Key Takeaways

• Chuck Billy shares emotional reflections on his memoir, highlighting contributions from Rob Halford and Randy Blythe.
• The book explores two distinct phases of his life: before and after his cancer diagnosis.
• Billy emphasizes the importance of the metal community’s support during his battle with cancer.
• Testament is actively working on new music, showcasing their ongoing evolution as a band.

“It brought me to tears,” confesses Testament’s Chuck Billy to Full Metal Jackie when speaking to her about Rob Halford’s contribution to the forward and Randy Blythe’s contribution to the afterword for his new memoir, Holding My Breath: The Two Testaments of Chuck Billy.

The Testament frontman was the guest on Full Metal Jackie’s weekend show, discussing his new memoir and he was moved when it came time to discuss the book’s special contributions.

“I was a big Judas Priest fan and cut school to play guitar and learn all those records,” recalled Billy. “To tour with them and to have Rob in my early years before the first Testament and before my illness and tour with them [meant a lot].

“And then after my illness, getting to meet and tour with Lamb of God and becoming friends with Randy and surfing with them and things like that, that made sense to me as far as the way I split the book, you know?”

The singer admitted he felt it was difficult to ask for the contributions, but admits, “When I got them back, it brought me to tears, the words and the things they had to say. And I was like, ‘Wow, it’s amazing.'”.

Within the discussion, Jackie and Chuck discuss why now was the right time to share his story, the decision to break the story down into his pre-cancer diagnosis and the life he’s lived after and what the support of the metal community meant while he was going through his battle.

Billy also reflects on what it was like coming up in the Bay Area thrash community. And he gives us an update on Testament’s status as they prepare for a new album.

It’s Full Metal Jackie and it is always a pleasure to welcome back Chuck Billy, the legendary vocalist of Testament. This time Chuck is promoting his new memoir, Holding My Breath: The Two Testaments of Chuck Billy. Chuck, you have lived an eventful life filled with triumphs and tribulations, both playing a big part of your story. But here we are in 2026 doing some of your best work with the Para Bellum album, having survived a cancer battle and still going stronger than ever. What does it mean to you to get to this point in life where there’s a great story to tell and a life lived full of accomplishment? And also what makes this the right time to tell the story?

It is all about timing, but once I guess you reach a certain age… because I’ve always told my Testament stories, but never really went back to who Chuck was growing up and what part of that Chuck influenced the band. So at this point in my life, even though I’m kind of a private guy, I thought maybe it’s time to tell the story, especially because, for me, the two testaments of Chuck Billy, there’s the Chuck Billy before cancer, the Chuck after cancer.

So there’s also two lives of Testament: the Testament before cancer and the Testament after, which is two different stories. So it was kinda interesting the way the crossroad happened between those two stories and the native healings I went through with cancer and what came of that cancer. And so it was just interesting thinking back about it, but it was just even more interesting starting to talk about it.

It was really therapeutic in a way and it’s really weird. Sometimes you’re thinking about yourself, rehashing some of these stories, and man, you’re kind of a jerk. You know? So it’s just really weird talking about especially going that far back.

I mean, the book starts out at eight months old.

Oh, wow.

That’s kind of where it all starts, like holding my breath. There’s a whole story in itself about that at eight months old. And that kinda sets the tone for the book and me and how I hold my breath and how holding my breath is kinda getting my way at that age. And I’ve kind of used that holding our breath throughout my whole life and career. I’ve learned talking about it how that’s kind of played into my music life and band life and business life and all that. So it was really therapeutic actually going back and talking about it and reflecting on it all.

chuck billy book cover

Chuck, as you mentioned, the new book cleverly is broken into two testaments: the early years getting into music and Testament’s ascension and then your life going through the cancer diagnosis and what came after. From a narrative perspective, that works great. But when viewing one’s own life, does it feel like it’s been one continuous journey? Or do you feel like your life is a series of chapters with who you are as a person almost starting from scratch based off certain life events?

Well, I think for me, it’s kind of chapters because part of it was, and I don’t know if I’ve ever told you about it, but when I was younger, I thought my life expectancy was gonna be 38 for reasons I can explain later in the book.

People will find out. But when I hit 38, that’s when I was diagnosed; so I thought everything was over at that time. And living now 25 or six years plus past it reflects back on it and what I’ve done after; it’s just an interesting life in the way my career has been in this band for so long—one band, one set of guys—one band partner the whole time.

READ MORE: Testament’s ‘Para Bellum’ Named Loudwire’s Best Metal Album of 2025

I look back and I’m very fortunate because I thought life was gone at 38. And to live a whole nother life after that was the story. So that’s kind of what made me say I think it’s time. I’m in my 60s; maybe it’s time to kinda tell it all—especially ’cause now I’m looking back on it all.

It’s like, yeah; wow. It’s the way things connected talking about it. And again ’cause I got almost like four months of therapy every day; so it was kind of interesting.

It’s Full Metal Jackie. Chuck Billy of Testament with us talking about his memoir, Holding My Breath: The Two Testaments of Chuck Billy. And Chuck, the book offers us some insight on your youth. What was it about music that first pulled you in? When did you know that you might have a future in it as a career? Was there a turning point moment where it just clicked for you?

