Testament - The Formation Of Damnation Review
Posted by Dan Haggerty on 06.30.2008
Metal Hammer claims it’s the metal album of the year. But does Testament deliver an album worthy of that title?
Testament, originally a Bay Area thrash band, and referred to as the most popular band of that scene to not break into the mainstream, started out in 1983 known by the name of Legacy. The band recorded two demos and had one live performance before switching to their name to Testament. This was done to avoid issues with a jazz band utilizing the same name.
The original name of the band would live on in the debut album appropriately named The Legacy, which became widely acclaimed in thrash circles while the following tour with Anthrax put the band on the map. The bands follow up, The New World is widely considered by many Testament fans to be the bands best, but their third Practice What You Preach gained enough momentum to become the bands best selling album to date, even landing them on MTV. From here the band entered the metallic wastes of the 90’s, and in keeping with the times they experimented with great use of straight up metal music, and after the departure of Alex Skolnick in ’92 the band ventured into heavier terrain with groove and death influences.
After not one, but two band members won a battle over cancer (James Murphy, who no longer is with the band, and Chuck Billy), a reunion of the original classic line-up came about. The Formation Of Damnation, an album seven years in the making, and the first with new material in nine years, sees the return of Alex Skolnick and Greg Christian for their first recordings with the band since ’92 and ’94 respectively.
Metal Hammer has released their votes from all things heavy this year, and has nominated The Formation Of Damnation as the best album of the year. But does the actual album live up to the hype?
Track Listing
1. For the Glory of
01:12
2. The Evil has Landed
04:44
3. Formation of Damnation
05:09
4. Dangers of the Faithless
05:48
5. The Persecuted Won't Forget
05:49
6. Henchman Ride
04:01
7. Killing Season
04:53
8. Afterlife
04:14
9. F.E.A.R.
04:47
10. Leave Me Forever
04:28
Total Album Length: Total playing time 49:36
Current Line-Up
Chuck Billy - Vocals
Alex Skolnick - Guitar
Eric Peterson - Guitar
Greg Christian - Bass
Paul Bostaph – Drums
Collectors Information
There is also a limited edition digi-book version of this album, which includes a bonus DVD with a “Making Of” documentary. It also includes a photo gallery.
The Review
The very first thing that hits you is the energy and aggression, Testament hitting you face first with a thrash like assault. It’s as if they have been chomping at the bit to get this to your ears for the last nine years. This is in part due to the music, which flows like electricity shot from a Gatling gun; in part due to top notch performances by the band members; and in part a stellar production that is pristine but open and allows the music to rip through your senses.
First, the music – While the band is working over their classic thrash sound, this is by no means a return to the 80’s. It’s like the band returned some to that period, but also stopped along the way to pick up the best parts of their various albums between now and then. The axe work grooves along at high speed, riffing, chugging, cruise control set well above posted limits, all while turning in some broad strokes of death metal as well. While this smokes along, stripping the chrome off of slower vehicles, the bands experience allows it to change up the songs with enough variety to deliver some distinct tracks that never wanders to far from the thrash race track.
The second key point is the performances. The experience of the band shows, each member on point and delivering the fuel to keep the beast in motion. Chuck Billy is judge, jury and executioner. Assailing you with stories of the apocalypse and why damnation is your destiny. Whether his voice is in full throttle of growling judgment, his voice has the tone of passionate condemnation. Peterson and Skolnick make this shred, putting out one of the best dual lead assaults this year. And I might add, it is a delight to hear Skolnick swing his weapon line the axe man he is. Nothing against Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but the man is again operating as hunter and carnivore, a beautiful thing to behold.
The third point is the production. In an age where bands will substitute their performance by perfect enhancement of digital smoke and mirrors, Testament delivers a sound that still sounds energetic, raw, a full scale attack. This is crystal clear, and obviously the producers and engineers of done their work, but the band still maintains the sence of immediacy as if you’re their in the studio watching them blow out the circuits first hand. Absolutely stellar in combining the best of both worlds.
One thing of note, and it is a typical observation with Testament, is that the band doesn’t go out and “Reinvent the Wheel”, so to speak. They don’t add much to the cannon of riff writing, nor add to a scene that has been well played through. What they do, however, is take little pieces of metal/thrash history, starting from now and going back to the final days of thrash circa 92, and adds those bits to a canvas rich in melody and rhythm. While the riff work is standard, played damn well, but standard, the rhythm section and dual melodies those riffs support are full blown catchy and infective. Combine that groove with the aggression, energy, the solos, the performance, add a whole lot of This-Is-How-You-Do-It attitude and you have a comeback album more than worth owning.
So is Metal Hammer right? Is this the metal album of the year? Well… No. It’s got some strong competition from other acts so far this year. This is a very good album, but the likes of Opeth, Dismember, Death Angel, and a few others that are scorching up the landscape.
What I will say, however, is a lot of “old school” bands, ones that helped popularized or represent their music scene are coming back with an album this year. 2008 is turning into the year of comebacks and retro-bands it seems. Bands like Def Leppard, Motley Crue, and Judas Priest for example. If you had to pick one old school band to check out, then this album is the one. The Formation of Damnation not only represents its style the best, but adds enough to be modern and a great listen.
The 411: A great thrash metal album that takes flourishes for groove and death metal, supported by excellent rhythms and performances to deliver one of the best “Old School” kick ass attacks of the year. While I wouldn’t call this the best album of the year, I fully expect it to end up on a number of Top 10 lists. If you like thrash metal, then this is a must own album.
