Testament have spent the early part of 2019 building towards a new album, even eyeing this July as a prospective release date. But while vocalist Chuck Billy was previously tight-lipped about the tone the effort was taking, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick touted Wednesday (April 24) the "ultra heavy riffage" they've been working on for the follow-up to 2016's Brotherhood of the Snake. And they're almost ready to start recording it.

Peterson took to Instagram to share the news. The musician was flanked by his fellow guitarist in a trio of pics that show the Testament twosome woodshedding said riffs. Scroll through below to see the pair in action.

"Great last couple of days with [Skolnick] putting last touches of riffs together and collaborating on ultra heavy riffage and some surprising melodic acoustics," Peterson proclaimed. "Almost ready to start recording!"

It's the latest from the group after their lead vocalist told The Metal Voice they would "hopefully get into the studio by April — that's the goal." He also said the band's new material in no way "resembles the last songs that we wrote."

Speaking to Full Metal Jackie after opening a leg of Slayer's farewell tour last year, Billy described the pressure he and his bandmates felt in continuing the contemporary Testament aesthetic they began with their 1999 eighth album.

"It's more pressure and I think the pressure is good," the singer stated. "Since The Gathering we've been kinda picking up momentum on our honing in our technique on what Testament is — and especially trying to sound more current than established back in the '80s or whatever. I think now it's definitely different."

A few months ago, Skolnick and Peterson shared some of their favorite riffs with Loudwire's Gear Factor. See the video below, and grab Testament's upcoming tour dates — including their Megacruise addition — after the clip.

Testament 2019 Tour Dates

June 16 - Kleylehof, Austria @ Nova Rock
June 18 - Sofia, Bulgaria @ Universiada Hall
June 19 - Kragujevac, Serbia @ Asernal Fest
June 21 - Dessel, Belgium @ Graspop Metal Meeting
June 22 - Rouen, France @ Le 106
June 23 - Clisson, France @ Hellfest
June 25 - Krakow, Poland @ Mystic Festival
June 27 - Bologna, Italy @ Sonic Park
June 29 - Oslo, Norway @ Tons of Rock
June 30 - Sundsvall, Sweden @ Aveny Sundsvall
July 2 - Malmo, Sweden @ Kulturbolaget
July 4 - Roskilde, Denmark @ Roskilde Festival
July 6 - Celeiro, Spain @ Resurrection Festival
July 7 - Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain @ Rock Fest Barcelona
Aug. 1 - Wacken, Germany @ Wacken Open Air
Aug. 2 - Kostrzyn Nad Odra, Poland @ Pol'And'Rock Festival
Aug. 4 - Saint-maurice-de-gourdans, France @ Sylak Open Air
Aug. 6 - Salzburg, Austria @ Rockhouse Salzburg
Aug. 7 - Budapest, Hungary @ Budapest
Aug. 8 - Jaromer, Czech Republic @ Brutal Assault Festival
Aug. 9 - Obermehler, Germany @ Party San
Aug. 10 - Leeuwarden, Netherlands @ Into The Grave
Aug. 12 - Saarbrucken, Germany @ Garage
Aug. 13 - Pratteln, Switzerland @ Konzertfabrick Z7
Aug. 14 - Obertraubling, Germany @ Airport Eventhall
Aug. 15 - Witelshofen, Germany @ Summer Breeze Open Air
Aug. 17 - Trondeheim, Norway @ Pstereo
Oct. 13 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Megacruise

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