Out 10 October, 2025
Via Nuclear Blast Records
Words by: Greg Walker
At a time when our pioneering bands are quitting the touring grind or retiring altogether, or one-time trailblazers are taking an aeon to release another slab of a mediocre memory of Thrash Metal past, it’s nice to know there’s a pillar of strength we can always rely on in lean times. Testament returns with their 17th studio effort, and in upcoming Para Bellum the Bay Area bruisers have cranked out a slab that encompasses much of their career’s substantial scope to date, making for a much better listen overall.
A showcase for new drummer Chris Dovas, Para Bellum cracks open with For The Love Of Pain, unmistakably Testament, really leaning into the thrash aspect without losing any of the melody that’s a staple of the legacy. A throwback to their 90s output, vocalist Chuck Billy alternates between trademark roar and scowling shriek, the blistering velocity has a curious Black Metal feel to it with frenetic picking and melodious overlays. I was fortunate to have witnessed Dovas live with the band back in June this year, and what a phenomenal talent. Here he immediately announces his intent, Para Bellum is his The Gathering, rivalling the enormous stamp the incomparable Dave Lombardo left on Testament’s emergence from the wilderness that was the 1990s. Injecting the youthful exuberance of a 27-year-old drummer into such a seasoned band is genius, and at this rate Testament could easily go on for another 10-20 years, especially as a recording band, maintaining the current high-quality material.
Infanticide AI brandishes the rabid go-for-the-throat speed Testament include in their modus operandi. Flashing moments of similar turbulent Black Metal footprints as the opener, the lead single is a good overall indication of what to expect from Para Bellum. Fellow advanced single Shadow People is a stylistic counter to the fast-pace, built around a bouncy groove, a good album teaser.
Testament have mastered the art of the power ballad, and in Meant To Be have created a refuge in the havoc around it. Their first ballad in years is obviously constructed with care, the composition itself is assembled to effect the build and climax, like all good ballads, and comes off as an epic stirring anthem I’d pay to see performed live. Chuck Billy’s clean range is laid bare, from goosebump-inducing poise to belting out huge powerful hooks as impressive as his gut-deep roars. Speaking of, the immediately following High Noon starts with a roaring bellow, feeling like something off Low which is most welcome, the riffs and their tone, Billy’s delivery, an exciting shot of nostalgia.
The dark horse of this race, Nature Of The Beast stands out for all the right reasons. Launching with a highly polished NWOBHM sound, a gargantuan groove drives this tale of gambling highs and lows. Chuck Billy’s clean fry rasp suits the 70s flashy performance, instinct settling Chris Dovas into a suitably comfortable pocket. I can picture the guys having a ball coming up with this rocker, egging one another along until ultimately Alex steps forward to unleash some suitably flamboyant Scholnickery. Fantastic track, the album’s unquestionable highlight for me, this song worth the price of admission on its own.
If there were an album between The Ritual and Low, deep cut Room 117 would’ve featured on it, another bounce driven monster. Havana Syndrome is a mid-tempo jaunt, and the closing title track is a stomping beast of a headbanger, an epic closer flaunting literally every aspect of the arsenal Testament offers up on Para Bellum.
The runtime feels shorter than its 50 minutes, I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun. It’s all here: solos traded over the top of speed and bounce, blast beats versus locked in groove, melody, crunch, spleen busting growls and balanced with clean deliveries. Para Bellum is more adventurous than the last few albums that have seemed to stay in their own lane, and is a stronger collection for having the balls to encompass a number of the band’s musical eras, more variety holding interest and attention, rendering the listener eager to hear what the next track brings.
Needless to say, a band boasting Alex Scholnick and Eric Petersen is brimming with guitar talent and that much is on display here. Now throw in Steve Di Giorgio into the rhythm section with Dovas and the level of musicianship should be apparent. At this point in their career Testament have no excuses and absolutely offer none.
