Release date: October 10, 2025
Origin: Oakland, California, USA
Personnel: Chuck Billy-vox, Eric Peterson-guitar, Alex Skolnick-guitar, Steve DiGiorgio-bass, Chris Dovas-drums
Damn near 40 years since they released their debut album and Testament is still cranking out ferocious thrash metal. This album sounds like a band with something to prove rather than from one of the established pioneers of the Bay Area thrash scene. There are a couple of moments on here that come close to veering into black metal. I’m guessing Eric Peterson just decided to channel his Dragonlord black metal side project into his writing for Testament. Overall, pretty standard Testament fare on here. New drummer Chris Dovas fits in nicely. The only thing really keeping this one from being higher on the list is for the lyric in High Noon. “High Noon!! Death Soon!!!” is kind of cringe.
4.5 flip flops out of 5
The list so far:
18. Testament-Para Bellum
19. In Mourning-The Immortal
20. Allegaeon-The Ossuary Lens
DISPATCHES FROM THE VOID 