Brotherhood Of The Snake

This is quite simply one of THE best CD's of this year by ANY genre of Metal band, sorry, these cats just CRUCIFY just about ANY other act, only OVERKILL and EXODUS as American acts have kept up this level of quality , and with the help of the great ANDY SNEAP, well, it sounds world class, dude, just do whatever you must to have this, I cannot say anything more, take it from a cat who has SEEN everybody over the more than 50 years of Metal, this band just MURDERS, and my respect for CHUCK BILLY for battling back from serious illness, man, he is the epitome of a great front man, long may they rage against the darkness, so please, support these guys by BUYING a physical copy, and kudos to NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS for giving this music a home, man, this is beyond great, it makes you feel good to hear this, it restores your faith, by being LOYAL to the LOUD, you'll be glad you did!!

Testament has always been one of my favorite metal bands and this album does not disappoint. I have been listening to Testament since Souls of Black and they have been one of the most consistent bands as far as producing album after album of interesting riffs and melodies and plenty of that Testament attitude. Chuck Billy is one of the very few metal singers that can actually sing a melody and yet still convey the necessary heaviness and anger to make it work. Eric Peterson is by far one of the most talented metal songwriters ever and his guitar playing gets better with every album probably thanks to his long time band mate Alex Skolnick. If you don't know who Alex Skolnick is then you are truly missing out on a master of the metal melodic guitar solo, I have been playing the guitar myself for over 40 years but Alex is just magical when it comes time for a solo. If you like Testament you should like this album and if you have never heard them you should check it out it like rocking metal with melodies and attitude, great job guys!

