All of the cliché sayings come to mind when I hear new material from a long-running band – “True to form”, “Haven’t missed a beat”, etc.
However, these cliche’s hold some weight with the latest album from Testament. The release of “Para Bellum” marks the 14th album from the Bay City Thrashers and probably my favorite release of theirs in some time. That isn’t meant as a discredit to this band who’re rightfully sitting at the same table as Megadeth, Metallica, and the other all-time great thrash bands.
We all have listened to, and preferred different time periods for all bands, and Testament were always an ill-timed greatness just outside my window. Did I go back and listen to some of the older albums? Of course. Given their tenured past, it was easy to jump around and compare new to old…like we all do, but several times I caught myself thinking….Is Chuck Billy STILL the singer for Testament? Why? Because there were a handful of times early from the singles released and then into the album and throughout thinking…”Nah…they couldn’t replace him..” And they didn’t – it was just me being paranoid and thinking that a band cannot function without long-time members. Testament, like all bands, has deep roots; the original singer, Zetro Souza, left Testament for another circle pit creator, Exodus. They’ve also had drummers with names like Lombardo and Hoglan. Definitely a great alumni list.
If I like it or not (I don’t mind it at all), Testament and I have a long history together, obviously only relevant for the sake of “Cool Metal Stories”. “Thee Testament?” I asked myself, sitting at a red light, straining to see a bright flyer flapping in the wind. That flyer was for a show, an intimate show. Dare I say in the early days of Myspace, birth year of Twitter, 2006…preluded by the opening act “Powerman 5000”. “REFLECTIONS NIGHT CLUB” was only locally known for its pay-per-hour services and heavily poured cheap drinks. Apparently, there is also the occasional heavy metal show. The building is now a bare slab, as once its doors closed, transients burned it down. It is also featured in “Kill Bill: Volume 2” as Bud’s place of employment. The echoes of their name being chanted between sets at the “Big 4”, in 2011, Indio, California, and I wholeheartedly agree that they should be in place of a band in the “Big 4″…or expanded into a Sinister 6.
How I feel after telling that jumble of “Cool Metal Stories”
The singles were a perfect sample of what was to come on “Para Bellum”. High notes of praise to tracks like “Nature of the Beast”, “Para Bellum”, and a near ballad in “Meant to Be”. Sampling back to the days of “Return to Serenity”. First few listens, I was beginning to think it got the “Unforgiven 1…2..3…4?” treatment. It highlights the tightness of the band. The range and versatility of the members and the chords that Chuck is slanging. “Meant to Be” is easily the grab your lighter and hold it high into the sky…catch your breath from the pit…embrace the violent beauty of our love that is METAL.
“To prepare for war.” Is the loose translation of “Para Bellum”. Rightfully so, I jumped into the John Wick universe, but I’m sure in some fashion we’re all fighting a war that we must prepare for. With each album I review, there’s always that “I need to see the pit for this song.” and of the ones I’ve mentioned so far, “Para Bellum” is that song for me. It melts faces and is probably my favorite guitar work album-wise. The kicker of teeth, as it would be. This would ultimately rule as the going trend of playing albums in their entirety. I’ve linked it down below, but don’t take it as a one-and-done; definitely encourage this as a listen. Air drumming and foot pedal blasting o’plentay. Along with the other singles.
But to think that now our roots of metal guides in this universe are now in their 60s and still producing bangers is a great homage to the energy this music emits. Keeps us young…But the New Testament offers a good time and not a lot of filler. Enjoy the world of “Thrash with splashes of Death Metal”. It’s a fun time for sure.
Until next time.
\m/
-Simon Hernandez
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