In the hallowed pantheon of Bay Area thrash metal, Testament stands as an undisputed titan, a band whose legacy spans four decades of relentless sonic warfare. Since their 1987 debut The Legacy, Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson have weathered lineup changes, genre trends, and the inevitable march of time itself, emerging each cycle more ferocious than before. Their 2020 offering Titans of Creation reminded us why Testament remains essential listening, but as October 10, 2025 rolled around, the question loomed large: Could these veterans, now deep into their fifth decade as a band, still deliver the goods? Para Bellum, Latin for "prepare for war," drawn from the ancient maxim "Si vis pacem, para bellum" (if you want peace, prepare for war), arrives via Nuclear Blast as Testament's fourteenth studio album, and spoiler alert: this is no victory lap. This is a declaration of dominance, a scorched-earth assault that proves Testament isn't merely surviving in 2025, they're thriving. With the infusion of new blood behind the kit and the masterful touch of Jens Bogren behind the mixing board, Para Bellum represents not just a continuation of Testament's storied career, but a revitalization that few bands of their vintage could hope to achieve. The anticipation has been palpable. Five years is an eternity in thrash metal years, and the faithful have been champing at the bit. Does Testament still possess the fire? Buckle up, because they're about to burn down everything in their path.
The Chris Dovas Effect: A Breath of Fresh Air
Let's address the elephant, or rather, the thundering double-bass, in the room: Chris Dovas. Replacing Gene Hoglan is no small task; the man they call "The Atomic Clock" left impossibly large shoes to fill. Yet Dovas, younger and hungrier, brings a revitalized energy to Para Bellum that's immediately palpable from the album's opening salvo.
This isn't merely competent drumming, this is a statement.
Dovas attacks the kit with the ferocity of someone who has something to prove, and his technique is absolutely devastating. His blast beats are surgical, his fills creative without being showy, and his double-bass work? Absolutely relentless. What's perhaps most exciting is how his presence seems to have lit a fire under the entire band. Eric Peterson's riffs feel tighter and more aggressive, while Alex Skolnick's leads have an urgency that recalls Testament's golden era, specifically The Gathering (1999), when Dave Lombardo's presence elevated everyone's game.
There's a youthful exuberance here that's infectious. On tracks like "Infanticide A.I.," Dovas pushes tempos into the stratosphere, forcing Peterson and Skolnick to match his intensity. The result? Some of the fastest, most vicious Testament material in over a decade. Yet he's not just a speed demon, his pocket on mid-tempo crushers like "Shadow People" demonstrates maturity beyond his years, laying down grooves that would make even Hoglan nod in approval.
The chemistry is undeniable, and the Chris Dovas era of Testament has begun with a deafening roar.
Testament - Para Bellum
In-Depth Analysis: Riffs, Melodies, and Groove
The Peterson/Skolnick Pairing
If Testament has a secret weapon, it's the alchemy between Eric Peterson's rhythmic brutality and Alex Skolnick's jazz-inflected technical wizardry. On Para Bellum, this partnership reaches new heights, with Peterson crafting some of his most memorable riff sequences since The Formation of Damnation.
Peterson's trademark crunch is everywhere, those palm-muted gallops, those descending chromatic patterns that feel like tectonic plates colliding. His rhythm work on "Infanticide A.I." is particularly savage, a thrash metal masterclass in tension and release. But what elevates these compositions is Skolnick's counterpoint. Where Peterson bulldozes, Skolnick dances. His solos are miniature symphonies, incorporating jazz phrasing, sweep-picked arpeggios, and that singing, lyrical quality that's become his signature.
The interplay between these two guitars, the primal and the cerebral, the hammer and the scalpel, creates a dynamic that few thrash bands can match. It's the reason Testament has always stood apart from their peers, and Para Bellum showcases this dynamic at its absolute peak.
Chuck Billy Imperial
And then there's Chuck Billy. At this stage in his career, Billy's voice is a force of nature, a weapon with multiple ammunition types. His death metal growls can peel paint off walls, guttural and menacing, while his cleaner delivery retains that commanding, almost shamanistic quality that's defined Testament's sound since day one.
On Para Bellum, Billy navigates between these vocal approaches with remarkable fluidity. The verses of "Infanticide A.I." feature his most aggressive growling, channeling pure rage, while "Meant to Be" finds him delivering surprisingly vulnerable melodic lines that showcase surprising range and emotional depth. His phrasing remains impeccable, he knows exactly when to attack a line and when to let it breathe.
This is Billy at his imperial best, a vocalist with nothing left to prove, yet still hungry to destroy.