There's seriously no denying that Testament have been on such an absolute major role especially with their previous two releases, 2008's "The Formation of Damnation" and 2012's "Dark Roots of Earth" both which no question were absolutely amazing albums. Now, fast forward to 2016, the Bay Area thrash legends have unleashed their highly anticipated eleventh studio release, "Brotherhood of the Snake", and believe me, this album sounds just as good as the name itself. I have anticipated this album for a great deal of time, and it has truly exceeded and surpassed my listening expectations. This album is such an incredible piece of blisteringly aggressive, riff-heavy, in-your-face, thrash metal that is just guaranteed to grab you right by the throat, and kick your ass with ten amazing tracks filled with deliciously awesome, heavy thrash induced riffs, blistering, mesmerizing, shredtastic leads and solos, fast and thunderous, heavy-duty drumming, killer, pulsating, ear ringing bass lines, and ferocious, aggressive, and powerful vocals, and of course with flat out incredible, top-notch production to top it all off. Trust me, every bit of this album here is nothing but 100% pure Testament to the bone. One thing I'd like to point out is that you've got Steve DiGiorgio (who first joined Testament on the band's 1999 effort, "The Gathering") returning on the bass, which of course reunites him with drummer Gene Hoglan (both of whom who played together on Death's 1993 release "Individual Thought Patterns"). I really like how these two guys really click with each other so well on each track here. You can clearly tell that these two musicians have got such absolutely tremendous chemistry together, being that they both have plenty of experience with each other. Gene's drums and Steve's bass are both mixed perfectly into such a swift, heavy punch to the guts throughout here. Gene is just absolutely on fire as he just slaughters and annihilates behind the drum kit with his fast and thunderous, monstrous, and pounding thrash beats, and blistering machine gun-like double bass kick patterns, killer fills, and everything else in between, while Steve provides excellent, punchy, pulsating bass lines that will make your ears ring. The bass tone on this album is just absolutely amazing, no question. Meanwhile, the guitars are just extremely amazing on here throughout, as Eric Peterson just absolutely kills it on here with his always blistering, raging, maniacal, thrashing riffs, and you've also got lead shredder Alex Skolnick who does an excellent job as always, backing Eric up with his deliciously incredible, blistering, mesmerizing, yet melodic, shred-worthy soloing throughout. Topping all of that off of course, is vocalist Chuck Billy's incredibly strong, and powerful vocals, ranging perfectly from brutal, low death metal growls, to his trademark mid-range, rhythmic screams that are just like a raging volcano that is ready to erupt. There's absolutely no question that Chuck Billy is one of thrash metal's greatest singers ever. The guy just continues to improve and get better with age as with the rest of the guys in the band. Testament waste absolutely no time at all unleashing an absolute monster in the album's opening title song "Brotherhood of the Snake" in which it's opening moments just immediately grab your attention with some deliciously blistering, fast, and fiery intro riffing, followed by some thunderous blasting percussion, and Chuck's raging, volcanic roar which complete this ferocious, jaw-dropping introduction, and from that moment on, you know that you're in for one serious, hellacious thrashing thrillride. The song from there goes into a crushing, and energetic, mid-paced, groove thrasher with savage, blistering, cranium crushing riffage, plus mean, brutal, pummeling double-kick patterns, and savage, raging vocals throughout, and I also like how the song's fast and blistering intro riff is greatly infused during the frantic and aggressive chorus (which is also great BTW) as well. The album's next track, "The Pale King" is an amazing, driving, mid-tempo thrash goodie that boasts driving, chugging, and galloping thrashy riffing, and ringing, pounding bass lines, along with some stiffened, pounding double bass drum beats, and aggressive, semi-melodic, mid-range, gruffy barks by Chuck, and is also highlighted by some lengthy, mesmerizing, soaring, and melodic soloing by Alex before the song's end as well. Next up, we got track three, "Stronghold" which is another awesomely strong, charging, pounding thrasher, is anchored by heavy, charging, thrashing verses, fast, and hefty, pounding beats, savage, driving, thrashy riffs, and an addicting, headbanging-worthy chorus, as well as an utterly irresistible shout-along refrain of "UP-RISE STRONG-HOLD", and is also highlighted by another amazingly ripping, wailing, soaring, and deliciously melodic solo from Alex with some great ripping double bass kicking from Gene to back it up as well. Track four, "Seven Seals" is an excellent, melodic slow-burner that slows things down a bit, but it is highlighted by plenty of crushingly heavy, and steady, chugging riffs and excellent, mesmerizing solos, punchy, ear ringing bass, and amazing vocals throughout, plus an awesome, melodic chorus, and the song also contains a massively sounding stop-start section that is perfectly matched with Chuck bellowing, "Step by step, the horsemen will ride...", and the song also does shift into a more faster, mid-tempo section around the 3:19 mark afterwards as well before slowing back down once again. Next up, we have track five, "Born in a Rut" which boasts such an awesomely catchy, and steady-paced groove throughout and contains plenty of amazingly heavy-duty yet melodic, juicy riffing, thunderous bass rumblings, soaring, speaker shredding, melodic soloing, and excellent, gruff-like vocals from Chuck including a very catchy shout-along section of "Hey you, don't tell me what to believe...Hey you, I wear my heart on my sleeve...Hey you, I am the way that I seem...Hey you, you never listen to me"..., which leads up to the song's catchy and spectacular melodic driven chorus in which you can't just resist singing along to. However after that, the album's following cut, "Centuries of Suffering" which is another huge standout on here, brings back the raging, thrashing intensity as the song is heavily peppered with a ferocious onslaught complete with raging, barn-burning, rapid-fire, thrash riffing, vicious, pounding, blasting beats, and super heavy, hot tempered roars and howls throughout especially during the chorus as well, and meanwhile, the next cut "Black Jack" is another blistering, fiery thrasher that is bolstered by speedy, pummeling verses, rapid-fast, neck-breaking, thrashy riffs, fiery, frantic, and deadly blasting, and super catchy, groove-based choruses, as well as some more awesomely mesmerizing, wailing, and piercing soloing to boot. Moving forward, we have "Neptune's Spear" which is another awesome mid-tempo thrasher that is peppered by some charging, meaty, chunky riffing, and thundering, pounding bass and drums, along with more of Chuck's raging, and powerful mid-range, melodic gruff-sounding barks, and the song also includes a catchy shout-along refrain of "ONE SHOT KILL", as well as some more spectacularly amazing, soaring, spiralling, and wailing, melodic solo flights to top it off. Following that, track nine, "Canna-Business" starts with an awesome, opening melodic riff before going into a full-throttle, thrashing onslaught that is bombarded by furious, straight-ahead, pounding drums, along with that same intro riff that is greatly infused in the verses, and also contains brutal, and gruffy vocals, along with powerful, raging, howling, thrashy choruses which also contain some killer, thrashing riffs, and the song is also highlighted by yet another fantastic solo section in which Eric first busts out a killer wah-wah-like solo, and then Alex comes in with a wicked, blistering, shredding solo, and then Eric also closes out the song with another awesome wah-wah solo. Then, we have the album's final track, "The Number Game" which is a brutal, and pulverizing, neck-snapper of an album closer, and is also my absolute favorite track off the album. Starting out with a catchy, and brutal, military-like snare drum roll, the song then thrusts into a wickedly vicious barrage of blazing, fast picking, thrash riffs, and violent, slamming, thrashing double bass thuds, and ferocious vocals abound. Also highlighting this monstrous thrasher is an addicting chorus in which Chuck belts out lyrics including: "Fourteen days and fourteen lives...Random victims are my prey"..., as well as a monstrous, and crushing breakdown section around the 2 minute mark with some punishing riffs and double bass patterns, and we also have a pair of winding, wailing, shredding, yet melodic solo flights from Eric and Alex, as well as a final reprisal of the song's chorus that top off this brutal, monster of a closer. All in all, with "Brotherhood of the Snake", there's is certainly no question that Testament are completely 100% right at the top of their game, and showing absolutely no signs of slowing down at all whatsoever. These guys are simply without a doubt, one of the greatest thrash metal bands on the planet, and this album here is truly a true testament to their musical talent and abilities. They really show that it takes a ton of skill, talent, and heart and soul when it comes to making great quality music unlike all the overrated, talentless mainstream pop, rap, radio rock drivel that's constantly being played on the radio all the time. Anyways, with that being said, if you've enjoyed Testament's last two aforementioned albums, then by all means, you will truly enjoy "Brotherhood of the Snake". Believe me, this album is an absolute must have for any fan of Testament, thrash, metal, or just great quality music in general. Congrats Testament, you guys got another winner in the books...HORNS UP!!! \m/ \m/ Jeremy

