As previously reported, Bay Area thrash legends TESTAMENT have entered The Billboard 200 at #59 this week with their new release, The Formation Of Damnation. Over 11,000 copies of the album were sold in it's first week to achieve this position.

Other first-week chart entries include:

Top Hard Rock Album - #4

Germany - #15

Top Rock Album - #16

Austria - #23

Norway - #29

European Top 100 - #30

Sweden - #32

Top Comprhensive Album - #62

Denmark - #90

Canada - #94, #12 on Metal Top 50

UK - #186

About the recent chart postions, Testament members commented:

“It’s nice to see heavy metal make a statement in such a pop climate.” - Chuck Billy

“We are just stoked to have the record out finally, thanks to all the fans

who went out pick it up so eagerly, and if you haven’t yet, off you go.” - Eric Peterson

“While chart positions are not our priority we are nonetheless thrilled and

would like to thank everyone who is supporting Testament in 2008.

Cheers!” - Alex Skolnick

Upcoming Testament tour dates include:

July

31 - Minneapolis, MN - Epic

Testament with JUDAS PRIEST:

July

22 - Seattle, WA - Wamu Theater
23 - Victoria, BC, - Save On Foods Memorial
24 - Vancouver, BC, - General Motors Place
26 - Calgary, AB, - McMahon Stadium -Monsters of Rock
27 - Edmonton, AB, - Shaw Conference Centre
29 - Saskatoon, SK, - Credit Union Centre
30 - Winnipeg, MB, - MTS Centre

Testament with Judas Priest, HEAVEN AND HELL, and MOTÖRHEAD:

August

3 - Montréal, Québec - Foufoune's Electriques
6 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center
7 - Bristow, VA - Nissan Pavilion
9 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
10 - Wantagh, NY - Jones Beach Amphitheater
12 - Buffalo, NY - Erie County Fair (no Judas Priest)
13 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Molson Amphitheatre
15 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Casino
16 - Burgettstown, PA - Post Gazette Pavilion
18 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Center
19 - Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
20 - St Louis, MO - Pageant Theatre
21 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom (Testament only)
22 - Dallas, TX - Superpages.com Center
23 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Pavilion
24 - San Antonio, TX - Verizon Wireless Ampitheater
26 - Farmington, NM - Gators
27 - Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion
28 - Phoenix, AZ - The Cricket Pavilion
29 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto
30 - Devore, CA - Hyundai Pavilion
31 - San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheater