Review TESTAMENT “Para Bellum”

Thrash metal veterans Testament are launching their 14th studio album, “Para Bellum” They started their career as Legacy before renaming the band to Testament. It was the excellent “The Legacy” album that brought the band to everyone’s attention, and now this latest effort marks the next milestone in the career of the five-piece.

The album features two lead singles, “Infanticide A.I.” and “Shadow People”, but it is the opener, “For the Love of Pain”, that made me check if I had put the right album on. The opener features Testament’s signature guitar sound, as well as Chuck Billy’s unique vocals. What is confusing, however, is the blasting speed and screeching screams, which give the song a blackened touch. Are Testament moving away from their roots? The answer is no.

Although the new release kicks off with a surprising twist, “Para Bellum” is 100% Testament from start to finish. It isn’t entirely new for the band to try out some musical sidesteps while sticking to their roots.

The two aforementioned lead singles are more traditional Testament songs: “Infanticide A.I.” is a fast-paced headbanger, while “Shadow People” reminds us of the Bay Area thrash metal roots.

Since “Return to Serenity”, we know that the Bay Area band doesn’t shy away from ballads. With “Meant to Be” the new release features a soulful and emotional moment too showing that Chuck Billy’s vocals range is much wider than what typical thrash metal demands. The first four tracks on the album demonstrate Testament’s new effort’s full versatility. These twists and turns provide an entertaining flow that continues throughout the rest of the album. ‘Witch Hunt’ is a massive thrash metal epic that also features death metal nuances, and the blackened influences return.

The new album also contains a song with roots in rock music, called “Nature of the Beast”. Still powerful, “Nature of the Beast” offers an interesting reinterpretation of the typical Testament sound, which then returns with the pounding “Havana Syndrome”, following “Room 117”. The latter is a pounding metal anthem built on a classic Testament riff. Its melodic vocal lines allow for sing-alongs at live shows and let’s see if ‘Room 117’ makes it onto the setlist for the upcoming tour.

The title track heralds the end of Testament’s latest album. “Para Bellum” is a raging ode to thrash metal and at the same time showcases a band that takes a wider approach to music than soley reproduce the glorious days in the 80s.

Testament developed their own signature sound relatively early on, and have maintained it to this day. With some new twists and surprising moments, the five-piece creates additional excitement, making “Para Bellum” an energetic thrash metal album that unveils new details with each listen. Horns up!