Bay Area thrash titans Testament have released a new album in the middle of a global pandemic. As well, multiple members of the band-touring crew were infected by Covid-19. In the past music like metal, thrash and punk seemed to rise to the occasion with society seemed the most bleak. And it’s on this occasion as the world is hindered by global crisis that Testament have risen to the cause with an epic album. Their new release Titans of Creation fills the need for loud, aggressive, creative and pounding thrash metal to help get us through these times.
Testament has already been in a return to form mode since their Formation of Damnation released in 2008. I’d argue that along with Mastodon, Testament are the most consistent metal band on the planet. The lineup is beyond stellar currently with Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson on guitars, Steve DiGiornio on bass, Gene Hoglan on drums and Chuck Billy on vocals. On Titans of Creation all of them step up like never before in their musicianship and creativity. The rhythm section of Hoglan and DiGiornio is fierce, pounding and relentless. Skolnick and Peterson have never sounded better and Chuck is singing and phrasing on a whole new level. Peterson’s death metal growls are also very effective on multiple songs that helps bring more intensity to the proceedings.
Now to the songs. Children of the Next Level was the perfect choice as an opener. It starts fast and never relents providing insight into what’s to follow through the rest of the recordings. Hoglan is a major highlight with his double kicks and tom work. Chuck also brings it with very cool lyrics about the Heaven’s Gate cult where 39 committed ritual sacrifice for aliens and their God. The leader of the cult Marshall Applewhite also happens to be a Texan and worked in Houston for St. Thomas which made it even more eerie for me to listen. The second song WWIII keeps up the pace.
