After having seen Testament open for Anthrax this past year, I was more than impressed with their performance. Particularly, Alex Skolnick, who has always been revered as a top metal guitarist, but this was my first real exposure to him. Having never really caring for thrash in my youth, I definitely have a more appreciative ear now. And by all accounts, not just my own, Testament's new one is a quality true-to-form thrash metal beast. It doesn't quite get to the quality that the last Anthrax record soared to, but each song seems to top the other in form.
Production is fantastic, as brought by Andy Sneap, who has made a living for 15 years producing your more hardcore of acts. He brings out the best of the instrumentation and the drums are relentless. Skolnick, again, provides the best of the recordings. Fluidly soloing over the light-speed riffs.
The themes don't stray from conventional though. Not at all. Lyrics are generally either about standing up to your oppressors or being the leader on the throne shedding the blood of those who resist your awesome authority. Singer Chuck Billy was never the vocalist as much as the screamer, but he's still as good here as he ever was. Unfortunately, this kept me from embracing the album as much as I wanted. Even bringing in co-writer Del James on several songs did not do well enough to branch out the songs to be more lyrically dynamic.
Still worth a listen Also, give yourself the opportunity to look up the bonus tracks. Fantastic covers of Queen, Scorpions and Iron Maiden. (3 of 5 stars)
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