The Formation of Damnation (Nuclear Blast): B+
It’s been seven years since the last studio album from Testament, which emerged from the same early ’80s Bay Area thrash scene that produced Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Exodus and Anthrax. Vocalist Chuck Billy has since beaten cancer and the original lineup is intact, except for drummer Louie Clemente. The result is a primer on speed metal that should be mandatory listening for would-be shredders. This is precisely the type of killer metal disenfranchised Metallica fans have been pining for. Download: “Killing Season.”
