The
beginning of the 1990s was very difficult time to play thrash metal. Death and
black was coming into being from the hellish abyss, from the other side –
grunge and alternative genres. Like many other thrashing outfits, Testament
stood at the cross-roads. After four pure thrash albums they decided to change
their music a bit by adding some heavy metal and hard rock influences to the song
structures. I don’t want to say that it was a conscious choice or not. The most
important thing is: did Testament record a good album?
At the first sight – excellent front cover, definitely the best one I have ever seen. But in this case Testament never disappointed me. The first listening to “The Ritual”… and complete shock, not for me only, for the rest of fans too, I guess!!! Monstrous, coherent compositions with large intensification of melodies, not only shown in riffs and guitar solos, but also in Billy’s vocals. Generally, tempo of the songs was slowed down (beside “Agony”), what born a fantastic title song of the album, never played in that way by a thrash band before. The musicians had placed a good ballad (“Return to Serenity”), which became a hit in radio stations. Vocals of Chuck Billy notched up a masterful level. Alex Skolnick proved he is one of the best metal guitarist. A good production permitted to perceive an artistry of bass and drums works.
Except for an intro “Signs of Chaos” which is, in fact, some nice chaotic lead by Skolnick, Testament prepared ten absolutely metal songs from which several are really splendid compositions. The most known I think is “Electric Crown” with great riffs, very interesting guitar addings and two excellent guitar solos. And then, the next live show killer entitled “So Many Lies”, after ultra heavy beginning (great guitars work and drum cavalcade) turns to majestic slow song with consecutive outstanding solo. But the real pearl is a title track “The Ritual”. The longest one so far, complete something-new in Testament’s output. It paralyzes by its own atmosphere, majesty, the skill of creating of the tension. And again – amazing Billy vocals, superb solo shows, excellent works of bass and drums. It is a perfect piece of music for example for Lovecraft’s story “The Shadow over Innsmouth”. The last track I want to focus on is “As the Seasons Grey” – never played during official live shows I guess. Totally wonderful opening guitar lead with interesting drum work turns to heavy, almost doom riff, after few seconds it becomes faster heavy thrash composition with extraordinary guitar solo which is something usual on this album.
To put it briefly, the band showed heavy thrash album, which was complete surprise for me and the rest of fans, but it was a great advantage. “The Ritual” is a masterpiece of metal music, it’s still vivid thrilling release and I compare it to the best thrash metal albums that Testament recorded before: “The Legacy” and ”The New Order”. Unfortunately “The Ritual” was the last album with Alex Skolnick and his mighty and powerful guitars. Contemporary reality showed that nobody was able to replace him worthily. Finally Alex returned to his band to record some old songs (2001, “First Strike Still Deadly”) and new stuff (2008, “The Formation of Damnation”), but this is a complete different story…
100/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli
(previously written for Encyclopaedia Metallum, on May, 2010, now modified a bit)
At the first sight – excellent front cover, definitely the best one I have ever seen. But in this case Testament never disappointed me. The first listening to “The Ritual”… and complete shock, not for me only, for the rest of fans too, I guess!!! Monstrous, coherent compositions with large intensification of melodies, not only shown in riffs and guitar solos, but also in Billy’s vocals. Generally, tempo of the songs was slowed down (beside “Agony”), what born a fantastic title song of the album, never played in that way by a thrash band before. The musicians had placed a good ballad (“Return to Serenity”), which became a hit in radio stations. Vocals of Chuck Billy notched up a masterful level. Alex Skolnick proved he is one of the best metal guitarist. A good production permitted to perceive an artistry of bass and drums works.
Except for an intro “Signs of Chaos” which is, in fact, some nice chaotic lead by Skolnick, Testament prepared ten absolutely metal songs from which several are really splendid compositions. The most known I think is “Electric Crown” with great riffs, very interesting guitar addings and two excellent guitar solos. And then, the next live show killer entitled “So Many Lies”, after ultra heavy beginning (great guitars work and drum cavalcade) turns to majestic slow song with consecutive outstanding solo. But the real pearl is a title track “The Ritual”. The longest one so far, complete something-new in Testament’s output. It paralyzes by its own atmosphere, majesty, the skill of creating of the tension. And again – amazing Billy vocals, superb solo shows, excellent works of bass and drums. It is a perfect piece of music for example for Lovecraft’s story “The Shadow over Innsmouth”. The last track I want to focus on is “As the Seasons Grey” – never played during official live shows I guess. Totally wonderful opening guitar lead with interesting drum work turns to heavy, almost doom riff, after few seconds it becomes faster heavy thrash composition with extraordinary guitar solo which is something usual on this album.
To put it briefly, the band showed heavy thrash album, which was complete surprise for me and the rest of fans, but it was a great advantage. “The Ritual” is a masterpiece of metal music, it’s still vivid thrilling release and I compare it to the best thrash metal albums that Testament recorded before: “The Legacy” and ”The New Order”. Unfortunately “The Ritual” was the last album with Alex Skolnick and his mighty and powerful guitars. Contemporary reality showed that nobody was able to replace him worthily. Finally Alex returned to his band to record some old songs (2001, “First Strike Still Deadly”) and new stuff (2008, “The Formation of Damnation”), but this is a complete different story…
100/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli
(previously written for Encyclopaedia Metallum, on May, 2010, now modified a bit)
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