There’s something I’ve always really loved about Testament. They seem like one of the biggest thrash bands that really evolved over time. Not that Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer and whoever else hasn’t, but Testament seemed to go a path of their own.
Chuck Billy’s vocals have always stood out to me. He has this bellow that could shake the earth. He uses his screams sparingly which makes them so much more impactful. The new single we’re talking about today is no exception.
“Infanticide A.I.” blends classic in your face/in the pit thrash metal with some death metal elements in usual Testament fashion. The epic harmonized guitar solo intro into a blast beat riff. The verses have a good chug to them with the aforementioned Billy Chuck below over top. It’s everything you want in a Testament tune.
One thing it’s hard not to notice is their use of blast beats. There was an article where Eric Peterson defended their use when Gene Holgan stepped into the band after Paul Bostaph had a wrist injury and could no longer perform with the band. Blast beats were never really a staple of thrash metal early on but obviously became a tool in the toolbox a bit later on after being popularized through death metal and black metal.
Testament adopted the use of blast beats in 2012’s “Dark Roots of the Earth” which they appeared in a few tracks namely “True American Hate” and “Native Blood”. Holgan originally played in death metal bands prior to Testament and had brought that influence to the band. In my opinion, it was a very welcome influence. Peterson and Skolnick are two ripping guitar players that can definitely turn up the intensity by using blast beats.
Anyways, “Infanticide A.I.” is all about the dystopian nature of A.I. through the perspective of Chuck Billy.
“Annihilation
Interpretation
Computer human replication
Infanticide A.I.
Infanticide
Generation genocide”
This is definitely what you want out of a 21st century Testament tune. Ripping guitars, intense riffs, blast beats, Chuck Billy and a song you can totally circle pit to. I won’t belabor the point or overstay my welcome here. Just go check out this tune.
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Kyle, with “The Great Megalodon”