Para Bellum's Essential Tracks
"Infanticide A.I." kicks the door down with extreme prejudice. Chosen as the lead single for good reason, this track is pure adrenaline, a commentary on artificial intelligence and its potential for weaponization, delivered at breakneck velocity. Dovas announces himself immediately with a blast beat intro that doesn't let up, while Peterson's main riff is a serrated blade of chromatic fury. Skolnick's solo is typically virtuosic, but it's the song's sheer momentum that leaves you breathless. This is thrash metal fundamentalism executed at the highest level.
"Shadow People" showcases Testament's dynamic range. Opening with a doom-laden groove, this mid-tempo crusher is all atmosphere and menace. The riff is deceptively simple, a descending pattern that burrows into your skull, while Billy's vocals shift between clean and harsh with unnerving ease. Steve Di Giorgio's bass finally gets its moment here, his fretless work adding an almost prog-rock dimension to the low end. The track builds to a genuinely haunting climax, proof that Testament doesn't need velocity to devastate.
"Meant to Be" will surprise purists, but it's a genuine highlight. Featuring string arrangements and Billy's most melodic vocal performance on the album, this ballad(ish) track recalls "Return to Serenity" but with more emotional heft. Skolnick's lead work here is exquisite, lyrical and singing, it's the kind of solo you could transcribe for a classical guitar. Some will cry foul at Testament going "soft," but the emotional weight and compositional maturity on display here is undeniable. It's a palate cleanser before the final assault.
The title track "Para Bellum" closes the album with epic grandeur. Clocking in at over seven minutes, this is Testament's answer to the classic album closer, building through multiple movements, incorporating acoustic passages, full-band assaults, and a climactic finale that feels genuinely cathartic. Peterson and Skolnick trade solos like generals exchanging battle strategies, while Billy delivers some of his most commanding vocal performances. It's a statement of purpose and a mission accomplished simultaneously.
Production and Mixing
Jens Bogren's involvement immediately raised expectations, and the Swedish producer delivers a mix that walks the tightrope between modern clarity and old-school aggression. The production on Para Bellum is undeniably powerful, every instrument occupies its own sonic space, yet everything melds into a cohesive, crushing whole.
Is it too polished? That's the eternal debate with Bogren's work. Yes, there's a pristine quality here that some old-school purists might find antiseptic. The rough edges of early Testament are gone, replaced by surgical precision. But here's the thing: this approach works for where Testament is in 2025. The clarity allows you to appreciate the compositional complexity, and crucially, Steve Di Giorgio's fretless bass is finally, gloriously audible. His playing has always been phenomenal, but previous Testament productions often buried him. Here, his intricate fingerwork is front and center, adding a progressive dimension that enriches every track.
The drum sound is massive, Dovas's kicks are thunderous, his snare cracks like gunfire, and the cymbal wash is crystalline without being harsh. Guitar tones are thick and saturated, and Billy's vocals sit perfectly in the mix, always intelligible but never disconnected from the instrumental fury.
Verdict: Bogren has enhanced Testament's power without neutering their aggression. This is a modern thrash metal production done right.
Concerts
Collector's corner
Verdict: Did Testament Win the War?
Para Bellum is a triumph, plain and simple. Testament has not only weathered the decades but has emerged with an album that could stand toe-to-toe with their classics. The addition of Chris Dovas has reinvigorated the band's approach, pushing them to write faster, heavier, and with renewed purpose. The Peterson/Skolnick guitar tandem remains one of thrash metal's most potent weapons, while Chuck Billy continues to prove why he's in the conversation for greatest thrash vocalist of all time.
Strengths:
- Chris Dovas brings energy and technical prowess
- Songwriting is focused and varied
- Production allows every element to shine
- Steve Di Giorgio finally gets the mix treatment he deserves
- Range from speed to groove to melody keeps things engaging
Minor Quibbles:
- Some may find the production too clean
- A couple of mid-album tracks could've been trimmed slightly
- The ballad might alienate thrash purists (though they're wrong)
Final Score: 9/10
Testament has prepared for war, and they've won decisively. Para Bellum is essential listening for anyone who believes thrash metal still has something vital to say in 2025. It's an album that respects the band's legacy while refusing to be shackled by it, and it's proof that age is just a number when you still possess the fire.
Recommendation: Buy this immediately. Whether you're a longtime Testament devotee or a newcomer curious about Bay Area thrash at its finest, Para Bellum delivers on every promise. Testament isn't resting on their laurels, they're still at war, and they're still winning.
In a year crowded with metal releases, Para Bellum stands tall as one of 2025's most essential thrash metal statements. Long live Testament.
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