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Testament recorded the new album with the help of producer Andy Sneap (Machine Head, Arch Enemy, Nevermore) at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California. This is their first album for new label Nuclear Blast.
’The Formation Of Damnation’ is definitely a classic sounding Testament album that has that heavy thrash groove that is reminiscent of earlier gems, such as ’Practice What You Preach’, ’Souls Of Black’ and ’The Ritual’. But, make no mistake, Testament have made a powerhouse sounding album with killer thrash metal songs that will make up and coming bands cringe at their own hapless efforts.
Tracks such as ’More Than Meets the Eye,’ ’Dangers of the Faithless’, ’The Persecuted Won’t Forget’ and ’Afterlife’ will have you thrashing about your room playing air guitar and banging your head to these catchy, brutal songs…The title track is as heavy as Testament gets; this is a death metal masterpiece. This is metal – loud, proud and unapologetic. Drummer Paul Bostaphs’ super human drumming shines through this sheer crushing brutal track.
Chuck Billy’s harsh melodic vocal attack and guitarists Eric Peterson’s & Alex Skolnicks’ slick, progressive riffs and leads prove to be that’s there’s still an abundance of idea’s still left in these ole’ workhorses.
Testament have truly made an album to be proud of, there is not a weak track to be found on this soon to be classic. Bringing together the original line up (Sans drummer) was a stroke of genius. Testament have made great albums with other line up’s, but with the original writing team that made albums which put them on the metal map, it was obvious that this was going to be a fruitful endeavor... ’The Formation Of Damnation’ will make these worn torn soldier’s the envy of every metal band in the land. The bar has been set, let see who can match it.
Rating: 100
Reviewed By: Cameron Edney - http://www.myspace.com/insideout666ints