Track Listing

1. For the Glory of...
2. More Than Meets the Eye
3. The Evil Has Landed
4. The Formation of Damnation
5. Dangers of the Faithless
6. The Persecuted Won't Forget
7. Henchmen Ride
8. Killing Season
9. Afterlife
10. F.E.A.R.
11. Leave Me Forever

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #922 in Music
• Released on: 2008-04-29
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
The Formation of Damnation is the 2008 release-- the first Testament studio album of all new material in nine years. This is the first Testament album to feature Alex Skolnick on guitar since 1992's The Ritual, also the first to feature bassist Greg Christian since 1994's Low. Testament are an US thrash metal band from California. Some of their records entered the charts in major markets such as the UK and Germany. Testament has two Top 40 albums and one Top 50 album to its credit in the UK. Their 1999 album The Gathering also entered the Top 50 in Germany. They had minor top 100 album success in the United States.

Customer Reviews

Testament to the Bone...
Very good production. You can hear everything very clearly and in its place with very clear and strong tones. Same for mixing. Everything is in balance.

Most of the writing is done by Chuck and Eric. In terms of song writing quality, do not expect a new The Gathering though. Although it has been several years since their last offering, the song writing feels like they have rushed a little bit. This does not mean that the album is bad, but rather there are no surprises. The songs mostly start and finish in the same way. This is pure thrash metal.

Vocals of Chuck are there, in a few songs growling still. It is at the top. Riffs are thrash riffs. A lot of fast riffs. Nearly no mid tempo stuff. Fast as hell. Thanx to Eric's capabilities. Solos. Well Alex is back so no worries here. Very technical. No disappointment...

As for the drumming; I know that Paul Bostaph is one of the best drummers around the metal scene. He is very good in terms of technicality. But the way he fills the songs, he tries to do a lot of work so the songs may not flow sometimes. If you listened to Slayer after Dave Lombardo till their last LP you now what I mean. Same as Shovel Headed Kill Machine of Exodus. The problem is that he tries to show himself, and I think that does not work. So this is a problem in the running of the songs but anyway, this is Testament... How bad they can get?

Give the LP sometime. It simply grows on you. The more I listen, the more it gets better.

ps. There's a Euro-version of the LP that includes a DVD. I always buy these special editions but for this release it is not a must. Behind the scene footage (average), photos... Nothing special here.

Hey, and buy it, do not download it. Let the guys sell records. They are not Justin or Madonna. They need to SELL records in order to survive...

BRINGIN BACK THE CLASSIC THRASH ROOTS
This is just what I needed to hear man. It's not as great as previous releases, but hell I love it. This is highly recommended.

A Return to Form For Testament!
I was a big Testament fan when the Legacy came out, and also really liked the New Order and Practice What You Preach. Obviously Alex Skolnick's guitar work was one of the main reasons I listened, and when I heard he was back I had to pick up TFoD. So far I really like it, a few repetive songs that aren't that great, but on the whole this is a solid release, and as mentioned before Testament seems to get heavier the older they get which is awesome. One thing I would mention, Skolnick's scorching guitar seems isn't as pronounced as I would've hoped, I really think a guitarist as incredible as him should be more forward in the mix. Paul Bostaph is an excellent drummer and a welcome addition to the original lineup. Overall, I'll give it 4 stars, one of the best metal records of the last few years.