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Testament: Demonic
15/11/07 || The Duff
This here was my first Testament album, and as much as I’m not ashamed for having liked it, heh, I can’t deny I deserve a slap on the wrist and a cock in the face for having thought it to be an incomparable effort by the band. Well, in some ways it is (this is their most death-oriented effort – in large part due to the vocals), but there is much better Testament to be heard – this was yet another album released during their awkward phase, a result of constant line-up changes and intra-band disarray.
One of the chief reasons for which “Demonic” falls flat on its face is with the production, because the riffing isn’t technical enough for the no-punch sound the guitars have been awarded. In fact, the production that adorns this disc would sound more suited to a thrash album, proof that Testament are out of their depth on this effort.
The guitars never seem to want to leave the thrash domain of past years all the while trying to distance themselves from it, as although not really all that death-metal, they do seem to be opting for a departure from the often criticized “Low” album-sound while retaining the straight-up metal edge that might have been one of the album’s few saving graces – this unfortunately involves an upping in the intensity without the tunes to back it up.
Of course, Eric Peterson is a talented musician, and so you don’t get completely hopeless music, but you do get something of a very flat nature, and nothing really of any substantial value, indicating that Testament are a band in need of two guitarists so as to maintain a certain level of creativity a-flowin’.
Chuck Billy shows why he is one of metal’s finest figures, bellowing out tracks and giving “Demonic” the gusto it requires to carry it forward – far more guttural than anything I’ve heard him belt out in the past, Chuck’s performance here is frightening, and a prime reason for which “Demonic” falls short of being a stale effort. Like I said, this isn’t such a terrible album, but from a band like Testament, just nowhere near good enough.
Gene Hoglan plays drums. That is all, Penisfaces.
5 shameful days out of 10.
- Information
- Released: 1997
- Label: Music For Nations
- Website: www.testamentlegions.com
- Band
- Chuck Billy: vocals
- Eric Peterson: guitars
- Derrick Ramirez: bass
- Gene Hoglan: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. Demonic Refusal
- 02. The Burning Times
- 03. Together as One
- 04. Jun-Jun
- 05. John Doe
- 06. Murky Waters
- 07. Hatreds Arise
- 08. Distorted Lives
- 09. New Eyes of Old
- 10. Ten Thousand Thrones
- 11. Nostrovia
