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Epicurus.com - The Formation of Damnation
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List Price: $15.98
Our Price: $12.99
Your Save: $ 2.99 ( 19% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Nuclear Blast Americ
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0727361200527
Label: Nuclear Blast Americ
Manufacturer: Nuclear Blast Americ
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Nuclear Blast Americ
Release Date: 2008-04-29
Studio: Nuclear Blast Americ
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Editorial Reviews:
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The Formation of Damnation is the 2008 release-- the first Testament studio album of all new material in nine years. This is the first Testament album to feature Alex Skolnick on guitar since 1992's The Ritual, also the first to feature bassist Greg Christian since 1994's Low. Testament are an US thrash metal band from California. Some of their records entered the charts in major markets such as the UK and Germany. Testament has two Top 40 albums and one Top 50 album to its credit in the UK. Their 1999 album The Gathering also entered the Top 50 in Germany. They had minor top 100 album success in the United States.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Testament to the Bone...
Comment: Very good production. You can hear everything very clearly and in its place with very clear and strong tones. Same for mixing. Everything is in balance.
Most of the writing is done by Chuck and Eric. In terms of song writing quality, do not expect a new The Gathering though. Although it has been several years since their last offering, the song writing feels like they have rushed a little bit. This does not mean that the album is bad, but rather there are no surprises. The songs mostly start and finish in the same way. This is pure thrash metal.
Vocals of Chuck are there, in a few songs growling still. It is at the top. Riffs are thrash riffs. A lot of fast riffs. Nearly no mid tempo stuff. Fast as hell. Thanx to Eric's capabilities. Solos. Well Alex is back so no worries here. Very technical. No disappointment...
As for the drumming; I know that Paul Bostaph is one of the best drummers around the metal scene. He is very good in terms of technicality. But the way he fills the songs, he tries to do a lot of work so the songs may not flow sometimes. If you listened to Slayer after Dave Lombardo till their last LP you now what I mean. Same as Shovel Headed Kill Machine of Exodus. The problem is that he tries to show himself, and I think that does not work. So this is a problem in the running of the songs but anyway, this is Testament... How bad they can get?
Give the LP sometime. It simply grows on you. The more I listen, the more it gets better.
ps. There's a Euro-version of the LP that includes a DVD. I always buy these special editions but for this release it is not a must. Behind the scene footage (average), photos... Nothing special here.
Hey, and buy it, do not download it. Let the guys sell records. They are not Justin or Madonna. They need to SELL records in order to survive...
Customer Rating:
Summary: BRINGIN BACK THE CLASSIC THRASH ROOTS
Comment: This is just what I needed to hear man. It's not as great as previous releases, but hell I love it. This is highly recommended.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Return to Form For Testament!
Comment: I was a big Testament fan when the Legacy came out, and also really liked the New Order and Practice What You Preach. Obviously Alex Skolnick's guitar work was one of the main reasons I listened, and when I heard he was back I had to pick up TFoD. So far I really like it, a few repetive songs that aren't that great, but on the whole this is a solid release, and as mentioned before Testament seems to get heavier the older they get which is awesome. One thing I would mention, Skolnick's scorching guitar seems isn't as pronounced as I would've hoped, I really think a guitarist as incredible as him should be more forward in the mix. Paul Bostaph is an excellent drummer and a welcome addition to the original lineup. Overall, I'll give it 4 stars, one of the best metal records of the last few years.
Customer Rating:
Summary: One of the best albums in the last 15 years!
Comment: This album sounds like late 80's~early 90's thrash metal, but with better recording fidelity. Most Thrash bands have "evolved", even Testament had changed their style, but this album sonds great, has great guitar riffs and solos, the drums sound powerfull and Billy's voice is still unique.
Many new albums fom "old" metal bands have reviews that say "this is good but not as good as ....", wel, this album is AS GOOD AS Practice what you preach, the ritua or souls of black.
BUY THIS ALBUM you won't regret it.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Welcome Back Testament!!
