Testament – Para Bellum (Album Review)

Even before the music starts, the hand-painted cover art of Para Bellum — depicting a serene angel constructed from missiles amid an apocalyptic backdrop — signals that Testament’s fourteenth studio album is not a nostalgia exercise. As Bay Area thrash veterans with over four decades behind them, Testament carry a legacy most bands could only dream of, yet they sound as ferocious, focused, and genuinely hungry as they ever have. Para Bellum — Latin for “prepare for war” — reflects a band that has no interest in softening with age. Instead, Testament deliver an album that pushes modern thrash forward with sharpened aggression, calculated darkness, and a disciplined sense of purpose. The result is a record that stands tall within their modern era and feels essential rather than ceremonial.

A Balanced Onslaught of Speed and Substance

From the opening seconds of “For the Love of Pain,” Para Bellum explodes with immediate intent. New drummer Chris Dovas wastes no time announcing himself, attacking the kit with relentless precision and raw physicality. Replacing a figure as iconic as Gene Hoglan is no small task, but Dovas doesn’t attempt imitation — he injects youthful violence and urgency that propels Testament into heavier, more extreme territory. The track itself is a whirlwind of serrated riffing, muscular grooves, and subtle blackened textures that nod to Eric Peterson’s extreme metal instincts. It’s an invigorating opener that makes one thing clear: this band is not here to replay the hits.

Lead single “Infanticide A.I.” follows as a high-velocity juggernaut, pairing blistering thrash speed with a venomous critique of technological overreach. Chuck Billy sounds commanding and dangerous, shifting seamlessly between classic thrash bark, guttural snarls, and eerie vocal inflections that give the song real narrative weight. Guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick are locked in, unleashing riffs that feel both brutal and purposeful. Skolnick’s soloing here is particularly striking — fluid, sharp, and perfectly integrated into the song’s momentum rather than existing as technical exhibition. When the mid-tempo menace of “Shadow People” emerges, its ominous groove and dark undercurrents reinforce the sense that Para Bellum is expanding Testament’s sound without ever abandoning its thrash foundation.

Despite its aggression, Para Bellum avoids becoming a one-dimensional barrage. Midway through the record, Testament introduce greater melodic range and dynamic contrast without losing intensity. “Meant to Be” stands as the album’s boldest left turn — a seven-and-a-half-minute epic that layers orchestral elements, clean guitar passages, and crushing heaviness into a slow-burning emotional centerpiece. Rather than feeling forced or sentimental, the track comes across as mature and earned. Chuck Billy delivers one of his most nuanced performances here, while Skolnick’s soaring solo injects genuine feeling into the arrangement. It’s an ambitious moment that deepens the album and proves Testament are still willing to challenge themselves creatively.

Once that tension breaks, the band returns to full-throttle assault. “High Noon” injects a swaggering groove laced with playful menace, while “Witch Hunt” and “Nature of the Beast” channel classic heavy metal melody through a modern thrash lens. Deeper cuts like “Room 117” and “Havana Syndrome” showcase Testament’s continued ability to evolve within their framework — the former locking into a thick, hook-driven mid-tempo stomp, the latter weaving galloping rhythms and harmonized leads into a crushing attack. The closing title track, “Para Bellum,” serves as a fitting finale: expansive, punishing, and layered with atmosphere, technical precision, and pure intent.

Standout Tracks

• “Infanticide A.I.” — A blistering, high-speed standout that captures Testament at their most vicious. Modern thrash riffing, scathing themes, and surgical musicianship collide in one of the band’s fiercest tracks to date.
• “Meant to Be” — A daring, emotionally driven centerpiece that expands Testament’s sonic palette. Orchestration, atmosphere, and heavy dynamics combine into a track that feels monumental rather than indulgent.
• “Havana Syndrome” — Galloping riffs and melodic twin-guitar leads give this song a classic-metal undercurrent while maintaining a relentless thrash backbone. It’s one of the album’s most memorable late-stage punches.

Performance and Production

Performance-wise, Para Bellum captures Testament operating at peak efficiency. Chuck Billy remains one of thrash metal’s most authoritative frontmen, delivering vocals that balance brutality with control. Eric Peterson’s rhythm guitar work is dense and deliberate, providing the album’s unshakable foundation, while Alex Skolnick’s leads cut through with precision and personality. Steve Di Giorgio’s bass lines add depth and movement beneath the guitar onslaught, and Chris Dovas proves himself a formidable new force behind the kit, injecting speed, violence, and momentum throughout.

The production is equally formidable. Mixed by Jens Bogren, the album sounds massive without sacrificing clarity. Every instrument occupies its space, allowing the record’s density to feel powerful rather than cluttered. The guitars hit with weight, the drums punch with authority, and the atmospheric elements are woven in seamlessly. Para Bellum sounds modern, sharp, and uncompromising — exactly how a Testament record should sound in 2025.

Legacy Secure – Testament’s War Cry

At a time when many veteran bands rely on legacy alone, Testament continue to raise the bar. Para Bellum proves that thrash metal’s old guard can still outpace, outthink, and outplay much of the genre’s younger wave. This is not a band coasting — it’s a band sharpening its edge. There are moments of risk and stylistic expansion, but nothing feels half-hearted or stale. If anything, those risks give the album its identity.

Ultimately, Para Bellum stands as one of Testament’s strongest modern releases — a focused, aggressive, and deeply confident record that reinforces their relevance rather than merely celebrating their past. Fourteen albums in, Testament still sound dangerous, still sound motivated, and still sound like leaders. Para Bellum is available now via Nuclear Blast Records — you can grab it on Amazon — and it serves as a clear reminder that Testament have no intention of surrendering their throne.