Well, the clicking point had to be when I got into this band because everything else was just finding my way—demos—and trying to find bands. But once I landed this band—they had a record deal—and that was the target; that was it.

Chuck, it is rare that you realize it in the moment that you’re part of something special. But years later much has been made about the Bay Area thrash scene of the ’80s. What are your recollections of the scene that you came up through? What made Testament stand out from other bands who were coming up at that time?

I don’t know if it was just Testament alone; I think all bands that came up in our area—in the same genre—at that same timeframe found their own identity. I probably had a different approach vocally opposed to some other bands.

Maybe I was a little older; maybe just different style—maybe just for me—my background—and where I was; that’s just what set me apart; I think maybe Testament because we had a different style—a different direction definitely than when Zett (Steve ‘Zetro’ Souza) was in the band—we definitely went a different way then.

Testament, “Shallow People”

Chuck, outside of your band—who do you think had the most promising future among Bay Area bands or musicians? Did anything surprise you about how things eventually played out for bands from your scene?

Well, of course; Metallica is number one. They played at all the right times—all the right venues—the right moves—just everything about them.

God—that whole scene just happened—and grew so quickly—that’s what it was! Every band—and again—I just give credit because everybody didn’t try to follow suit; everybody found their own flavor of thrash metal—and came up with their own identities—which I thought was kind of rare—that we didn’t just try to be Metallica.

A big part of this book delves into your cancer diagnosis. Sometimes bad experiences reveal how others perceive us. Can you speak about support during your battle? What did Thrash of Titans concert mean to you?

Yeah; I mean—the support was overwhelming—totally! Just from around world—support all over! Right away—I dove into my shell—and went right into battle—but when that benefit came along—that in itself was a whole different thing!

I look at it like it’s almost like I took one for team—to actually get Testament back together at that point because that benefit concert was first time we all stepped onstage together—same with Exodus—same with Death Angel—same with Vio-Lence—all these bands put their differences aside—and came together for me—to support me—you know? Of course—the SOD guys came out—and Bill Milano—all support was unreal! Again looking at it—it’s like wow—that brought Testament back together first—but what did for everything else!

And again where I thought “I’m 38—I’ve got cancer—I’m gonna probably… This is it,” because of premonition—you know? Looking now back after going “Wow! What a wow!” All those years thinking that was it—to where I am now—I’m very grateful—very thankful where landed!

Full Metal Jackie! Chuck Billy with us talking about his new memoir! Going through that process brought your spirituality into focus dealing with cancer—is definitely something that’s gonna stick with you! Can you talk about how journey altered your life moving forward? Did impact your music or interaction with others?

I think everywhere! It’s definitely in music—and lyrics—but again seeing things differently! Once we started going back—getting opportunity—to go back touring again… And you know when go on tour—all my friends “Oh—you’re going Europe—you’re so lucky”—it’s like “Yeah—but don’t get see anything”—and never used get see anything! To where almost like phrase “wake up smell roses!” Well—I did—you know?

It’s like appreciated everything—traveling—going sightseeing—doing things missed out on—and seeing through different perspective—I guess—it’s like “Okay—I’m not gonna miss out this time!” kind attitude!

You might think writing music would make transition writing book easy one—but different experience! What did learn about yourself as writer over course putting this book together? Did process scouring over life bring any new revelations person you’ve become today?

I did connect some dots again at holding my breath thing—that’s majority place in my life from eight months till today! After talked about realized what meant put perspective way played rest my life—that’s big part story for sure! Yeah—and then just cancer stuff—that just big part my life when face gotta go right at! Very fortunate come out other side!

And come out other side something very special top—it’s like wow! Look back reflect now very lucky where at—with my life—with band—with everything!

You’ve made many friendships throughout years Testament metal industry! What does mean have Rob Halford Randy Blythe contributing forward afterword? Are there other special relationships formed peers industry stuck throughout years?

Yeah—so many! So many! But those two particular were two sides my story because big Judas Priest fan cut school play guitar learn all those records—to tour them have Rob early years before first Testament before illness tour them!

And then after illness getting meet tour Lamb God becoming friends Randy surfing them things made sense far way split book—you know? That’s another hard thing ask somebody do kind stuff!

It’s just weird thing—you know? But when got them back brought me tears words things they had say—and thought “Wow—it’s amazing!” And had some other people contribute too!

I’m sure gonna be coming help contribute something myself cause still aren’t finished putting some things together—so we can talk!

Yeah—for sure! Absolutely! Anything anything anything!

Chuck Billy Testament us! Para Bellum arrived last year receiving best reviews career! Band seems clicking better than ever! How does feel member Testament 2026? Is there anything creatively moving inspiring moment?

It’s such great feeling! Again—it’s where everybody personal lives! Eric Chris are fire—they already have eight ten songs ready next record ready go—they’re working hard cracking at!


And again—that’s good working relationship going those two right now! So good time—I’m excited cause not have wait four years—we’re gonna shoot hopefully next year get studio sometime—we got busy touring schedule lined next year! So see happens—but moving forward writing more music just gonna keep doing what do!

Thanks Chuck Billy interview Holding My Breath: The Two Testaments Chuck Billy available now Stay date Chuck Testament website Facebook X Instagram TikTok platforms Find hear Full Metal Jackie weekend radio show here.

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