrinth, Vision Divine, Shadows of Steel and Chaos Venture. Described as the first transmission from the Synthetica-X universe, “Electric Resurrection” introduces a fusion of heavy […]

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Melodic hard rockers NESTOR unleash the first single from the upcoming live album, Live at Gothenburg Film Studios (out August 14, 2026, via Napalm Records) with nostalgic “On The Run”! The studio version, released on the celebrated debut album Kids in a ghost town (2021), counts as one of the biggest NESTOR hits to date and has gathered millions of streams. Now, the band’s […]

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This is the second album from UK sludge/post-metal band Urzah. A Tranquil Void is the 49-minute successor to 2024’s The Scorching Gaze. This debut record caused more than a few to pay attention to Urzah’s progressive, sludgy post-metal. Have they band managed to capitalise on this for its follow up? The short answer is yes. … Continue reading “Urzah – A Tranquil Void (Review)”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPHIOLATRY SIGNS WITH LEGENDARY COMBAT RECORDS
Canadian/Brazilian Brutal Death Metal Force Enters New Era Following Acclaimed Return Album Serpent’s Verdict
The underground doesn’t hand out second chances. Ophiolatry never asked for one.
After nearly three decades of sonic warfare, the Canadian/Brazilian brutal death metal unit has officially signed with Combat Records, marking a major new chapter in the band’s long and uncompromising history.
Forged in the Brazilian extreme metal underground in 1998, Ophiolatry built its reputation through sheer brutality, technical precision, and an unrelenting refusal to soften its sound. From the early chaos of Opposite Monarchy to the devastating force of Anti-Evangelistic Process and Transmutation, the band carved its name into the international death metal scene alongside some of the genre’s most respected acts.
Now, after the triumphant return album Serpent’s Verdictand renewed momentum across the global metal community, Ophiolatry joins the reborn Combat Records roster, aligning themselves with one of the most historically important names in heavy music.
Originally responsible for helping launch and define bands like Megadeth, Exodus, Nuclear Assault, and Helstar during the 1980s thrash explosion, Combat Records returned in 2026 under new ownership with a renewed mission to champion uncompromising extreme music. Ophiolatry now stands among the first wave of artists carrying that banner into its next era.
“We at Combat Records are absolutely thrilled to work with Ophiolatry and look forward to spending time together,” states Combat Records CEO Alexander Stojak.
CEO Robert Dujmusic adds:
“They were good and pleasant conversations, and we were able to quickly reach an agreement on cooperation. This shows that we have the same vision of metal that we want to present to the world.”
Ophiolatry’s current lineup features Jaime Verón on vocals, founding member Jhorge “Dog” Duarte on drums, Diego Santiago on bass, and Joubert Thaumiel on guitars, forming what many consider the strongest and most focused incarnation of the band to date.
Known for combining merciless blast beats, savage rhythmic shifts, deep death metal vocals, and technically intense guitar work, Ophiolatry continues the tradition of legendary Brazilian extreme metal while pushing the genre into darker and more cinematic territory. Their lyrical themes explore spiritual revenge, resistance, and indigenous struggle with a depth rarely found in modern death metal.
The band’s latest full-length, Serpent’s Verdict, released through Wormhole Death Records, further cemented their evolution with thirteen tracks of focused aggression mastered by legendary producer Dan Swanö (Opeth, Dissection, Dark Funeral). Their visual ambitions have also gained international recognition, with the video for “Jesus Complex” receiving a Badge of Honor at the Berlin Music Video Awards 2026.
With Combat Records now behind them, Ophiolatry enters this next phase with renewed fire, global reach, and no intention of slowing down.
More information regarding upcoming releases, videos, and tour dates will be announced soon.
Ophiolatry Lineup
Jaime Verón – Vocals
Jhorge “Dog” Duarte – Drums
Diego Santiago – Bass
Joubert Thaumiel – Guitar


Contact & Links
Combat Records
https://www.combatrecords.net
https://www.instagram.com/combat_records
https://www.tiktok.com/@combatrecords_offical
info@combatrecords.net
Ophiolatry
https://www.instagram.com/ophiolatry
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063556233508
https://www.youtube.com/@ophiolatryofficial2679
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5X09NvSKxkSu1ohjHQaC0v
https://ophiolatry.com.br
band@ophiolatry.com.br

Today, Caligari Records announces July 17th as the international release date for the highly anticipated second demo of the UK’s ÄXE, Autogeddon, on cassette tape format. Hailing from the accursed streets of London, ÄXE delivered an uncompromising onslaught on their first demo, Warriors of the Death Raid, set loose upon the unsuspecting underground in May 2025. A successful live debut and a killing […]

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Mal Not Bad is an LA-based artist and producer who’s collaborated with Hayley Williams, Mk.gee, Jay Som, and more. Their full-length debut This Is Your New Life arrived in 2024, and today they’re announcing its aptly titled followup Sophomore. The new single “WIDC” is here now. SZA, the documentary The Last Dance, and Frank Ocean served as…

The post Mal Not Bad Announces New Album <em>Sophomore</em>: Hear “WIDC” appeared first on Stereogum.

If you stop by this website with any regularity, there’s a good chance you’ve heard some music with Kevin Copeland in the credits. The Vermont/NYC producer has worked on albums by artists such as Hannah Frances, Allegra Krieger, Lily Seabird, and Lamplight — a smattering of the best indie folk-rock on the Eastern seaboard —…

The post Kevin Copeland Announces New Album <em>Only Love Songs</em>: Hear “Hotel Bar” & “Stay” appeared first on Stereogum.