Up next for this four part look, I thought I’d take a look at Testament. They’re a band where I didn’t start listening to until later say around 2004/5. And honestly I haven’t listened to all of their albums so let’s take a look…….
The Legacy-so I guess before this album,the original singer was Steve Zetro Souza who would later become the singer in Exodus. However he left the band and Chuck Billy would be their vocalist and he along with guitarist Eric Peterson are the only constant members. The thing with first albums, the production on them isn’t very good and this one’s no different. However, the songs are really good. I was fortunate enough to see them play this entire album live when I saw Megadeth play all of Rust in Peace. A pretty solid debut album with a lot of these songs that are still played live. I give it 9/10
Standouts: First Strike Is Deadly, Alone in the Dark, Apocalyptic City
The New Order- so here we pretty much continue the same album as before and this one is another great follow up. The songs on here go from kind of fast to fast. The riffs on here are fantastic and like I said it pretty much continues where Legacy left off. I give it 9/10
Practice What You Preach- so this was my first Testament album I bought and I must say that listening to it now, it doesn’t have the same impact it once had before. I mean the songs aren’t bad but the album as a whole is just good not great. I know it’s probably considered a classic to some but for me this one is just ok. I give it 7/10
Standouts: Practice What You Preach, Sins of Omission, Perilous Nation
Souls of Black- It seems to me that the production should improve as bands continue to make newer albums. This for some reason is not the case and I’m not sure why. This record sounds like it was made in the 80’s sound wise. The last album had some slow songs, this one goes back to having mostly fast songs again. It’s great and I’ve noticed that Chuck Billy hasn’t started growling yet so it’s kinda strange to hear him doing clean vocals. Overall a pretty solid album and the solos and guitar work on here is fantastic. I give it 8/10
Standouts: Face in the Sky, Malpractice, Falling Fast
The Ritual- well if you are looking for a melodic slower album but with thrash mixed in, then this album’s your ticket right here. I hadn’t really heard much of this album but I would say it’s their slowest album by far. I guess here they wanted to focus on melodic songs and it works and the production on here is the best by far. This would be the last album to feature original drummer Louie Clemente and guitarist Alex Skolnick. This album is pretty good and it’s melodic thrash metal done right. I give it 8/10
Standouts: Electric Crown, Agony, Deadline
Low- so here they’ve decided to go back to a more thrashier sound. This is also the first album to feature new guitarist James Murphy (Death) and new drummer John Tempesta (White Zombie, The Cult) and they both do a great job. I know that this album didn’t do so well in the charts but I actually really like this album. Plus it’s the first time that we hear Chuck actually start to growl. Overall, a pretty solid album and I give it 8.5/10
Standouts- Shades of War, Legions (Hiding), Low
Demonic- This in my opinion is where Testament really starts to pick things up. This one is probably their heaviest and also their darkest album. It’s also one of my personal favorites. If you listen to this I’m willing to bet that Lamb of God was influenced by this record too. This album also has Gene Hoglan on drums and first without original bassist Greg Christian. The songs aren’t fast like in traditional thrash metal but this almost has a death metal vibe to it. It’s a unique record as far as Testament records go. I give it 10/10
Standouts: Demonic Refusal, Jun-Jun, Murky Waters
The Gathering- this one is probably my favorite Testament record. It’s a combination of everything great about them. It’s got Chucks low growls as well as his singing and the guitar work on here is my favorite as are the drums and bass. This album also has Dave Lombardo on drums, Steve Di Giorgio (Death, Obituary) on bass, and James Murphy back on guitar. Definitely a record one should listen to and add to their collection. I give it 10/10
Standouts: D.N.R., Legions of the Dead, Allegiance
First Strike Still Deadly- this is basically a re-recording of songs from Legacy and The New Order. It is however the first album with Alex Skolnick and John Tempesta back in the band. I actually really like these re-recorded songs. It give them new life and flavor. We also get songs with original vocalist Steve Souza which is cool. Not much else to say about it. I give it 10/10
Standouts: First Strike Is Deadly, Alone in the Dark, The Preacher
The Formation of Damnation- their first album in 7 years and it’s definitely a great album from a band who has been away for awhile. Most bands are hit or miss with these kind of records and this one is definitely a hit. It continues on that heaviness like Gathering and First Strike. Plus this also has Greg Christian back on bass, Alex Skolnick back on guitars, and new drummer Paul Bostaph. This a heavy record and while it’s nothing new or groundbreaking, is still a fantastic album. I give it 9/10
Standouts: More Than Meets the Eye, The Evil Has Landed, F.E.A.R.
Dark Roots Of Earth- it seems like this band gets better and better with each new release. Another home run record. It’s fast, heavy, and melodic. The only lineup change here is Gene Hoglan is back on drums and of course he does a fantastic job as usual however this would be Greg Christian’s last album before being replaced by Steve Di Giorgio again. Again this record isn’t anything new but it’s Testament doing what they do best and that is putting out great thrash albums. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Rise Up, True American Hate, Throne of Thorns
Brotherhood of the Snake- continuing the same trend, they release this record. The riffs seem more slow and crushing but still maintaining the same thrashing sound as before. One thing I’ve noticed is that Alex Skolnick brings a jazzy sound to the band that you don’t typically hear in a lot of thrash bands. Anyway, another great album but Chuck doesn’t really growl as much on hear as he has been lately. I give it 8/10
Standouts: The Pale King, Brotherhood of the Snake, The Number Game
Titans of Creation- their newest album which just came out almost a month ago is another great album. These guys are definitely on an upward trend of putting out great thrash metal. This album is heavy and also the guitar tone on this is badass too. Again it continues in the same vein as the last few records but they have found a formula and it works really well for them. I give this 10/10
Standouts: Night of the Witch, Children of the Next Level, Curse of Osiris
Well I’ve gotta say that after listening to these albums again, I am definitely a fan of their newer stuff. That’s not to say that their older material isn’t good but their newer stuff has that aggression in it. I also think that Eric Peterson is severely underrated as far as guitar players and writers go. He’s been there since the beginning and he and Chuck Billy make a great team.
Album Rankings:
- The Gathering
- Demonic
- Titans of Creation
- The Legacy
- First Strike Still Deadly
- Dark Roots of Earth
- Low
- The New Order
- Formation of Damnation
- Brotherhood of the Snake
- Souls of Black
- The Ritual
- Practice What You Preach
Sinister Reviews 