Testament Brotherhood of the snake Review
Brotherhood of the Snake see’s the fifth member of The Big 4 return firing at all cylinders.
This is their eleventh Studio album and their third since 2008 which marked a new era for the band with the release of “The Formation of Damnation”. That album saw the band return after a nine year gap with the reformed “Classic” line-up (with the addition of Paul Bostaph on drums) and it saw the band come full circle musically.
The return to their classic 80’s style and approach but with lessons learned from the 90’s experimental era, 20 plus years experience and with modern studio technology in tow. Much like Iron Maiden’s “Brave new World” that album marked a new era and a new standard for the band. With the addition of Bass wizard Steve DiGiorgio and the drum master Gene Hoglan. (Both have played on previous Testament albums over the years) It’s Testament’s ultimate line up and the stars have aligned. Something catastrophic has to happen for them to mess this up.
Now first I want to get out of the way “Brotherhood…” is not what the hype around it necessarily suggested. No, it’s not “The Gathering” that album was a one off, the band will never make that album again nor do they need to and the sooner we accept that the better off we will all be. Nor is it the brutal shred fest the band spoke so much off. Leading up to its release the band had said how it is a balls to the wall album with every song being fast etc. It isn’t, not that that’s a bad thing but it does throw you off on the first couple of listens because you are geared up for “Reign in Blood” and that’s not what you get. What the album is however is simply a natural follow-up from 2012’s “Dark Roots of the Earth” and continues what the band started in with “The Formation of Damnation”. It’s a varied and balanced modern slice of metal.
The album explodes into action with the title track and one of the bands greatest songs. The album then goes through a journey exploring different styles and atmospheres from the odd tempos of “Born in a rut” and the groove of “The Pale King” not to mention the classic rock story telling of “Black Jack” and don’t get me wrong there are still plenty of face-melters “Centuries of Suffering” for example is a future pit classic.
I won’t come out with any bold statements like “The best album since…..” the truth is Testament have never done a bad album and most bands dream of releasing an album as good as Testament’s worst. “Brotherhood of the Snake” is a fine addition to a stellar body of work that will sit nicely with the rest of the collection. It is an album that assures Testament in 2016 is on fine form with a fantastic line-up and a kick ass new album with will please the old school die-hards and win over newcomers alike.