I've been a testament fan since 86? just before the new order ( still one of the best cd they released) they have been at this peak since 90 ready to go over the peak of success but to may time they get pushed back or derailed(rushed to finish souls of black for the titian euro tour,right after the ritual Louie and Alex leave the band and a lot of line up changes and the demonic cd title track but that cd was horrible-) years later they pulled much of the old band back Alex, &Greg, achieving there classic but undated sound for Formation of Damnation &Dark Roots of Earth. I feel this cd Brotherhood of the Snake is good but it's missing the fury they once had the cd is just not a classic testament there is no bite ,nothing new and ground breaking and most every testament cd can hold you attention easily this cd no i find myself going what else do i have to listen too.

This is a terrific album. I listened to the singles for over a month and got the album Pre-Ordered for a deep discount price of $7.99 at time of release. I really love this album. It's got the straight-ahead rock singing mixed with the 'Death' type howl that he's had for a while now, too. The music is fantastic and the solos are (as you would guess) just amazing. The drums are great, not as over the top as some stuff these days, which can be too much, but are busy enough. I strongly recommend to any metal-head, to pick this up. If you like the TestAmenT sound, this will not disappoint. I can't wait to give it another spin, just a solid, terrific 2016 Metal Album. I think they compromised on just enough and not too much to chew on here on this effort. Get it! You will love it!

Worth it. Best album sense Low.

