Legendary thrash metal band emerging from the San Francisco Bay Area, Testament, released their 7th full length studio work 'Demonic' almost ten years ago. Over the years, the album proved to be quite an obstacle for me. Beginning with an unforgettable intro "10...9...8...7...6...6...6", how has the album itself stood the test of time?

Trademark Testament eerie melodies so vividly presented on their debut, raise from heavy chugging wall of guitars at times and when they do so, it becomes clear what band I'm listening to. See, on 'Demonic' Testament trod towards death metal. However, it's not technical death metal, but more raw and sludgy influence (however, not productions-wise!). Over 80% of the vocals, however, are low growl, and Chuck Billy can do it fine. But really not being thrash metal nor death metal, what the heck is it then? I don't know, but many of the thrash bands from that era did something this stupid, really. Shit, many of the songs do not include a guitar solo to speak about! Maybe an aftermath of Alex Skolnick's departure? Heaviness alone do not music make. The production is good and heavy, by the way, works well even today.

'Demonic Refusal' kicks ass with its unexpected brutality, throwing in some infernal guitar shrieks and then entering the stomp-phase. 'The Burning Times' wields a trademark eerie melody and really reminds whose album you are listening to, about which I can only say "great". 'Together as One' is easily identified as Testament, but it sounds like surplus material from 'Low' (1994) era with its pretty annoying rhythm work and feeling of unleashed energy. 'Jun-Jun' hits the groove again, being another 'Low'-esque song, but at least better than its predecessor. 'John Doe' possesses more wicked rhythm again, and really shows that sometimes a straight fucking rhythm would be so much better! Gene Hoglan is a fine drummer, but he goes too far at times. His trademark cymbal tinkles are present, but some of his less straight stuff just does not fit here.

Heck, half of the album already gone... Well, the first half proved my fear true; this platter is still one heck of an obstacle to grasp! 'Murky Waters' sounds so blissfully archaic, that it's one of the highlights. Well, at least the beginning of the song it, as it goes into a heavy Pantera-esque breakdown in the middle, with some very Machine Head style guitar shrill. A goody 'Hatreds Rise' sounds more familiar Testament, what I've been thirsting for a loooong time already since 'The Burning Times'. But, it's all gone when 'Distorted Lives' begin; it's 'Low' time again, but sadly also the album's "low" time, thanks to shite Machine Head-esque guitar shrill. 'New Eyes of Old' sounds Pantera, period. 'Ten Thousand Thrones' is another Machine Head style song, but Chuck does some debut style nasal vocals on it. 'Nostrovia' (cheers for Russian) is kind of an outro, with no real meaning.

Well, maybe I should drink myself silly to enjoy 'Demonic' as a whole, I don't know, but Testament's visit into a land of groovy post-thrash really does not work. The song material just isn't very memorable. Maybe this kind of stuff is great to play live (and why not to headbang to also), but it does not offer much for a listener sitting home. This isn't the worst offer of "jumpdafuckupping", mind you, actually very far from it. Anyways, give me 'The Ritual' (1992) any fucking day (meaning that one kicks this one's arse, big time)!!!

Rating: 6- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
02/28/2007 12:21