Brotherhood of the Snake

When the first single for Testament's new album came out, Brotherhood Of The Snake, I just had to listen and wasn't too impressed. At least not at first. It wasn't that it was bad, it's just that it wasn't great. As the next two singles came out after, I wasn't too sure what to think. None the less, I was definitely skeptical for this release. Dark Roots of the Earth I felt was so good that I didn't think it could be beaten by them. Finally, after hearing it, I was disappointed but the more I listened it grew on me and I can honestly say, for the most part, it does beat Dark Roots Of The Earth. Testament has truly made not only one of their best albums with Brotherhood Of The Snake, they made one of the best thrash metal albums of the year. However, that is not to say that it is perfect. This album does have its haters, and I can understand why. On the initial listen, one might find it to be a little hollow, but the more you go back, you will find it to be a very uplifting album that is meant to be what it is. I have a few complaints, but they are minor in comparison to what we've been given here.

Testament really chose to deliver a straight up headbanger but filled with substance. It wasn't a mind numbing thrasher, which I think isn't an easy thing to accomplish. However narrow in its direction to be a crusher, you won't find a whole lot of reluctance in its riffing. It's not to say that there aren't any, it's just easy to tell that they meant just about every note with precision. One of the great things about this album is that not only is it fun, heavy, aggressive, but ultimately it is relentless in giving us something that is to reckoned as a pillar in the thrash world. Where Testament hasn't been the perfect band in giving us worthy records every release, over the last eight years, they keep getting better. I think it's fair enough to say that their prime years weren't spent as well as their veteran years. They are one of the few thrash bands who have proven that they still have it. With this album they've really shown us that, and where it could have been better I'm sure, it didn't need to be. If I ever saw them live and the only thing they ever chose to play was this album I would be more than satisfied.

Of course, the hits are fairly easy to recognize, it's the throwaways I think that are not. Even the worst of songs are filled not just with redeeming musicality, but meaningful aggression filled with melody. Brotherhood Of The Snake, Neptune's Spear, Stronghold, and even Canna-Business are really the meat and potatoes that give us the living proof that we have something worth checking out at least. Now, songs like The Pale King, Seven Seals, Centuries of Suffering, are certainly very good, but are considered the throwaways at least reluctantly. Black Jack is a tough one to deal with because it does have a crappy intro, with what I would call reluctant riffs, but with what is has to offer, it does redeem itself as being one of the most fun songs on this. It could have used some improvement, but it does pick up as a whole to be well. Without a doubt the worst song on here is The Number Game as it really is the the one number (no pun intended) where we find the most reluctance. Though it is not a complaint, it just remains the weakest link yet in itself is still solid.

As far as the complaints go, there aren't many, and the ones that are, I don't think are too big a deal and are easily forgiveable. Where this is definitely one of the best testament albums serving the mark of substance and aggression, I fear that it could be justifiably tossed aside later. Dark Roots I think serves to have the stance of the more memorable when compared to this, but this is great despite the fact that they clearly can make an even better album than this. At least one that could have more substance and be a more solid album in its roots. This album certainly is not complacent and is easily one the most enjoyable albums in thrash, one of the biggest complaints are the vocal arrangements and lyrics. Chuck Billy wrote some of the most horrible lyrics ever that just make you cringe and even laugh out loud, in particularly Black Jack, Canna-Business, and The Pale King. Another thing is that some of the songs don't go where you hope and are arranged kind of poorly, mainly in the title track- right when you think it's going to be a headbanger, it evolves into breakdowns. Where that's not entirely a bad thing, it would have been nice that it could have been written in a way that it didn't need to grow on you to be enjoyed. In other words it could have been better especially for the first single and opener of the album.

BOTTOM LINE: Brotherhood Of The Snake however flawed, it is definitely something worth listen to and is a great way of showing us just how aggressive and precise an album can be for a straight forward thrasher. To be enjoyed might not happen at first, but let it grow and you will love it. This is definitely one of the best thrash albums of the year and is even more one of the best Testament albums ever. As they've gotten older hey have become masters. Where it could have been better, it's safe to say that however many complaints there are will pale in comparison to how good this is.