Testament‘s fourteenth album Para Bellum, their first since 2020’s Titans Of Creation, features most of the same lineup. Longtime drummer Gene Hoglan has departed, replaced by ex-Seven Spires drummer Chris Dovas, whose musical chops often help to contribute and compliment the chaos contained within.
On opener “For The Love Of Pain,” vocalist Chuck Billy isn’t shy about illustrating the heavier side of his vocal performance, which is reminiscent of albums like Low and The Gathering, making for a different kind of start to an album. The song is more mid-paced than you would want, but that’s more than made up for with the follow-up “Infanticide A.I.”. The song flies in your face and sees guitarist extraordinaire Alex Skolnick lighting the fretboard on fire all while Billy muses about the dangers of artificial intelligence.
“Shadow People” opens with a nice groove, one that feels very on brand with ‘00s Testament records from The Formation Of Damnation going forward. The riffs take on a Middle Eastern flavor before the track delves into another wicked riff and solo as the song works towards its close.
For as powerful as the first three songs are, most of that momentum is squashed by the ballad “Meant To Be,” feeling crowbarred into the album and not in an organic way like Practice What You Preach’s “The Ballad.” The song is borderline symphonic and puts the emphasis on Billy’s gruff delivery, but the track comes off as hackneyed and unnecessary, its 7 and half minute run time being the most egregious of this album’s shortcomings.
Thankfully the album gets a much-needed jolt from the combination of “High Noon” and “Witch Hunt,” helping to bring back the intensity from a few tracks prior. “Room 117” is one of the album’s best kept secrets, high speed and inventive chugging riffs coupled with Dovas’ drumming providing ample rhythm for the band to use as the bedrock for this tune.
The album ends with its title track, an initial slow burn that builds to a crescendo as they being to “prepare for war” making for a true band effort allowing members like bassist Steve DiGiorgio and guitarist Eric Peterson to continue to shine through what feels like the completion of a balanced and collaborative effort.
It is tough for bands that have been around for as long as Testament to maintain the level of consistency that they are capable of for as long as they have, so that alone should be applauded. But for every “Infanticide A.I.” and “Room 117” there are “Meant To Be” and the milquetoast “Nature of the Beast.”
This record is for longtime fans of the band, as newcomers may miss the magic of their original albums or even the more recent The Formation Of Damnation and Dark Roots Of Earth. While Para Bellum has more highs than lows, it doesn’t do much to advance the legacy of this legendary band
(released October 10, 2025 on Nuclear Blast)
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Watch Testament – “Infanticide A.I.” Video
