TESTAMENT's name doesn't need long dissertations to be explained. They're one of the greatest names of Thrash metal since the 80's, when their commercial success started on the band's second album, "The New Order". Obviously their career had many troubled times, many ups and downs that every fan has. But one astonishing feature about their work is that many writers praised "Dark Roots of Earth" as their finest release (it's not usual, because many old Thrash Metal giants released their best albums on the 80's). But "Brotherhood of the Snake", even being a very good album, was seen was 'weaker' than its predecessor, leaving a lot of responsibility to the band to deal with. And as an answer, came their latest release, the album "Titans of Creation".

Their musical work didn't change: it's the same old and good model that West Coast Thrash Metal bands uses since the 80's, but with different musical elements that forms the core of the quintet's identity, something that evolved through the years. And the band's aggressiveness improved a lot, their melodic essence as well, but with their personal insight that was created back on the 80's. And features as a hypnotic and sharp energy, hooking choruses and excellent technical level are presented, but in an evolved and inspired way. The result: one of the best albums of this year!

Eric and Chuck produced the album, having Juan Urteaga once more working on the recordings and as the co-producer, and their long time partner Andy "please produce the next IRON MAIDEN's album" Sneap worked on the mixing and mastering. Nothing has changed since "The Brotherhood of the Snake" on the album's production, and the result is an aggressive and clean sonority that fits perfectly on what the band is up to with this album. But the aggressiveness has improved a lot! And the fine art of Eliran Kantor (another longtime partner of the band) created an amazing artwork for the cover.

Musically, as the band's lineup is solid and experienced, they hit the target, because all the songs of "Titans of Creation" are perfect. But for a first time, the abrasive and nasty aggressiveness of "Children of the Next Level" (a great song with an excellent catchy chorus and a perfect work from guitars on riffs and leads from Eric and Alex) and of "WW III" (this one has a strong and thunderous work from bass guitar and drums, showing that Steve and Gene form one of the best rhythmic sessions of Metal), the catchy and solid wall of riffs shown on "Dream Deceiver" (a song with very good and technical melodies, along with that signature singing of Chuck), the oppressive weight used on "Night of the Witch", the nasty and tasty groove used on "Ishtars Gate", the old Hard Rock/Classic Rock elements that tempers the extreme insight of "The Healers", and the fast and furious (but brutal and heavy) outfit of "Curse of Osiris" are the right ones. But this album is as addictive as caffeine, so on the second listening, the band will show you why their absence from the Big Four of North American Thrash Metal is one of the greatest injustices of all times.

Of course that no one can say if "Titans of Creation" is going to be considered the band's best album or will be seen as a classic in the future, but one thing is clear: that TESTAMENT made of the best 10 albums of the year!