Titans of Creation

Testament need no introduction, having been around since the '80s and not pulled a disappearing act during the '90s. I liked their last few albums though they weren't all that exciting—just good. With Titans of Creation, the band steers the ship the right way. It's similar in style to their last few albums, but they've cranked everything up. The production is punchy and crystal clear. The guitars are razor-sharp with some punishing riffs and some cool solos here and there and the drums just add the needed thunder to it all. Chuck Billy's distinctive vocals are part of Testament's signature sound and he once again delivers the goods here and I found that on occasion he borrows his style from Mille of Kreator, giving some songs some added aggression.

Their last few albums made it feel like Testament were holding back and playing it a little too safe with good but softish thrash, but Titans of Creation does away with that and the result is a damn fine, catchy, heavy melodic thrash album that marries the band's old and new sounds and beats the hell out of the speakers with it.