Album Review: Testament – Para Bellum (Nuclear Blast)

Bay Area thrash metal icons Testament return with their fourteenth studio album, ‘Para Bellum’, via Nuclear Blast Records. Taken from the Latin phrase’ Si vis pacem, para bellum – If you want peace, prepare for war’, the album is out on October 10th, 2025.

What we want from a modern Testament record and what we expect might be two very different things, and even though we might dream of a thrash banger that freshens up their sound, the cynical part of us might expect nothing more than a rethread of old thrash glories, After all, Testament have solidified their icon status and this is their fourteenth album, who could blame them if they leaned back and didn’t put too much effort in, right?

Of course, I am being hyperbolic because that is not even close to what the legendary head bangers do. All our dreams, and more, come true here. Where Testament deliver a raucous ten-track banger that takes a scathing look at the modern world, adding nihilistic punctuation, infusing creative twists to the thrash formula, but also turning back the clock for plenty of old-school speed and heaviness. It is, without a shadow of a doubt, a huge Testament release and another strong entry in their burgeoning catalogue of brilliant releases.

It’s a riffy start with the punchy head banger that is For the Love of Pain. This is Testament at their heaviest, with infusions of death and black metal, but driven by big riffs, pounding drums, and Chuck Billy’s vitriolic vocals. It is undeniably thrash metal and complimented by the straight-forwardly heavy and speedy Infanticide A.I. The kind of intensity that hits hard and is kept short and sharp because of that. As well as the groovy Shadow People, one of the most head banging inducing tracks of all.

Three mighty and varied efforts that showcase the power behind this band as they stand in 2025. Not just able to hang with the ‘kids’, but in many regards, reminding the new school just what thrash metal is all about.

Though don’t let that lead you to believe that Testament aren’t willing to push themselves, try new things, and learn from others. A point proven by the extensive melodies of the ballad, Meant to Be. It might not be the first ballad Testament have created (it’s been a while though), but by using orchestrated strings performed by world renowned cellist Dave Eggar, it shows a whole new side to them. It’s such a cool track.

Didn’t like that? Fear not, old-school Testament thrash is back with aplomb on the potent High Noon, the feverish Witch Hunt (I love the soloing in this one), and the raging Nature of the Beast. The band’s exploration of themes around technology’s encroachment, supernatural dread, generational collapse, and so on, really does seem to have added some more fire to their bellies.

Bang your head, get in the pit, and hail f**king Testament.

Right up to the end, they pull out all the stops to make this an album worthy of their name. Thrashing the mind with an array of anthemic, daring, excitable, and striking tunes. From Room 117, to Havana Syndrome, and to the title track, the record stays strong.

Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, eh? Even if the ones Testament already have aren’t getting old anytime soon.

Testament – Para Bellum Track Listing:

1. For the Love of Pain
2. Infanticide A.I.
3. Shadow People
4. Meant to Be
5. High Noon
6. Witch Hunt
7. Nature of the Beast
8. Room 117
9. Havana Syndrome
10. Para Bellum

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