Eric Peterson (guitarist)
Eric Peterson | |
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![]() Peterson performing in 2022 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Eric Stanley Peterson |
Born | (1964-05-14) May 14, 1964 (age 60) |
Origin | Berkeley, California, U.S. |
Genres | Thrash metal, heavy metal, death metal, black metal |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals |
Years active | 1983–present |
Member of | Testament, Dragonlord |
Eric Stanley Peterson (born May 14, 1964) is an American musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist of the thrash metal band Testament and the only remaining original member left in the band, which first started in 1983 under the name Legacy. He and lead vocalist Chuck Billy are the only members to appear on all of the band's studio albums.
Peterson also has a side project black metal band called Dragonlord, in which he plays guitar and also sings. In Testament, Peterson was originally a rhythm guitarist while Alex Skolnick handled all lead work. More recently though, Peterson plays leads along with Skolnick.
Musical influences
Peterson has cited Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Kiss, Judas Priest, Boston, Scorpions, UFO, Montrose, Pat Travers and Mahogany Rush (with Frank Marino) as influences and inspirations to him.[1] When forming the sound of Legacy/Testament, he had been influenced by the band's Bay Area peers Metallica and Exodus, in addition to NWOBHM bands such as Judas Priest, Venom, Saxon and Angel Witch, and European heavy metal bands like Mercyful Fate.[1]
Personal life
His father was of Swedish descent and his mother was of Mexican descent.
Peterson was married to Kirk Hammett's ex-wife Rebecca, with whom he has one child. They are now divorced.[2]
Equipment
Peterson's main guitars have been Gibson models for most of his career in Testament, primarily a black Explorer model and a Les Paul. Recently, however, he is endorsing Dean Guitars and has been using his own signature Dean V guitar.
- Amplifier: Kemper, Marshall JVM series 210 watt head, Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier Heads, and EVH 5150 heads
- Cabinets: Cathedral Guitar Cabinets model: Bishop (4x12)(on tour in Europe since 2022), Mesa 4x12 Recto Cabinets loaded with Celestion vintage 30s & EVH III Cabinets
- Effects: Dunlop Cry Baby from Hell Wah, Boss TU-2 Tuner, MXR Flanger, MXR Stereo Chorus, TC Electronic Nova Delay
- Cords: Monster Cable
- Guitars: Dean Cadillac, Dean Michael Schenker V, Gibson Flying V, Dean Eric Peterson Signature OldSkull V
- Strings: DR Gauge 10–52(tuned one AND half step down, i.e. Db Gb B E Ab Db or C# F# B E G# c#)
- Pickups: Dean Flying V: EMG 85 (neck) & EMG 81 (bridge), Dean Time Capsule: Dimarzio Super Distortion Zebras, Dean Cadillac: Seymor Duncan '59 (sh-1n neck) & jazz (sh-2 middle), jb (sh-4 bridge)
- Picks: Dunlop Purple & Green sharp
Discography
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Testament%2C_Skogsr%C3%B6jet_2012_3.jpg/220px-Testament%2C_Skogsr%C3%B6jet_2012_3.jpg)
With Legacy
- Demo 1 (1984)
- Demo 2 (1985)
With Testament
- The Legacy (1987)
- The New Order (1988)
- Practice What You Preach (1989)
- Souls of Black (1990)
- The Ritual (1992)
- Return to the Apocalyptic City (1993)
- Low (1994)
- Demonic (1997)
- The Gathering (1999)
- First Strike Still Deadly (2001)
- The Formation of Damnation (2008)
- Dark Roots of Earth (2012)
- Brotherhood of the Snake (2016)
- Titans of Creation (2020)
With Dragonlord
- Rapture (2001)
- Black Wings of Destiny (2005)
- Dominion (2018)
With Leah
- "Dreamland" (2013)
- "Winter Sun" (2015)
Guest appearances
- Old Man's Child – Vermin (2005)
References
- ^ a b "Testament Family Tree — The Metal". givememetal.com. April 8, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
- ^ "Did You Know?". Themurkywaters.tripod.com. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
External links
Media related to Eric Peterson at Wikimedia Commons
- v
- t
- e
- Eric Peterson
- Chuck Billy
- Alex Skolnick
- Steve Di Giorgio
- Chris Dovas
- Greg Christian
- Steve Souza
- Louie Clemente
- Glen Alvelais
- Paul Bostaph
- John Tempesta
- James Murphy
- Jon Dette
- Chris Kontos
- Gene Hoglan
- Dave Lombardo
- Steve Smyth
- Asgeir Mickelson
- "Metal" Mike Chlasciak
- Nick Barker
- Glen Drover
- Alex Bent
- The Legacy
- The New Order
- Practice What You Preach
- Souls of Black
- The Ritual
- Low
- Demonic
- The Gathering
- First Strike Still Deadly
- The Formation of Damnation
- Dark Roots of Earth
- Brotherhood of the Snake
- Titans of Creation
- Live at Eindhoven (EP)
- Seen Between the Lines
- Return to the Apocalyptic City (EP)
- Live at the Fillmore
- Live in London
- Live at Eindhoven '87
- Dark Roots of Thrash
- The Best of Testament
- Signs of Chaos: The Best of Testament
- The Very Best of Testament
- Days of Darkness
- The Spitfire Collection
- "Practice What You Preach"
- Clash of the Titans
- Metal Masters Tour
- American Carnage Tour
- The Bay Strikes Back
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