Testament

Bay Area thrash stalwarts Testament have been floundering for years. After witnessing their brand of expedient metal’s demise, the quintet struggled to reinvent, sacrificing their trademark high-pitched, gravelly vocal delivery and hyperactive pace for a more death metal-influenced approach that produced nothing of consequence. With latest effort The Formation Of Damnation though, Testament find the likes of lead guitarist Alex Skolnik back in the fold and former Forbidden/Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph keeping time. The band have, in turn, learned to unite the best elements of both former paths, creating a solid affair that shifts from the raging pace and shrieking delivery of "The Persecuted Won’t Forget” back towards the guttural thrust of "More Than Meets The Eye.” Rounded out by nine more tracks that amalgamate death metal’s churning undercurrent with thrash’s passionate attack, The Formation Of Damnation is their strongest release in a decade. And while it has room for streamlining, at least it finds them confident, hungry and creative once again.