Testament - Parabellum Album Review

Returning five years after their previous studio release with a newfound vigour that would put many a younger band to shame, Testament’s new album Parabellum opens proceedings with "For the Love of Pain", which is arguably the heaviest opener Testament has delivered in the past decade.

While it may not reach the heights of "More than Meets the Eye" from "The Formation of Damnation the tracks execution is reminiscent of Pantera’s "Strength Beyond Strength", in that it goes straight for the jugular as it brings Testament’s black metal influences to the fore with Chuck Billy’s vocals sounding particularly menacing.

Without letting up the established adrenaline, "Infanticide A, I" wastes no time in storming out the gate but shifts gears slightly towards a more melodic and traditional structure. Marked by precise technicality, melodic interplay, and well-placed blast beats, the lyrics centre on the dangers of artificial intelligence and how they set a dangerous precedent if used for questionable purposes.

In contrast, "Shadow People" is reminiscent of Testament’s "Practice What You Preach" era, favouring a more traditional and melodic approach but with subtle hints of black metal infused melodic interplay that additionally showcases Chuck Billy’s impressive vocal range. The song is probably also the most progressively tinged track on the album with subtle tempo changes that are intelligently integrated into its overall structure so as to make them almost unnoticeable.

The band’s versatility shines through on Meant to be, their first ballad in many years with another impressive display of Chuck Billys vocal range. Beginning acoustically, befitting the classical ballad mould it nevertheless maintains a sense of heaviness by perfectly highlighting the talents of Petersen and Skolnick. While it may not reach the iconic status of "Return to Serenity" from "The Ritual," "the song would nonetheless be a worthy inclusion in any ballad compilation.

"High Noon" and "Witch Hunt" continue the album’s energetic curve, sharing similarities with the opener but executed with greater melody by blending the extreme elements of earlier songs with a more traditional metal sound. The subsequent track, "Nature of the Beast", explores the theme of gambling as it embraces melodic influences that pay tribute to Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.

"Room 117" and "Havanna Syndrome" once again harken back to the "Practice What You Preach" and "Souls of Black" eras albeit with more a mature songwriting approach which is testament (no pun intended) to the bands continued progression over the years.

Overall, while not every track on "Parabellum" resonated with me as strongly as some of Testament’s previous material, the album’s closing and title track stands out as a highlight. Easily one of my favourites tracks on the record it serves as a masterful blend of the band’s heavier death metal influences with their signature thrash sound. Demonstrating their enduring ability for innovate within their genre the closing track not only encapsulates the themes and styles explored throughout the album but also delivers a fitting conclusion to another impressive chapter in Testament’s already distinguished discography.