A band that releases the “quintessential” metal album is very ‘blue moon’, right? Perhaps not been done since the early Metallica days or maybe somewhere down the PanterA back catalogue. Combining sheer aggression, some gnarly long hair, and blistering ability, with a pinch of Native American panache, Testament has definitely come up big with The Formation of Damnation. Maybe even ‘blue moon’ big. Billy is bigger, Bostaph is bolder, and, yes, Skolnick’s barnet still has that Storm streak in it – could it get any better? Well, perhaps if a free nudie mag came with every purchase.

The one thing that really stands out on Testament’s latest musical endeavour is how their lyrics speak to the band’s maturity – they always tell a story (9/11 to the tale of fathers), are devoid of useless filler expletives, and really seem to gel with any arrangement that they are pieced into. Compare that to most of today’s trite, and a completely different picture is often painted. The Formation of Damnation is really the crown jewel in Testament’s 25 year existence as a metal act. Barring silly leather clad videos like ‘Souls of Black’, their very rock and roll career will be topped off with a `08 summer run supporting legends Judas Priest.

The Formation of Damnation is a return to form for the guitar duo of Skolnick and Peterson. They seem to be back to what they do best, inserting some shred with an ounce of sumptuous groove. Yet what makes one smile is how old stalwart Chuck Billy hasn’t lost his throat since The Gathering. The defining metal “croon” should be a signal to all budding startups out there, Bay Area or not, thrash or not. Heed the warnings imposed by the dual lead guitarists. Bow before the bassline. Drift off to the drums. Banag your head Billy. To break this masterpiece down song by song would be foolish – it is an eleven song horn raise. Well done lads. Good to see you back!

Rating: 10/10
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Website: www.myspace.com/testamentlegions

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This entry was posted on Sunday, June 15th, 2008 at 7:45 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Anonymous wrote:

Will Metallica just pay these guys to write thier next album already.

They stayed ture to thier sound and the Thrash.
Why couldn’t Metallica???

Testament is my Metallica now!!

August 21st, 2008 at 2:56 pm

Son wrote:

Goddamn Metallica is such a dissapointment.

September 26th, 2008 at 1:45 am

Jerk-Off wrote:

This album just absolutely destroys! I saw these guys open for the almighty Judas Priest up here in Seattle and it was magnificent.

October 19th, 2008 at 12:35 am

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