Who would believe that it has been 19 years since the bands break through album 'Practice What You Preach was released and 9 years since the bands last studio album? At the risk of sounding like an old fart, where has the time gone? A question Testament must be asking themselves as they are right back where they started with Billy, Peterson, Skolnick and Christian looking to make their mark on the world of metal all over again. OK not quite all over again but with 16 years between this line ups album releases you get my drift.

No fear that 'The Formation Of Damnation' is an exercise in extorting money from the long standing Testament fan as from the outset the album rages like pre-menstrual pit bull. Skolnick's melodic tendencies he exuded toward the end of his time with Testament back in the early nineties which lead to the hugely disappointing 'The Ritual' are nowhere to be found. Instead  unleashing wave upon wave of savage riffing and scintillating solos, all of course ably supported by Testament mainstay Eric Peterson. Without whom Testament  would surely have dissolved years ago.  

'The Formation Of Damnation' very much has the old school Bay Area sound and harks back to Testament's stellar years which brought us 'The New Order' and the aforementioned 'Practice What You Preach'. That is not to say the album is not without it's more extreme 'Demonic' sounding moments but is by and large an album of how Thrash should be done, and with Chuck Billy giving his vocal talents a thorough examination, which he passes with flying colours all previous indiscretions are soon forgotten.

Unquestionably Testament, Exodus, Death Angel et al will be remembered for their then ground breaking debuts and their overall impact on what was then a fledgling Thrash movement, yet all have returned harder, faster and hungrier than ever they were back in the day. Do we need to mention 'Souls Of Black' or ' Force Of Habit' as exhibits A and B? While many of the NWOTM bands are taking much of the plaudits for the reinvigoration of Thrash in 2008 let us not forget that Testament (amongst a select group) are still capable of encapsulating all that made Thrash the potent force it was and the most original release it is not but with Thrash this good who gives a shit?!?!