Music: Thrash Metal
Website: http://www.testamentlegions.com
Country: USA
Duration: 49:37 (11 Songs)
Cool Songs: “More Than Meets The Eye,” “The Henchmen Ride,” “FEAR”
Two years since they rejoined the scene, Testament hardly need an introduction anymore. What else can be said of the Bay Area fivesome? They belong to a hallowed pantheon whose current work has eclipsed even their past classics. Such is the case with The Formation Of Damnation, a mammoth comeback where most of the original lineup have buried their past grievances to reinvigorate the bands interrupted legacy.
Putting in the time and effort needed for a quality product, the band leave no stone unturned as they put together a package that would do justice to all that theyve achieved in the past. More importantly, this had to eclipse the unstoppable the Gathering from a decade ago. That albumpoor sales be damnedwas just a monster. To make good on their intentions, Testament v.2008 go down the epic route on the ball-tingling intro For The Glory Of before the stampede gets underway and More Than Meets The Eyes galloping pace proves beyond doubt how potent the band still are.
Sounding fresher than the genre-counterparts half their age (i.e. Warbringer), before Testament surrender to all out thrash they commemorate September 11 with The Evil Has Landed. Its a mid tempo narrative driven yarn whose rather corny lyrics is saved by the bands songwriting panache. Having dipped into death metal on past albums such as Low, Demonic, and The Gathering, Testament pull no stops for the title track, which stampedes along to Paul Bostaphs seismic percussion artillery as Chuck Billy does his best growl. Proving that he has gotten more versatile with age, Billy is at his most varied on this album. Whether hes doing thrash metals signature spitfire vocal style or singing clean, he does each with flawless aplomb.
Skipping the mid tempo fare on the album, the choicest cuts for thrash diehards are the apocalyptic The Henchmen Ride, the irresistible riff-fest The Persecuted Wont Forget, and the excruciating verve coursing through each note of FEAR. The production is polished without sacrificing the grit and Testament, leave ample room for each member to shine, especially long departed lead guitarist Alex Skolnick. As the journey ends once Leave Me Forever casts a dark cloud above our speakers, we are left to wonder what other milestones Testament can reach after a perfect album like this.
note: 10/10
Tracklist
1. For The Glory Of
2. More Than Meets The Eye
3. The Evil Has Landed
4. The Formation of Damnation
5. Dangers of the Faithless
6. The Persecuted Wont Forget
7. The Henchmen Ride
8. Killing Season
9. Afterlife
10. FEAR
11. Leave Me Forever
Line-up
Chuck Billy- Vocals
Alex Skolnick- Guitar
Eric Peterson- Guitar
Greg Christian- Bass
Paul Bostaph- Drums
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