TESTAMENT — Titans Of Creation (review)

TESTAMENT — Titans Of Creation album cover Album · 2020 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Titans Of Creation" is the 12th full-length studio album by US thrash metal act Testament. The album was released through Nuclear Blast Records in April 2020. It´s the successor to "Brotherhood of the Snake" from 2016 and features the exact same five-piece lineup who recorded the predecessor.

The material on the 12 track, 58:34 minutes long album continue the familiar thrash metal sound of the last couple of albums. Since the release of their "comeback" album "The Formation of Damnation" in 2008, Testament have been on a steady roll of releasing an album every fourth year and touring quite a lot in support of every album too. They´ve locked into a groove and since they´ve experienced a lot of success and almost nothing but positive album reviews in those years, why change a winning formula? So if you´re familiar with and appreciate the three direct predecessors to "Titans Of Creation", nothing will change your opinion listening to this album.

This is Testament as we know and love them. Hard hitting and energetic thrash metal performed by some of the best in the business (it doesn´t get much better than a rhythm section consisting of drummer Gene Hoglan and bassist Steve DiGiorgio). It´s not audible that Chuck Billy is pushing 60 as his vocal performance here is as strong as his performances on the classic albums from the 1980s. He has lost none of his commanding vocal force, and if anything he has picked up a few tricks through the years to make his performance here both varied and very convincing. A good example is his performance on "City of Angels" (an album highlight), where he really shines. Oh yeah and guitarist Eric Peterson performs some black metal type screaming vocals a couple of times during the album´s playing time (most dominant on the chorus of "Curse Of Osiris"), but they are very few, so if that sort of thing is not to your liking, don´t be too concerned.

The material are generally of a high quality, and one sharp thrashy riff, blistering solo (Alex Skolnick and also Peterson are positively on fire here), and powerful pounding rhythm part follow the next. The album features a great balance between the hard edged thrashy sound and some slighty more melodic parts. An example of the more melodic sound of the album is the traditional heavy metal influenced chorus to "Dream Deceiver". What a beauty...

Peterson and Billy are credited for producing "Titans Of Creation" while Andy Sneap has mixed and mastered the album, and not surprisingly the sound is massive, powerful, and very heavy. So upon conclusion "Titans Of Creation" is another high quality thrash metal release from Testament, who one must conclude have aged really well. I´m sure these tracks will also translate very well to the stage. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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Kingcrimsonprog wrote:
more than 2 years ago
This album is brillaint
Nightfly wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Another great album from Testament.
Tupan wrote:
more than 2 years ago
One can't go wrong with Testament!

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