There’s always only been one Thrash band for us. Sure, we love Slayer and respect the hell out of Metallica. Megadeth tends to be uneven but still a’ight and while we initially got into the band during the John Bush era (We know!), we’ve grown to love all there is to the Anthrax lore. For us, though, the instant we heard that other Bay Area Thrash outfit, Testament, that was it. And it wasn’t even a Heavy one that did it. “Return To Serenity” was all it took then came the rest of the album it was apart of (Duh, The Ritual!) followed by a deep dive of their storied discography and we were lifers.
That said, we’ve been around for the band through ups (The original lineup reunion in 2008!), downs (Lead guitarist Alex Skolnick leaving for almost 20 years following The Ritual), and momentous moments that could’ve ended the band altogether (Vocalist Chuck Billy’s battle with cancer) so we think for us to say that the upcoming Para Bellum is easily the band’s best output of the 21st Century and definitely on par with their ’80’s offerings is a pretty big endorsement.
Because Para Bellum, the band’s 14th full-length to date, is such a solid and all around kick ass addition to an already legendary career. With “For the Love of Pain” we’re off to the races and a riotous Black Metal opening shot that’s… wait, did we just type Black Metal? Yep, yep we did. Because Testament is a chameleonic bunch that can do it all (One of MANY reasons they’re our go to Thrash band). People seem to forget that not only did the band handle the end of their relationship with Atlantic Records and Alex Skolnick with the beast that is Demonic that’s essentially Testament’s take on Death Metal (“Hatreds Rise” is the only one that kinda sounds like the Testament of old and even saying that is a stretch) with rhythm guitarist Eric Peterson’s songwriting adaptability on full blast and vocalist Chuck Billy facing the challenge with an absolutely vicious performance throughout that record.
ANYWHO!
Back to the present, lead single “Infanticide A.I.” which is similar in tone and heaviness to the opener arrives next and highlights new addition Chris Dovas on drums while “Shadow People” mixes it all up slightly as Dovas gets a chance to show off some of the Groove elements from his percussive arsenal before a slightly more standard shredder emerges. Well, maybe “standard shredder” is the wrong descriptor when “classic Testament” is way more fitting. And it’s been some time since there’s been such a sweeping song like “Meant to Be” but Billy and the boys drop a new Metal ballad like it’s been no time at all with Peterson and Skolnick trading off with their tender pluckings to match the tender tome being created here.
“High Noon” is a crusher with an irresistible chant at the forefront while similarly, “Witch Hunt” speedily shreds and is poised to be a new live favorite as Steve Di Giorgio’s bass tones boom large within the sonic tapestry. “Nature of the Beast” is a classic Thrash romp emboldened by one big ass chorus which pairs nicely with the steady shreddin’ of “Room 117”. “Havana Syndrome” is just an epic anthem with this sort of inverse “Electric Crown” melody to start followed by the beastly title track that rages for six and a half minutes bringing with it a furious Metal fury to end Testament’s latest, and possibly greatest, to date.
Para Bellum drops on October 10th through Nuclear Blast with pre-orders in a variety of options available now by heading here! For more from Testament, be sure to follow the band across their socials which you can find here, here, or here.