Titans of Creation

Titans of Creation is a mature work on which Testament, while keeping thrash metal’s edge, adds the weight and playing ease gained over a long career. Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick’s guitars very clearly use aggressive riffs and singing-like solos separately, and Chuck Billy’s voice powerfully supports the songs’ center. A record showing that, even as veterans, its creative drive and sharp aggression have not dimmed in the least. From the powerful drive of the opener “Children of the Next Level” and the aggression of “WWIII” to the drama of “Night of the Witch,” the songs by no means end with fast songs alone. Heavy mid-tempo, dramatic development and short instrumentals are deftly placed, while cuts like “City of Angels” and “False Prophet” convey the work’s fullness. Varied songs line up in good balance within one album. A fulfilling work that not only firmly keeps the long, brilliant tradition but shows the outstanding playing of the current Testament as one sure flow. Lyrics treating occult and sci-fi themes also strongly color the band’s world. A engaging thrash-metal work again powerfully showing the mature ability of Testament after the revival — a record showing the band’s vigor.