Louie Clemente (born January 23, 1965) is a former drummer for the Bay Area

thrash metal Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...

band Testament. He is known for being a part of Testament's original line-up.

Testament

Clemente joined Testament in 1983 when they were called Legacy, and appeared on their first five studio albums, ''

The Legacy The Legacy may refer to: * '' Le Legs'' or ''The Legacy'', a play by Pierre de Marivaux * The Legacy (professional wrestling), a former professional wrestling faction in World Wrestling Entertainment * ''The Legacy'' (album), an album by Testament ...

'' (1987), '' The New Order'' (1988), ''

Practice What You Preach ''Practice What You Preach'' is the third studio album by American thrash metal band Testament, released in August 1989 via Atlantic/ Megaforce. Propelled by the singles "Greenhouse Effect", "The Ballad" and the title track " Practice What You ...

'' (1989), ''

Souls of Black ''Souls of Black'' is the fourth studio album by American thrash metal band Testament. It was released on October 9, 1990. Production and musical style While ''Souls of Black'' saw Testament staying true to their thrash sound, it saw several cha ...

'' (1990) and '' The Ritual'' (1992), as well as the live EP '' Live at Eindhoven'' (1987). In 1992 he left the band at the same time as guitarist

Alex Skolnick Alex Skolnick (born September 29, 1968) is an American musician. He is best known as the lead guitarist and one of the songwriters of the thrash metal band Testament and has played with several other bands, including The Alex Skolnick Trio, Tr ...

. Clemente moved to a more stable career outside music, but agreed to share drum duties in 2005 during the classic reunion line-up in London. Unable to perform touring duties, after not having played a full set for 13 years, Clemente never officially rejoined Testament, but has called the London show one of the top points of his life. He has not played with Testament since. By 2021, Clemente was Testament's longest-serving drummer, having been a member of the band for nine years; this record was surpassed by drummer

Gene Hoglan Eugene Victor Hoglan II (born August 31, 1967) is an American drummer, acclaimed for his creativity in drum arrangements, including use of abstract devices for percussion effects and his trademark lengthy double-kick drum rhythms. Though his pla ...

, who has been in the band from when he rejoined in 2011 to 2022, fourteen years after briefly being in the band for their seventh studio album '' Demonic''. Clemente also holds the distinction of being the only drummer to record at least five albums with the band. During his tenure in Testament, he played Tama drums and

Paiste Paiste (English pronunciation: , ) is a Swiss musical instrument manufacturing company. It is the world's third largest manufacturer of cymbals, gongs, and metal percussion. is an Estonian word that means "shine". Apart from cymbals and gong ...

cymbals.

Personal life

Clemente has a daughter named Angelina (born January 28, 1985) and a grandson named Felix.

References

American heavy metal drummers 1965 births Living people 20th-century American drummers American male drummers 20th-century American male musicians {{US-drummer-stub