Demonic

Demonic is a distinctive seventh album on which Testament, while keeping its former thrash edge, foregrounds a lower, slower, heavier pressure. Strongly influenced by death metal, then at its height, it has a distinctly dark, aggressive style even in the band’s catalog. Chuck Billy’s voice growls deep and low, and the riffs proceed powerfully with short, sharp repetition as if crushing the songs. From the aggression of the opener “Demonic Refusal” and the drama of “The Burning Times” to a cut like “John Doe,” every song is engaging, while cuts like “Together as One” and “Distorted Lives” convey the work’s fullness. The quality of its aggression lies no longer in mere speed but in overwhelming weight and unease. A dark, ritual air strongly hangs over the whole. A distinctive yet extremely intense record that inscribes the band’s heavy, experimental side as intensely as possible. As it differs greatly from the former Testament image, opinions may divide, yet its challenging stance is highly praised. A powerful, engaging, controversial work holding the band’s darkest face — a record showing the band’s range.