The energy here was a above average, which gave me a feel and taste for what to expect from them since a friend of mine who accompanied me in 2013 at their opening live performance for Killswitch Engage/Lamb Of God tour that we missed! Due to weather, traffic, heavy rain and my buddy's lower back injury prevented us from seeing them at the Aragon Theater in October 2013, of which the acoustics were horrible! The only reason I went to that gig with him was to see just Testament, now is time to wait for them next time they come to Chicago. 20 years of wanting to see them and barely missed them, which would've given me a real taste in person of what they're like live, especially Alex Skolnick.

Getting back to their live album here, not losing focus on this previous experience of mine that I explained in the first paragraph of this review, 'Dark Roots of Thrash' was like a "B" rating to me, even though the acoustics on both CD's definitely dominated. It seems that age sort of took out that obvious umph they had when they were playing during their earlier years. However, I would give a shout and compliment them in playing with a tad bit of variation, not entirely like on their most current CD 'Dark Roots of the Earth', those songs played on here simply were superb just like hearing it on the studio recording back when it came out in 2012.

Again, the production/sound quality was exceptional, though I had higher expectations of the band which I shouldn't have, but they're older now and Greg Christian FYI is no longer in the band. Steve DiGiorgio is replacing him for their next album. About the track listing, I'm glad that they chose songs that came mostly from their latest release of course, plus some from good older albums such as 'Practice What You Preach', 'The Legacy', 'The New Order', 'Formation of Damnation', etc. I'm glad that they picked some of the older tunes because I think that's where they as stated in the title of their most current release that thrash metal they've never deviated from their "roots" so to speak.

Like I said, the energy and execution of each song (there were 19 total on it altogether) was quite much like their studio releases, plus the intro to the first CD, the National Anthem was played. I guess a sort of reckoning with them aging like we all are, but still still true to their music as well as their new or long-time fans. Chuck Billy stated on multiple occasions how much the band as a whole fans have been so supportive over the years and them at their greatest especially with Skolnick on lead guitar. His executions on both CD's (leads) simply shredded, with a little touch of improvisation, however, for the most part, he played them VERY close to how they sounded on the actual albums.

The music altogether is dominating thrash, some improvisations (like I mentioned), some licks and rhythms that deviated from the studio recordings, but as a WHOLE, the really dominate live. It's going to be exceptionally great when they come around to my state and I'll be able to actually get the "in person" effect of the band executing their awesome thrash metal rhythms, leads, vocals and true passion for the thrash metal genre over the years. Yes some songs I disliked from older albums that they played, especially 'The Haunting', off of 'The Legacy' (1987), their first full-length recording, just that track and another off of 'Formation of Damnation' was just average.

I don't especially like live albums in general because of the recording quality, but on here, it's amazing that they were able to mesh all of the guitar riffs/leads and you could definitely hear or get a feel for their passionate performances plus live music that you would go crazy over. They did make a DVD on this "Dark Roots of the Earth" tour, of which you could I think get from their site or of course maybe another webshop. I would encourage you as a fan and listener of their studio albums, you'll catch the live vibe they have which when they're in your town next tour for their album they're working on now, get this one and it'll do ya justice to hear them live for you!

Rating: 8 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Death8699
01/24/2014 21:04