Brotherhood of the Snake

While Metallica floundered for years, even now struggling to claw back their dignity - some veteran thrash bands never faltered or fell. I always credit New Jersey's Overkill as being the most underrated of these, and a few others such as Exodus and Annihilator who have found their feet again. But the titans of Testament always slip my mind in this respect, mainly because they genuinely have never put a foot wrong since their debut dropped in 1987. Their sheer consistency hides them from the limelight because there is no controversy surrounding them. But it is bands like this who deserve the most limelight! A cruel 4 years after their epic "Dark Roots of the Earth" album, Alex Skolnick and co. thrust their collective fists into your face for another 45 minutes of solid thrash metal done the way only Testament know how.

Once the opening blast of the title-track explodes into your ear-holes, you know it's business as usual. But you couldn't be happier about it! This might be the fastest blast-beat in Testament's catalogue, and although they've got nothing to prove, it's a...erm...testament...if you will, to their staying power. This was the first song released as a single from the album - and it was a hell of a choice. A memorable chorus, a slicing riff, and an intriguing outro section seguéing perfectly into the next track. The other single chosen for release was track 3: "Stronghold". Chock full of old-school intensity, it's the thrash anthem 2016 was waiting for, and my personal favourite on the album. Shouting "UP RISE STRONG-HOLD!!" along with Chuck is utterly irresistible.

Speaking of good ol' Chuck Billy - he is indomitable once again. 100% in control. Total charisma and brutality in equal measure. For a man who survived a near-death experience with cancer in 2001, his characterful roars have only aged like a fine wine. Check him out on the chorus of "Canna-Business" - sheer power!! The rest of the band follow suit - I mean, this is basically a supergroup! The mainstays of Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson make a formidable duo on the strings; Steve DiGorgio (!) is a little hidden by the mix, but such a talented veteran bass player cannot be eclipsed. And behind the kit once again is...Gene Hoglan...yeah, no explanation needed. Oh, and the mix is handled by Andy Sneap. No explanation needed. This is a goddamn supergroup on all fronts.

There may not be any 7-minute-plus epic a la "Throne of Thorns", but that doesn't eliminate any aspect of progression from "Brotherhood of the Snake". The title-track uses an unconventional structure; there is a sense of development throughout "Centuries of Suffering"; and "Seven Seals" is definitely a slow burner. But let it burn! Skolnick's solos are also a dominating feature of the album - never quite appearing when you expect, but always performed with flair.

The true highlights of this LP are the traditional high-energy thrashterpieces (yup, that's now a word). "Canna-Business" does seem a little brief - but the vibrancy shot into the first half is as addictive as its subject matter. The mid-to-fast chug of "The Pale King" is a neck-breaker straight from 1988. And "The Number Game", with its clever lyrics and punishing breakdown section, makes for the perfect closer. Nothing here comes off as forgettable or repetitive.

2008's "The Formation of Damnation", 2012's "Dark Roots of the Earth" and now 2016's "Brotherhood of The Snake". Will the inexorable steamroller of Testament ever be halted? God I hope not, because these guys have been kicking ass since 1987 and show no signs of even putting a toe on the brake pedal. Testament fan? Buy it. Thrash fan? Buy it. Metal fan in general? Buy it. Each thrash metal band this year is raising the bar even more for Metallica - and it's almost their turn...

"They've been watching you.
Through shape-shift eyes,
In Sumerian disguise,
By the Gods who decree our fate!"