# Testure

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Song by Skinny Puppy

"Testure" Single by Skinny Puppy from the album VIVIsectVI Released 1989 Recorded Mid-1988 Genre Synth-pop electro-industrial industrial dance Length 23:35 (vinyl and CD versions) 20:51 (mini CD version) Label Nettwerk Capitol/EMI Producers Dave Ogilvie cEvin Key Skinny Puppy singles chronology "Censor" (1988) "Testure" (1989) "Tin Omen" (1989) Audio sample file help

Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [1]

**"Testure"** is a song by Canadian [electro-industrial](/source/Electro-industrial) band [Skinny Puppy](/source/Skinny_Puppy), taken from its 1988 album *[VIVIsectVI](/source/VIVIsectVI)* and released as a [single](/source/Single_(music)) in 1989. "Testure" was the group's first and last song to chart on *[Billboards's](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* [Dance Club Songs](/source/Dance_Club_Songs), and it was accompanied with a controversial music video.

## Content

### The song

Three primary versions of "Testure" exist, two of which appear on the single. The album version of "Testure" is a five-minute track with smooth electronics, [fretless bass](/source/Fretless_bass), and a profusion of [samples](/source/Sampling_(music)) from [Martin Rosen](/source/Martin_Rosen_(director))'s 1982 film *[The Plague Dogs](/source/The_Plague_Dogs_(film))*.[2] Its lyrics contain both the title of its host album, *[VIVIsectVI](/source/VIVIsectVI)* (1988), and the album's main themes: [animal rights](/source/Animal_rights) and [testing](/source/Animal_testing).[3][4] *[See Magazine](/source/See_Magazine)* considered "Testure" to be *VIVIsectVI'*s "centerpiece".[5]

"Testure (S.F. Mix)" shortens the song to four minutes and introduces a greater emphasis on samples from *The Plague Dogs*. The fretless bass, played by Dale Plevin, is also featured more prominently than on the album version.[6] This mix went on to appear on the band's 1999 compilation album, *[The Singles Collect](/source/The_Singles_Collect)*, and was used in the song's music video. "Testure (12" Mix)" acts as an extended version of the song, clocking in at eight and a half minutes. This version, remixed and re-edited by Skinny Puppy's own [cEvin Key](/source/CEvin_Key) and [Dave Ogilvie](/source/Dave_Ogilvie),[6] also begins with a protracted series of samples from *The Plague Dogs*.[2] The song's main [synthesizer](/source/Synthesizer) riff does not begin until nearly two minutes in, and [Nivek Ogre](/source/Nivek_Ogre)'s vocals are not introduced until the three minute mark. This extended mix appeared on 1990's *[Twelve Inch Anthology](/source/Twelve_Inch_Anthology)* compilation.

"Testure's" title is most likely a [play](/source/Word_play) on the words "test" and "torture" intended to equate live animal experimentation to torture.

### The single

Prompted by airplay and club attention,[7] "Testure" was released as a single in 1989, a year after the release of *VIVIsectVI*.[8] It charted at place nineteen and spent five weeks on *[Billboards's](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* [Dance Club Songs](/source/Dance_Club_Songs),[9][10] making it Skinny Puppy's most successful single.[5] Two variations of the release's track listing exist: one with the song "The Second Opinion", and one with "Cage". All versions feature the S.F. and extended mixes of "Testure", and all versions feature "Serpents", a [B-side](/source/B-side) unique to this single.[11][8]

["Serpents"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Serpents_(1989)_clip.ogg)

"Serpents" showcases Skinny Puppy's percussive experimentation.

*Problems playing this file? See [media help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Media).*

"The Second Opinion", which also appeared appended to the end of *VIVIsectVI's* CD release,[12] includes the line "that machine has got to be destroyed" from [Stuart Gordon's](/source/Stuart_Gordon) 1986 adaptation of [H. P. Lovecraft's](/source/H._P._Lovecraft) *[From Beyond](/source/From_Beyond_(film))*.[2] The song itself is built around a repeating [drum machine](/source/Drum_machine) loop interspersed with modulated and distorted vocal samples. "The Second Opinion" began as a live jam titled "Snub" and was later refined and mixed in studio.[13] "Cage", which originally appeared on Skinny Puppy's 1987 single "[Chainsaw](/source/Chainsaw_(Skinny_Puppy_song))", concludes with the line "It's just a little blood... it'll wash out" from [William Lustig](/source/William_Lustig)'s 1980 horror film, *[Maniac](/source/Maniac_(1980_film))*.[2] "Serpents" is percussion-focused song that blends programmed [industrial](/source/Industrial_music) beats with tribal drums.