Vier Jahre hat es gedauert bis die Thrash-Ikonen von TESTAMENT mit "Brotherhood of the Snake" den langersehnten Nachfolger des granatenmäßigen Albums "Dark Roots of Earth" präsentieren. Schon mit dem Opener lassen die Bay-Area-Thrasher keinen Zweifel aufkommen, wohin die Reise mit dem neuesten Silberling gehen wird. Der Titelsong "Brotherhood of the Snake" ist gleich mal ein richtig fettes Stahlgewitter, das einem mal kurz die Birne wegballert. Wer also etwas unsicher war, ob TESTAMENT an die Klasse des Vorgängers würden anknüpfen können, den kann ich gleich beruhigen - können sie! TESTAMENT überfordern den Hörer nicht mit irgendwelchen Experimenten oder schrägen Ideen, nein, die Jungs um Frontmann CHUCK BILLY servieren altbewährtes Ohrenfutter, allerdings in herausragender Qualität! Nach dem fulminanten Auftakt präsentieren TESTAMENT mit "The Pale King" ein richtiges "Groove-Monster", der etwas schleppende und stampfende Rhythmus zieht einen förmlich mit. Schon mit den ersten Tönen musste ich, mit allen beweglichen Körperteilen, der Melodie huldigen - na ja, mit fast allen! ;-) Wie auch immer, "The Pale King" hat sich in Rekordgeschwindigkeit in meine Herz gespielt, ein ganz großartige Nummer! Mit "Stronghold" schließt sich dann direkt ein Nackenbrecher aller erster Güte an, halsbrecherische Gitarrenriffs, aggressiv, räudig und ohne viel Firlefanz vorgetragen - das ist Oldschool-Thrash! Nicht ganz so halsbrecherisch geht es dann mit "Seven Seals" weiter, was es diesem Song an Geschwindigkeit fehlt, das macht er mit Kraft und Dynamik wett, ein richtiges Brett! Definitiv gehört diese Nummer zu meinen persönlichen Album-Highlights und er wächst und wächst mit jedem weiteren Durchgang. Tja, wenn ich schon über Highlights schwadroniere, dann kann ich mit "Born in a Rut" gleich weiter machen. Auch dieses schwer stampfende Groove-Monster" ist im Midtempo angesiedelt, besticht aber, wie der Vorgänger, durch seine Kraft und Dynamik. CHUCK BILLY verpasst dem Song durch seine Stimme eine gehörige Portion Härte und Aggressivität - die Nummer haut richtig rein! Wer jetzt ein wenig schläfrig geworden ist, der wird mit "Centuries of Suffering" ziemlich unsanft geweckt - das ist eine energiegeladene Dampframme bei dem die Nackenmuskulatur bei so manchem Headbanger ziemlich in Mitleidenschaft gezogen werden dürfte. In die selbe Kerbe hauen TESTAMENT mit dem darauf folgenden "Neptune's Spear". Dieser Song gefällt mir noch besser, denn TESTAMENT spielen sehr geschickt mit dem Tempo, dieses Auf und Ab gefällt mir richtig gut. Über das Solo im Mittelteil schreibe ich jetzt mal nichts, das müsst ihr euch selber anhören - einfach großartig welche Töne ALEX SKOLNICK seiner Sechssaitigen entlocken kann! Was soll ich zu "Black Jack" schreiben? Genial trifft es nicht einmal annähernd! Ein richtig fieser Rhythmus und Mörderriffs dominieren diesen Song - mitreißend und wieder mit einem göttlichen Solo im Mittelteil - einfach großartig und für mich der beste Song auf diesem Album! Überhaupt gefallen mir die stampfenden Midtempo-Nummern viel besser als die rasanten Nackenbrecher, bei diesen Song s kommt die musikalische Klasse der Band viel besser zum tragen - zumindest empfinde ich das so! Aber das dürfte eindeutig unter die Kategorie Geschmackssache fallen und das möchte ich auch nicht als Kritik oder Abwertung verstanden wissen. Vor allem weil sich an meinen Favoriten direkt ein richtig geiler Nackenbrecher anschließt. Mit "Canna-Business" rütteln die Bay-Area-Thrasher den Hörer noch einmal ordentlich durch, bevor sich mit dem abschließenden "The Number Game" eine infernalische Ausgeburt der Hölle anschließt, die einem den "Gnadenstoß" versetzt! "Brotherhood of the Snake" ist ein durchweg gelungenes Album bei dem nicht nur Fans der Band auf ihre Kosten kommen sollten, sondern jeder der sich auch nur annähernd mit Thrash-Metal identifizieren kann. Für mich ist dieses Album eine "Sternstunde" dieses Genres und definitiv eines der Thrash-Highlights dieses Jahres, wenn nicht sogar DAS Thrash-Highlight. Auf "Brotherhood of the Snake" habe ich rein gar nichts entdecken können das mich auch nur zu einem Anflug von Kritik veranlassen würde, das ist aller feinstes Ohrenfutter, knallharter und fast schon puristischer Thrash-Metal auf einem Niveau, das die meisten Bands niemals erreichen werden! Anspieltipps? Ich lach mich tot, das komplette Album ist ein einziger Anspieltipp! Kauft euch das Ding, dreht die Anlage auf und genießt dieses höllische Soundinferno! Mein Fazit: Auch nach 30 Jahren ist bei der "Bay-Area-Thrash-Legende" keine Spur von Altersmüdigkeit zu entdecken, vor allem die "Dinos" CHUCK BILLY, ERIC PETERSON und ALEX SKOLNICK scheinen in großartiger Verfassung zu sein. In Sachen Thrash-Metal macht ihnen so schnell niemand etwas vor, auf "Brotherhood of the Snake" präsentieren sie 10 hochklassige Songs, bei denen so manch hochgelobte Nachwuchsband vor Neid erblassen sollte. Kraftvolle und Leidenschaftliche Musik, für Genrefreunde ist "Brotherhood of the Snake" eigentlich ein Muss, für Fans von TESTAMENT sowieso! Tolles Album, definitiv ein Thrash-Highlight in 2016, meine Kaufempfehlung! Meine Bewertung: 10 von 10 Punkten.

Quanto a música apresentada, pra mim esse é um dos melhores álbuns do Testament. Tem alguma novidade? Não, mas quem compra um álbum da nada espera mais do mesmo ótimo trabalho. Os músicos estão afiadíssimos, e só a presença do Gene Hoglan na bateria já vale muito, sempre técnico e demolidor, ou seja, perfeito. O único porém, pra variar, é a qualidade gráfica da edição: a capa poderia ser plastificada no lugar do “papelão” que lembra os vinis nacionais dos quais reclamávamos tanto pela baixa qualidade do material.

No se puede pedir mas de bandas de este calibre simplemente siguen las mismas directrices de siempre ademas de que la presentacion en digipack esta de fabula asi como su booklet y lo mejor a un precio muy accesible recomendado para la gente que no le gusta lo comercial ni lo predecible.

good product

Buen producto, vendedor genial.