Alex Bentley Staff

A review of Testament's latest album, The Formation of Damnation, from PegNews reader Randy Tarver:

Testament, in my eyes, have always delivered and this 11-track thrasher (their first studio effort in 9 years) is no exception.

Opening with the short but dark instrumental “For The Glory Of…” and leading into the stomper “More Than Meets The Eye”, all the classic elements that earned Testament metal admiration, although, unfortunately, not always critical acclaim, are present: galloping riffs, clean double-bass drumming, soaring solos and the distinctive throat of Chuck Billy.

Lead guitarists Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson duel and sync with the precision and beauty reminiscent of Iron Maiden’s Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, granted most of the songs shred at a higher rpm than Maiden but, at times, they also slow it down slightly as on “Dangers Of The Faithless”.

“The Evil Has Landed”, faces the tragedy of 9-11 with vivid and powerful lyrics written by Billy and former Exodus / current (Chuck Billy founded) Dublin Death Patrol member Steve “Zetro” Souza. The subject matter is handled with respect and the promise of rebuilding and defending our way of live is reissued.

The electric “Afterlife”, about the loss of both Billy and Peterson’s fathers, and “Henchmen Ride”, with its gang vocals of “Forward, Shifting gears in the wind the Henchman ride” stand out. My favorite track, however, is the Skolnick-penned “F.E.A.R.” with its shout-along chorus and scorching axe work.

One time Testament skins man Paul Bostaph (he played on their 1993 release Return To The Apocalyptic City and spent many years behind the kit for Slayer among others) shines throughout Damnation. Not a bad song to be found and some wicked cool lyrics. Here are the last few lines of the album ending tale of love gone bad “Leave Me Forever”:

“I can’t get away, I hope you suffer, I won’t let love ever drive me insane,

Unleash the pain, laugh as you suffer, you turned our love into my ugly shame,

Sick of your ways, sick of the future, I take my life back to live it my way,

Just walk away, leave me forever, you can’t erase all the damage you’ve done”

I’m glad to see that these legends of the Bay Area thrash movement can still slam with the best of them.

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