The single's artwork was designed by [Steven R. Gilmore](/source/Steven_R._Gilmore), and the back features a large syringe provided by his friend from the [University of British Columbia](/source/University_of_British_Columbia), who also supplied the X-ray images used on *VIVIsectVI's* artwork.[14]

## Music video

"Testure's" music video, directed by Ogre and produced by Gary Blair Smith,[8] begins with a definition of the word [vivisection](/source/Vivisection). What follows is the story of a dog-abusing man who, in turn, becomes a test subject operated on and caged by surgeons.[15] Interspersed with the narrative sections are shots of actual animal testing footage from the 1981 documentary *[The Animals Film](/source/The_Animals_Film)* and the 1984 [PETA](/source/PETA) film *[Unnecessary Fuss](/source/Unnecessary_Fuss)*.[8] According to Ogre and Key, the video was pulled from airplay following an internal poll by [Citytv](/source/City_(TV_network)), an associate of Canada's [MuchMusic](/source/MuchMusic).[16] The poll came out nearly split, but, regardless, the video was ultimately banned by "the powers that be".[16] The video, despite depicting vivisection in "vivid detail", was broadcast on [Horizon](/source/Gorizont), the [Soviet Union](/source/Soviet_Union)'s primary satellite channel, as a critique on materialism.[5]

## Track listing

12-inch and CD release No. Title Length 1. "Testure" (12" mix) 8:34 2. "Testure" (S.F. mix) 4:04 3. "The Second Opinion" 5:00 4. "Serpents" 5:55 Total length: 23:35

Mini CD release No. Title Length 1. "Testure" (S.F. mix) 4:03 2. "Testure" (12" mix) 8:32 3. "Serpents" 5:58 4. "Cage" 2:18 Total length: 20:51

## Personnel

All credits adapted from liner notes[6]

**Skinny Puppy**

- [Nivek Ogre](/source/Nivek_Ogre) – vocals

- [cEvin Key](/source/CEvin_Key) – synthesizers, programming, engineering

- [Dwayne Goettel](/source/Dwayne_Goettel) – synthesizers, programming, engineering

- [Dave Ogilvie](/source/Dave_Ogilvie) – production, editing

**Additional personnel**

- Dale Plevin – [fretless bass](/source/Fretless_bass) (tracks 1 and 2)

- Sir Arthur – editing (track 1)

- [Steven R. Gilmore](/source/Steven_R._Gilmore) – artwork

## Chart positions

Chart (1989) Peak position US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[17] 19

