Following 2008’s excellent “The Formation Of Damnation” must have been either cake or one big headache because it was a monster thrash album, seeing Testament recapturing, yet contemporizing, all the great elements that makes them who they are from previous albums. “Dark Roots” does the same, recalling at times “Practice What You Preach”, “The Ritual”, “Low”, and ‘The Gathering” (yet not going as far back as “The Legacy” or “New Order”). Maybe it was easy, given guitarist Alex Skolnick and bassist Greg Christian were back in the band since 2005, joined by alumni Gene Hoglan (he played on the album “Demonic”), so the guys have had time to become one again as a creative team? Or, partially a headache trying to live up to “Formation’s” success.

Whatever the case, everything on “Dark Roots” makes for a cohesive album. ‘Rise Up’ blasts out of the speakers with urgency and power, rapid fire riffing, a steadfast beat, Chuck Billy’s bark packing a big bite, and Skolnick delivering one fine tasty solo. Shredding like a paper cutter. First video/single ‘Native Blood’ sees Billy writing about his culture, I really like the old school riffs, rhythm and tempo, yet the blast beat part seems a bit unnecessary for the tune’s overall flow. Maybe its just me? The title track is slowed down in the vein of “The Ritual” album, an element I haven’t heard since its release in 1992. Dynamic yet heavy, traveling across a flowing and changing soundscape. Testament at their musical best. ‘True American Hate’ kicks up the momentum from the opening two numbers with Gene getting busy on those drums. Dude is sick! Again, more insane leads. A funky bass line and the arrangement to ‘A Day In The Death’ picks up aspects of the “Low” album, mid paced, switching up the tempo broken up by splashes of guitars leads. Good variety and placement on the album. And speaking of variety, been a while since Testament put a ballad on an album. ‘Cold Embrace’ follows well in the tradition of ‘Trail Of Tears’ (“Low”) and ‘Return To Serenity’ (“The Ritual”). Love the big opening to ‘Man Kills Mankind’, feels like “Practice What You Preach” meets the “Souls of Black’ album. ‘Last Stand For Independence’ could have been a (good) leftover from “Formation”.

Testament are just crushing it with two great albums in a row. Be sure you pick up the special edition with a beafed up cover of Queen’s ‘Dragon Attack’, faithful renditions of the Scorpions dark plodding ‘Animal Magnetism’ and Iron Maiden’s classic ‘Powerslave’, and a DVD with 4 live songs.