Testament - The Ritual

During the glory days of metal, there were so many good albums it was impossible to keep up with everything.  Now that music I like is harder to find, I am going back to see what I missed back in the day.

Enter Testament’s The Ritual.

Wow what an album. Metallica had released the Black album in 1991. While many people thought they had sold out a little bit, that still was a metal album. And it sounded magnificent. The following year Testament rolled out what I think was an even better combination of thrash, metal, melody, and excellent songwriting. The meanest looking metal vocalist, Chuck Billy, sounds every bit as good as Hetfield in this album.  The Ritual has stand out songs, of course, but every single track is strong. I have listened to the record about six or seven times over and I remain very impressed.  My only complaint might be that for a band that hates religion, they sure seem to spend a lot of time talking about it. As I listen to the songs, I like to think of them as a cry for help, a search for something more.  My iTunes app claims that their first album is essential, but I think this one is their absolute best.

I highly recommend it.

I wouldn't say it's their best, Practice What You Preach gets that nod from me but I really enjoy The Ritual and think Return to Serenity is the perfect thrash ballad. 
I don't think they hate religion, Chuck is Catholic or was, but they get hung up on the hypocrisy of so many.

Honestly could not get into this album aside from "Return To Serenity."
I remember trying about 6 months ago, might try again some day.

One album of theirs that gets no love - that I think is really good - is "Souls Of Black."   
The title track and "The Legacy" are great, as are "Seven Days Of May" and "Face In The Sky."

I still will always regard the 1st album as their absolute best though.
It's just one of my favorite metal albums, period.

Constantine wrote:Honestly could not get into this album aside from "Return To Serenity."
I remember trying about 6 months ago, might try again some day.

One album of theirs that gets no love - that I think is really good - is "Souls Of Black."   
The title track and "The Legacy" are great, as are "Seven Days Of May" and "Face In The Sky."

I still will always regard the 1st album as their absolute best though.
It's just one of my favorite metal albums, period.

"Souls" is actually my personal favorite Testament album. Their first 5 albums are glorious.

Souls is hit and miss but the songs you listed are good enough to make it worth having.

I’ll give their first couple of albums another listen.  They are pretty raw and seem to have a lot of filler material.  When I want raw thrash and need every song to be great, I still place Kill ‘Em All in my turntable!

heck wrote:During the glory days of metal, there were so many good albums it was impossible to keep up with everything.  Now that music I like is harder to find, I am going back to see what I missed back in the day.

Enter Testament’s The Ritual.

Wow what an album. Metallica had released the Black album in 1991. While many people thought they had sold out a little bit, that still was a metal album. And it sounded magnificent. The following year Testament rolled out what I think was an even better combination of thrash, metal, melody, and excellent songwriting. The meanest looking metal vocalist, Chuck Billy, sounds every bit as good as Hetfield in this album.  The Ritual has stand out songs, of course, but every single track is strong. I have listened to the record about six or seven times over and I remain very impressed.  My only complaint might be that for a band that hates religion, they sure seem to spend a lot of time talking about it. As I listen to the songs, I like to think of them as a cry for help, a search for something more.  My iTunes app claims that their first album is essential, but I think this one is their absolute best.

I highly recommend it.

Testament is my favorite thrash band of all time, close seconded by Overkill, and Forbidden. All of whom should become as big or bigger than Metallica, megadeth, and slayer- all 3 whom I also love.
My personal fave Testament album in *the new order*, just love the foreboding atmosphere of the album and its prophetic lyrics. Chuck Billy is a vocal god, his range is unbelievable, and still to this day, and the band to this day is one of a handful that just keep on delivering a d getting better and better with age(test and overkill I would say are the reigning gods 9f thrash while most other thrash godfathers have faded or become *less than* in various ways).
LONG LIVE TESTAMENT!

Black Rider wrote:I wouldn't say it's their best, Practice What You Preach gets that nod from me but I really enjoy The Ritual and think Return to Serenity is the perfect thrash ballad. 
I don't think they hate religion, Chuck is Catholic or was, but they get hung up on the hypocrisy of so many.

I dont think Chuck is catholic, you may have him confused with Tom Araya of Slayer. Chucks more into his native american traditional beliefs and culture (though I think he is open to aspects of some other religions including some aspects of christianity).

I think he used to be and it shows up in a couple songs but maybe I am confusing him with someone else. Happens when you hit your 50s.

Black Rider wrote:I think he used to be and it shows up in a couple songs but maybe I am confusing him with someone else. Happens when you hit your 50s.

I'm in my early 40s and I already get confused too, lol! Happens when you hit mid-age, hehehe! Cheers.

Contrarian Deist wrote:

Black Rider wrote:I wouldn't say it's their best, Practice What You Preach gets that nod from me but I really enjoy The Ritual and think Return to Serenity is the perfect thrash ballad. 
I don't think they hate religion, Chuck is Catholic or was, but they get hung up on the hypocrisy of so many.

I dont think Chuck is catholic,  you may have him confused with Tom Araya of Slayer. Chucks more into his native american traditional beliefs and culture (though I think he is open to aspects of some other religions including some aspects of christianity).

Chuck has said that he was raised Catholic. He embraced his native roots when he looked to it for cancer treatment.

The Ritual is great, especially Electric Crown. Practice What You Preach is my favorite from them, but I don't dislike any Testament album. One of my favorite thrash bands!