Anthrax amazed with their brilliant album and now the true thrash metal masters return with the next chapter in their storied career. Testament are the only thrash metal band that hasn't dropped a turd in their history and that record stays fully intact with Dark Roots Of Earth. If I am to be honest this album isn't as good as The Formation Of Damnation and considering how unbelievably great that album is, making another one to follow it is nearly impossible.DRoE stands on its own with monster metal classics like the title track and "Man Kills Mankind" that sound a little darker if that is even possible. The groove of "A Day In The Death" is classic Testament and one of the albums best tracks. Many have complained greatly about the song "Cold Embrace" but I think it is better than "The Ballad" and is nearly as good as "Return To Serenity" both not bad songs at all. I actually appreciate the change of pace from breakneck metal to melodic metal structures. Chuck's voice really sounds great and Snead did a wonderful job of producing the song to make it multifaceted in its slower tempo.
When the band finds their groove as on "Throne Of Thorns" they are impeccable on every level. This song is not just the albums best song it is one of their best songs ever, period. The twin guitar soloing is on an Iron Maiden level and then the breakdown into the solo is spine tingling. Skolnick sounds like he's totally bought into the bands sound and their vision as he just lays down a solo that should even impress him after listening to it. I dare anyone not to mosh, bang thy head, punch air or just fucking lose their mind while "Last Stand For Independence" blasts out your speakers.
Testament has once again created a five star album that is yet another classic of epic proportions. They take everything that is great about heavy metal wrap it up in a delicious package and present it at an all you can eat buffet. There is not one single thing Eric Peterson or Chuck Billy could have done to make a better album. As I said it is not as good as the musical journey they took us on in 2008 but one thing that is better and that is, Andy Sneads production. He makes the band a little snappier and glossier which makes this album really digestible with the only song that falters for me is "Animal Magnetism" that just sits a little to far in the doom metal genre for me but I still didn't hate the song.
It is just about impossible to not have to pick your jaw up off the floor at the conclusion of Dark Roots Of Earth because this is some of the best metal your ears will hear this year and honestly any year. Bands like Testament are one in a million and not since The Beatles has a band been this incredible in the quality department when making full-length albums. If their is any other bands who are in the category of not making a bad album who would there be outside of maybe the orignal Black Sabbath line-up and Saigon Kick there is no other bands I can think of who've been this consistently great besides the very short list I've made. Best metal album of 2012 and I'm pretty sure this is going to stand for the rest of the year because who else is coming down the pipe that can compete?
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