Bay area thrash metal legends, Testament, are back with album number 10, and they’re holding nothing back! Their last album, The Formation of Damnation, was one of the best metal albums of the past decade, so I knew we were in for something special with this killer follow-up. It kicks off strongly with ‘Rise Up’ – which will no doubt feature predominantly in the band’s live set, with that aggressive, driven style we’ve come to love from Testament. The title track is just one of many favourites on this album. Renowned heavy metal producer Andy Sneap has done a fantastic job producing Dark Roots of Earth while keeping the sound and feel 100 per cent Testament. Featuring the atomic clock on drums, Gene Hoglan, and the brilliant bass work of Greg Christian, the rhythm section leaves no stone unturned, delivering pounding riffs and hellish beats. The guitar work displayed by Skolnick and Peterson is by far their finest work, with phenomenal dual guitar solos, and vocalist Chuck Billy is at the top of his game. If you’ve been living under a rock it’s time to crawl on out and grab yourself a copy of what will no doubt be classed as the thrash metal album of 2012.
Riot! Entertainment / Nuclear Blast
4.5/5
Reviewer: Cameron Edney