The Formation Of Damnation (2008)

In 2008, Testament made an epic return to the forefront of thrash metal with an album so mesmerizing and fierce in its approach that it made their previous studio effort, The Gathering look like a 3 legged dog running for its life. Don't get me wrong here, their 1999 album was and will always be regarded as one of the finest Thrash albums of the 90s, but when after a 9 year recording hiatus a band comes up with ball crunching riffs and dazzling vocal skills, it becomes extremely easy to forget their past laurels.


Once again the classic lineup is back and for the first time in years bassist Greg Christian and Alex Skolnic are back in the fold. First things first, one has to give it up for Chuck Billy, after battling cancer just a few years earlier, his vocal performance on this album are amazingly incredible.


The album starts off with For The Glory Of... an intro, albeit short, but befitting the whole feel of the album about impending doom and damnation. Infectious drumming by Bostaph makes you want more of this song, but before you know it, the second song More Than Meets The Eye starts off with ear drum bashing ferocity not felt since the thrash heydays of the 80s. The guitar solo by Skolnick is probably the first indication of what this album has, which is a long shelf life, followed by a somewhat hurried yet impressive solo by Peterson.

The Evil That Has Landed could very well be an extension of the previous song musically, but the lyrics suggest something far more destructive, recounting the horror and agony of the September 11th attacks. It surely has parts you would expect from a Megadeth album rather than Testament, but it all blends well into a monster of a song, and is sure shot live ecstasy. 


Up next is the title track, The Formation of Damnation, which may very well be on their debut offering and would sounds every bit as heavy as they did back then. The vocals here are more aggressive and gruff than any other song on the album. For some reason the vocals and drums do in fact sound like Slayer doing a one on battle with a young Swedish death metal outfit, and I'm sure no one is complaining.

Dangers Of The Faithless starts off by sending shivers down my spine, having me wonder whether what I'm hearing is true. Testament trying a nu-metal song? But those fears are fast dispersed once the chorus starts and as it turns out, this song is probably the best song from the album. Chugging riffs are the highlights here and makes this one hell of a song complete with classic metal lyrics."Condemned to Hell, Condemned To Fate, Condemned To Time."

Half way through the album and the listener will feel absolutely no exhaustion even after such a massive assault on the ears, and well, the fun has just begun. The Persecuted Wont Forget is the fastest and most brutal song on the album as probably comes closest to their style in their earlier offerings.


Killing Season kicks in with impressive though familiar riffs all finding a way to clearly be audible enough in-spite of having some thunderous and overwhelming drumming. Testament seem an almost unstoppable force at this point with brutal songs shredding everything in their path.


Henchmen Ride packs a serious punch with lyrics suggesting some amalgamation of good old biker gangs and the four horsemen. Classic thrash this is one for fans who long to hear the old school thrash that seems to be lost among the sands of time.


Off the final three tracks, which are all killer 4 minute long songs, F.E.A.R. sets itself apart from the rest as the best of the lot with one of the best drum performances on the album, case in point - the face melting intro drum roll. With vicious riffs that just sink right in this song will leave you screaming for more.

While Afterlife is more upbeat, fast tempo, groove oriented song blending speed and heavy metal seamlessly, Leave Me Forever starts with a somber bass intro, finally bursting into heavier realms in "ginormous" proportions, if I may say so.

After everything is said and done, there should be no doubt that this comeback album by Testament was, is and forever will be one of the finest metal albums of the decade and firmly placing the band as The Top Dog amongst the reigning thrash legends. A big thumbs up to these master craftsmen might just be a little under appreciative given the scale of things they achieve with this album.

Genre: Thrash Metal



Track Listing:
1. For The Glory Of...   (1:13)
2. More Than Meets The Eye   (4:33)

3. The Evil Has Landed   (4:44)

4. The Formation Of Damnation   (5:10)

5. Dangers Of The Faithless   (5:48)

6. The Persecuted Won't Forget   (5:49)

7. Henchmen Ride   (4:01)

8. Killing Season   (4:53)

9. Afterlife   (4:14)

10. F.E.A.R.   (4:47)

11. Leave Me Forever   (4:28)

Total Time : 48:30

Personnel :
Chuck Billy: Lead Vocals
Alex Skolnick: Lead Guitar
Eric Peterson: Rhythm, Lead Guitar
Greg Christian: Bass
Paul Bostaph: Drums

Release Date : 29 April 2008

Recorded : 2007 - 2008 at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California


Tour : Metal Master's Tour (Along with Judas Priest, Motorhead and Heaven and Hell)

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