Thrash metal is alive and well, and if you’re wondering what sort of magic is keeping it that way, Testament may have an answer for you. The band has solidified a release date for their thirteenth studio album Titans of Creation, calling their shot for April 3rd. Following the monstrous 2016 effort Brotherhood of the Snake is a tall order, but the Bay Area quintet are coming all manner of prepared.
Look no further than the first single from the new disc, entitled “Night of the Witch.” The six and a half minute song is a dense and rich offering, with vocalist Chuck Billy’s signature growl being occasionally traded in for a more shrill, black metal vocal style, and the dual guitar attack of Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick giving us massive metal riffing and delectable dual guitar harmonies. Bassist Steve DiGiorgio’s thumping bass backbone refuses to take a back seat in the mix, and the “Atomic Clock” himself, drummer Gene Hoglan, conjures up loads of machine gun double kicks to power the rhythm section’s black magic.
For Titans of Creation, Testament are bringing what brought them to the dance in the first place, from a production standpoint. Andy Sneap, noted metal producer and touring guitarist for Judas Priest, is mixing the album, as he has every Testament disc since 1999’s The Gathering. Tracking was handled by Juan Urteaga, who reprises his role from 2012’s Dark Roots of Earth and the aforementioned Brotherhood of the Snake. The cover artwork was done by Eliran Kantor, who has designed the cover art for the last three Testament LPs.
Titans of Creation will be released on April 3rd. Pre-orders are available on the Nuclear Blast store.
Listen to “Night of the Witch” below!