Comment: I honestly have no idea what to say, this album is just absolutely brilliant. Bay Area thrash metal legends Testament have returned with a vengeance and have created a monster of a comeback as well as one of the best metal albums of 2008, in fact this album is indeed the best and I DO mean BEST metal album of 2008 in my opinion. "The Formation of Damnation" is Testament's first full length album in nine years and their ninth release overall. Words just can't even describe how brilliant, amazing, and awesome this album is, I just listen to it constantly every week, I love it. This is also the first Testament album to feature original lead guitarist Alex Skolnick since 1992's "The Ritual" (he has since returned to the band in 2001) and original bassist Greg Christian since 1994's "Low" (which I still need to get) and of course former Slayer skinsman Paul Bostaph takes over the drums. Chuck Billy (who has since recovered from cancer in 2002) delivers an awesomely fierce, powerful, and commanding vocal performance. There's absolutely no denying that Chuck's vocals are more stronger than before, and this album definately proves it. The riffs on here are just frantic, savage, and downright heavy and raging throughout. Alex Skolnick's solos are just absolutely killer and mindblowing, and this album showcases his best soloing in years. Eric Peterson (who does excellent rhythm guitarwork) also does his fair share of soloing as well too, but Alex steals most of the show on here. Greg does a great job at pounding on the bass, and Paul hammers away at the drums with lots of great menacing thrashing tempos and double bass onslaughts.
There's not even one bad song on here, I mean they're all boss, but here's a look at some of the highlights. "More Than Meets the Eye" is an instant classic that is highlighted by muscular thrashing riffs, thrashing drum tempos, a pair of wailing, melodic solos, and powerful vocals from Chuck. Track three "The Evil Has Landed" is another favorite on here that lyrically deals with the 9/11 tragedy in New York City and is highlighted by another awesome guitar solo by Alex and great vocals by Chuck. The title track is an all out menacing, blistering thrash assault that features fast hammering drums from Paul, savage, thrashing riffage, raging, full-bodied death roars from Chuck, and a killer solo from Alex around the 3:24 mark. Track six "The Persecuted Won't Forget" features a savage, battering thrash tempo at the beginning with punishing double bass drumwork and muscular chugging riffs, and this song also features another killer solo from Alex, and another thrashing tempo near the end. Track seven "Henchmen Ride" is another favorite of mine on here that is highlighted by catchy, chugging machine gun-like riffs, pummeling double bass onslaughts, another speedy, blazing thrash tempo, and another great solo by Alex. The lyrics are very catchy too as well as the chorus. Track nine "Afterlife" is another great catchy song that deals with some personal stuff that Chuck had gone through, and there's some great lyrics and a pair of great solos as well. Track eight "Killing Season" and track ten "F.E.A.R." both deal with the Bush Administration which is indeed untrustworthy, and they're both favorites as well (the former which features catchy groove-oriented riffing, great vocals from Chuck, and another pair of killer solos, and the latter which features ramming double bass onslaughts, savage thrashing riffs, more great soloing, and I like when Chuck's vocals get heavier at the end of the song). Please read on for my song ratings.
Jeremy's song ratings:
1. For the Glory Of... (1:12) - 4/5
2. More Than Meets the Eye (4:33) - 5/5
3. The Evil Has Landed (4:44) - 5/5
4. The Formation of Damnation (5:09) - 5/5
5. Dangers of the Faithless (5:47) - 5/5
6. The Persecuted Won't Forget (5:49) - 5/5
7. Henchmen Ride (4:00) - 5/5
8. Killing Season (4:52) - 5/5
9. Afterlife (4:13) - 5/5
10. F.E.A.R. (4:46) - 5/5
11. Leave Me Forever (4:28) - 5/5
I'll be clearly honest, I didn't think this album was going to be this good, since Testament have not released anything new for quite some time, but boy, I was sure wrong. "The Formation of Damnation" proves without a shadow of a doubt, that Testament are back and indeed they're stronger than ever. This album is definately an absolute must-have for any serious metalhead. Buy It Now!! Welcome Back Testament!!
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