Out of all thirteen Testament albums this is my favourite, and as I have mentioned before, Testament ARE part of the big four and are way better than Slayer. Slayer are just a one trick pony, whereas Testament have a whole lot going on within their music and never lose the sight of the groove, which is so important in metal.
They sure know how to build drama into a tune as well, the intro to Trial By Fire is soooo freakin’ awesome with the cool quiet guitar intro and then that pounding bass and drum groove. This song is a thrash classic my friends, and that head just has to bang. Chugga Chuuga all the way. Into The Pit thrashes like crazy and Alex Skolnick is just a beast on the guitar. The short instrumental Hypnosis just has the hairs on my arms at attention, as Skolnick’s playing is just sublime.
This album is a belter all the way, and you just can’t beat old school thrash when it’s done as good as this. Plenty of groove and chunk is all a man needs. Favourite track? It’s has to be Trial By Fire, but there are so many great moments on this album. I could have easily gone for The Preacher, for that cool guitar intro alone.
If you are an old school thrasher then you will already have this, but if not, why?
10/10 from The Grooveman.