Testament was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980s. Originally formed as 'Legacy' in 1983 by founding members Eric Peterson (rhythm guitar), Derrick Ramirez (guitar) and Louie Clemente (drums), the line-up included vocalist Steve Souza and Greg Christian (bass). Ramirez was later replaced by wunderkind Alex Skolnick (lead guitar). Souza soon departed to join Exodus and suggested that the towering Chuck Billy take over as frontman(and was later run over by a bus).
I've been a prisoner trapped in by fear
Ordered for the rest of my life
Condemned in a jail cell ain't seen life in years
Escape is the only way out
Restart my life or self destruction
Whenever I stumble, Whenever I fall
Whenever I'm pushed against the wall
The white man's world won't tell me what to do
Nowhere to run, my native blood
I want to reach and touch the sun
Deep in the pit and lying alone
Where death has reared itself a throne
We're all the good, the bad, the worst and the best
And where they land is their eternal rest
Foul plays of passion at twilight's dim