Secret Boulder passages, hidden bathrooms and of course the high society living. Wiping the sacred parchment whilst eating what could be seen as an entire farm, Homer, not the Greek literary genius but the balding yellow charmer is banished from The Stone Cutters forever. Thankfully our Duff drinking main man hasn’t anything happen to him but not all are so lucky. Tackling the idea of secret society’s within this world we know Testament invite you into the belly of the beast to join The Brotherhood Of The Snake.
[tracklist]
- Brotherhood Of The Snake
- The Pale King
- Stronghold
- Seven Seals
- Born In A Rut
- Centuries of Suffering
- Neptune’s Spear
- Black Jack
- Canna Business
- The Number Game
[/tracklist][details]
[length]46:00[/length]
[record_label]Nuclear Blast Records[/record_label]
[release_date]October 28th 2016[/release_date]
[/details]
Manifesting themselves in innumerous ways, secret societies the likes of the Freemasons are all knowing all powerful entities. Omnipresent in media, a modern, if a little abstract take on the three fates in the legend of Hercules given the power to change the future. However the past cannot be changed. “Centuries of Suffering” tackles these ideas of recurring bloodshed that humanity has experienced. Featuring all of the hallmark Skolnick / Peterson riffing its muscular riffs are its centrepiece holding up the body of songwriting. Classic eighties influence of “The Pale King” sees quick fire chords against a battering ram of riffs before easing up for an almost half time mid section. Bringing together the magnificent pairing of Steve Di Giorgio and Gene Hoglan the rhythmic power house get behind each section, fortifying Eric Peterson and Skolnick’s riffs.
Moving into the thematics of assassination”Neptunes Spear“, I believe, tackles the targeting and killing of Osama. Pin point direction the track understands its musical schematics perfectly to execute its “One shot kill” policy. Despite their iron clad riffing Testament have the ability to turn a track completely on its head. From a more rhythmic standpoint, the injection of speed in mid paced “Seven Seals” gives the song a renewed sense of life. Similarly the pattern repeats on “Stronghold” leaping into a major key solo section, making it easily the standout lead piece on the record, before delving back into the more minor keys relentless riffing. Venomous, vehement and unforgiving this is Testament at their most furious. Particularly with Chuck Billy’s genuinely incandescent delivery on “The Brotherhood Of The Snake“. Together with the remorseless opening with the crash cymbal almost actng as metaphorical gunshot start to a race. Spitting lyrics at the listener it’s not all serious however, tongue in cheek social commentary on cannabis and its uses in modern medicine is a work of pure genius. Sounding like a musical Rambo the lines of “A stoned world order” and the brilliantly placed “smoke ’em if you got ’em” lines of “Canna Business” give a sense the slick, stylish and well swagger!
Ending the record on just as much of an offensive as it begun, “The Number Game” once more brings Billy’s lyrical ideas together. Numbers decrease as the story unfolds representing a killing spree, creating a great sense of narrative, keeping the listener on their toes. Anchored of course with the diminished riffing even recalling Symbolic era Death with Hoglan’s performance this band are seriously pissed off. Snakes may well shed their skin but Testament retain their signature identity, coiled and ready for their next deadly strike the band are at their most venomous in years and it sounds absolutely phenomenal.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Perfectly crafted songs that explode Testament’s true fury this is an angry album make no mistake. With a cast put together this well the four year wait was worth it. Welcome to The Brotherhood Of The Snake.[/why]
If you like what you read / heard then you can pick up a copy of the record here!
