The Formation of Damnation | 
 enlarge | Artist: Testament
Label: Nuclear Blast Americ
Category: Music
List Price: $15.98
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Rating:  64 reviews
Sales Rank: 773
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 12005
UPC: 727361200527
EAN: 0727361200527
ASIN: B0012E6R3W
Release Date: April 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Condition: New and factory sealed. Free promo goodies with every order! We offer a huge selection of metal at the best prices.
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| Tracks:
| • | For the Glory of... | | • | More Than Meets the Eye | | • | The Evil Has Landed | | • | The Formation of Damnation | | • | Dangers of the Faithless | | • | The Persecuted Won't Forget | | • | Henchmen Ride | | • | Killing Season | | • | Afterlife | | • | F.E.A.R. | | • | Leave Me Forever |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
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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| Customer Reviews:
 A Return to Form For Testament! July 17, 2008
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.
 One of the best albums in the last 15 years! July 12, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
Welcome Back Testament!! July 12, 2008
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!!
Good but not 5 star material July 10, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was really excited when I heard that Alex was back with the band (the original guitar player). I was a big fan of early Testament. After listening to TFoD, however, I have to say that neither the riff-work nor the soloing are what I had hoped for. Actually, the most interesting aspect of the album is the drumming. Very cool. The song-writing is good but none of them really rise to the level of a Metal classic.
Don't get me wrong, TFoD is a very solid album and I really like it but I can't understand why so many people are giving this 5 stars. It's good but not great.
Recommended.
Testament back with a vengeance July 10, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Back in the day at end of the 80s when thrash metal was fashionable, Testament were an underdog band, considered a good band, though no match for the top three Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer.
Fast forward to 2008 and while Megadeth is basically the Dave Mustaine band living off past glories with a mercenary lineup and Metallica is struggling to come out with an album that wont be as bad as St anger, Testament releases a classic as relevant as master of puppets or RIP; I had the opportunity to see Testament live last May and they were totally top form, the songs from this new album were instant classics, I was blown away!! Basically they got the original lineup back and added former drummer Paul Bostaph, the result is a masterpiece of thrash metal!!! It's really that good.
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