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-allmusic1_1-0)** ["Skinny Puppy – Testure"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/testure-mw0000845580). [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic). Retrieved May 13, 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sample_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sample_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-sample_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-sample_2-3) Cigéhn, Peter. ["The Top Sampling Groups List: Skinny Puppy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20041030150321/http://www.sloth.org/samples-bin/samples/group?entry=Skinny+Puppy). *Internet Archive: Wayback Machine*. Archived from the original on October 30, 2004. Retrieved 19 July 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-exclaim1_3-0)** Wolanski, Coreen. ["Skinny Puppy: Every Dog Has Its Day"](https://exclaim.ca/music/article/skinny_puppy-every_dog_has_its_day). *[Exclaim!](/source/Exclaim!)*. Retrieved May 11, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SM1_4-0)** ["Skinny Puppy Biography"](https://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands/Skinny-Puppy/2633/). Sputnikmusic. Retrieved May 11, 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SEE1_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SEE1_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-SEE1_5-2) See Staff (August 11, 2005). ["Infectious Bite"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070223033702/http://www.seemagazine.com/Issues/2005/0811/mus7.htm). *[See Magazine](/source/See_Magazine)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.seemagazine.com/Issues/2005/0811/mus7.htm) on 2007-02-23. Retrieved May 11, 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-notes1_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-notes1_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-notes1_6-2) "Testure" (CD liner notes). Skinny Puppy. [Capitol Records](/source/Capitol_Records). 1989. V-15439.{{[cite AV media notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_AV_media_notes)}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others_in_cite_AV_media_(notes)))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-videoint_7-0)** [Key, cEvin](/source/CEvin_Key); [Goettel, Dwayne](/source/Dwayne_Goettel). ["City Limits Interviews Skinny Puppy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181110052730/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y8NT5uONEc). *[City Limits](/source/City_Limits_(TV_series))* (Interview). Toronto: [MuchMusic](/source/MuchMusic). Archived from [the original](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y8NT5uONEc) on 2018-11-10. Retrieved May 13, 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-disco1_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-disco1_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-disco1_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-disco1_8-3) Kern, Jay (January 2014). *Skinny Puppy – Synthesis*. Mythos Press. pp. 83, 239.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-billboard1_9-0)** ["Hot Dance Music"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1989/BB-1989-03-25.pdf) (PDF). *Billboard*. Vol. 101, no. 12. March 25, 1989. p. 30. Retrieved 12 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-billboard2_10-0)** ["Skinny Puppy Chart History – Dance Club Songs"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/skinny-puppy/chart-history/dsi/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved May 11, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-disco2_11-0)** ["Brap...The Skinny Puppy Discography"](http://www.prongs.org/brap/SP.html). *Prongs*. Retrieved May 11, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-notes2_12-0)** [*VIVIsectVI*](https://www.allmusic.com/album/vivisectvi-mw0000202094/credits) (CD liner notes). Skinny Puppy. [Nettwerk](/source/Nettwerk). 1988. NET 021 CD. Retrieved May 10, 2018.{{[cite AV media notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_AV_media_notes)}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others_in_cite_AV_media_(notes)))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-lit1_13-0)** [Key, cEvin](/source/CEvin_Key). ["Topic: ViViSectVi last 5 tracks"](http://litany.prongs.org/index.php?topic=5664.msg328807#msg328807). Litany.net. Retrieved May 17, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-pod1_14-0)** Alex and Bruce (March 10, 2016). ["We Have a Technical Interviews Steven R. Gilmore"](http://www.idieyoudie.com/2016/03/we-have-a-technical-94-cocktails-with-cockroaches/). *I Die: You Die* (Podcast). Event occurs at 30:29. Retrieved May 13, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-tamp5_15-0)** Carey, Jean (November 9, 1990). "'Park' Outing Is No Picnic". *[Tampa Bay Times](/source/Tampa_Bay_Times)*: 99.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ipso_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ipso_16-1) [Gilmore, Steven R.](/source/Steven_R._Gilmore) (1989). ["The Peril's of Puppy"](http://litany.net/interviews/ipso89.htm). *Ipso Facto Magazine*. No. 7.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboarddanceclubplay_Skinny_Puppy_17-0)** "[Skinny Puppy Chart History (Dance Club Songs)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Skinny-Puppy/chart-history/DSI)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved May 13, 2018.

## External links

- ["Testure"](https://www.discogs.com/Skinny-Puppy-Testure/master/3844) at [Discogs](/source/Discogs) (list of releases)

- ["Testure"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLm9mhh7gvg) official music video

v t e Skinny Puppy cEvin Key Nivek Ogre Mark Walk Dwayne Goettel Dave "Rave" Ogilvie Bill Leeb Albums Bites Mind: The Perpetual Intercourse Cleanse Fold and Manipulate VIVIsectVI Rabies Too Dark Park Last Rights The Process The Greater Wrong of the Right Mythmaker HanDover Weapon EPs Back & Forth Remission Compilations Bites and Remission Remission & Bites Twelve Inch Anthology Back and Forth Series Two Brap: Back and Forth Series 3 & 4 The Singles Collect B-Sides Collect Back and Forth 06Six Back & Forth Vol7 Singles "Dig It" "Chainsaw" "Stairs and Flowers" "Addiction" "Censor" "Testure" "Tin Omen" "Worlock" "Tormentor" "Spasmolytic" "Inquisition" "Candle" "Track 10" "Politikil" Live albums Ain't It Dead Yet? Doomsday The Greater Wrong of the Right Live Bootlegged, Broke and in Solvent Seas Other releases Video Collection (1984–1992) Remix Dystemper Puppy Gristle Side projects Download ohGr PlatEAU The Tear Garden Doubting Thomas Cyberaktif Rx Hilt PTP Related articles Discography List of songs Subconscious Front Line Assembly Paradigm Shift Wild Planet W.E.L.T. Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Testure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testure) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testure?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.