Testament’s fourteenth album, Para Bellum, is a wild, urgent and fearless blast of thrash metal that proves, even after four decades, the Bay Area titans still have plenty of fire left in the tank. This is not just another Testament album—this is the sound of a band fighting to stay vital, experimenting with new ideas, and embracing their heaviest instincts. It’s bold, modern, and, at times, surprisingly dark. If you want to know what it means to “prepare for war” in 2025, this is it.
Release Details and Notable Facts
Para Bellum landed on 10 October 2025 via Nuclear Blast, clocking in at just over fifty minutes. This marks Testament’s first studio album with drummer Chris Dovas, who steps into some rather big shoes after the departures of Gene Hoglan and Dave Lombardo. Jens Bogren handled mixing duties, giving the album a modern punch and clarity. Notably, this is also the first Testament record since Demonic not to feature Andy Sneap in the production seat.
Background: The Story So Far
Testament have been a driving force in thrash since the mid-1980s, shaping the genre with classic albums like The New Order and Practice What You Preach. Over the years, they’ve weathered countless lineup changes, shifting trends, and even health scares. Yet, they’ve always found ways to stay relevant. Para Bellum arrives five years after Titans of Creation, during a period of global uncertainty and technological upheaval. Testament seem energised by this chaos, using it as fuel for their most aggressive and creative work in years.
Musical Style and Themes
Para Bellum is rooted in classic thrash, but it’s much more than a nostalgia trip. The band draw on black metal, death metal, and even a touch of hard rock and orchestral elements. Chris Dovas brings a new level of speed and precision on drums, pushing the band to experiment with blast beats and more extreme tempos. Chuck Billy’s vocals are as powerful as ever, shifting from guttural roars to surprisingly melodic clean passages. Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson’s guitars are razor-sharp, with Skolnick’s solos soaring and Peterson’s riffs as heavy as a sledgehammer. Steve Di Giorgio’s bass work adds technical flair and depth, especially on the more atmospheric tracks.
Lyrically, the album is obsessed with the modern world’s anxieties—artificial intelligence, technological control, social collapse, and supernatural dread. The title, Latin for “prepare for war,” sets the tone. Songs like Infanticide A.I. and Shadow People tackle our uneasy relationship with technology, while Havana Syndrome and High Noon explore paranoia and conflict. There’s even a full-blown ballad, Meant to Be, featuring real orchestral strings from cellist Dave Eggar, which adds a haunting pause before the next onslaught.
Track by Track: Standouts and Surprises
The album opens with For the Love of Pain, an immediate signal that Testament are not holding back. Dovas’s drumming is furious, and the song’s blackened edge is a bold statement. Infanticide A.I., the lead single, is a relentless thrash attack, with lyrics warning of technology run amok. Shadow People leans into groove and darkness, its eerie vibe making it one of the album’s most memorable tracks.
Meant to Be divides opinion—it’s a long, orchestral ballad that slows the pace. For some, it’s a welcome breather and a showcase for Chuck Billy’s melodic side. For others, it saps momentum. Personally, I think it works as a bold experiment, though it does test the patience after three blistering tracks.
High Noon brings the energy roaring back, all gunslingers and wild west showdowns, with a killer riff battle between Peterson and Skolnick. Witch Hunt is the heaviest cut, with death metal influences and icy Scandinavian riffs. Nature of the Beast adds a sleazy, almost hard rock twist, while Room 117 experiments with atmosphere and melody, showing Testament’s willingness to try new things.
Havana Syndrome is a nod to early Testament, all raw energy and tight musicianship. The album closes with the epic title track, Para Bellum, which pulls together all the album’s threads—thrash, melody, heaviness, and a touch of the unexpected—ending with a peaceful, classical-inspired guitar outro.
Strengths, Weaknesses, and Where It Stands
The main strength of Para Bellum is its energy and willingness to push boundaries. Testament sound more alive here than they have in years. Chris Dovas’s drumming is a revelation, giving the band a new lease of life. Chuck Billy delivers a career-best vocal performance, moving effortlessly between aggression and melody. The production is modern and punchy, letting every instrument breathe.
However, the album isn’t flawless. The ballad Meant to Be is divisive and could have been trimmed. Some tracks in the middle—like Nature of the Beast and Room 117—don’t quite reach the heights of the openers or the finale. Lyrically, the album is blunt, but that suits the direct nature of thrash.
Compared to the band’s discography, Para Bellum is their most adventurous and heaviest album since The Gathering. It stands tall alongside The New Order, The Formation of Damnation, and Titans of Creation, but it isn’t just a retread. It’s a new chapter.
Testament’s Place in Modern Metal
In 2025, thrash is having a real moment. Testament show they’re not just surviving—they’re leading. While their old-school peers often play it safe, Testament are still hungry, still experimenting, and still relevant. Para Bellum is proof that classic bands can evolve without losing their identity. It’s heavy, creative, and packed with memorable songs.
Tour Dates: Testament on the Road
Testament are taking Para Bellum on the road with a massive European tour, joined by Obituary, Destruction, and Nervosa. If you want to see the new material live, check the full list of dates and ticket links at testamentlegions.com. The band are also set to appear at Bloodstock Festival 2026, so UK fans have plenty to look forward to.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Para Bellum is a triumphant statement from one of thrash metal’s true legends. It’s not perfect, but it’s brave, heavy, and full of life. Testament have managed to stay relevant by taking risks and embracing the chaos of the modern world. If you’re a fan of heavy music, you can’t afford to miss this one.
Let us know in the comments what your thoughts are on Para Bellum by Testament. Did we miss anything? Share your experiences and join the conversation!
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