Titans Of Creation

The Bay Area thrash legends 13th studio effort, Titans of Creation commences with the familiar sound of immaculate guitarmonies, blast furnace-forged double-kick drum, and taut, palm-muted riffage. Inspired by the mass suicide of the UFO religious cult Heavens Gate, the blazing Children of the Next Level may be straight out of the Testament playbook, but its potency is undeniable. Part of the thrash metal big eight alongside Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Exodus, Overkill, and Death Angel, Testaments road to glory has been a twisty one, marred by frequent personnel changes and industry chicanery, but theyve remained remarkably consistent over the decades, and Titans of Creation does nothing to tarnish that reputation. Guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick are one of the genres most lethal duos, and they provide plenty of aerial thrills on standout cuts like the kinetic Night of the Witch and Dream Deceiver, and the lurid City of Angels, the latter of which is based on the grisly tale of serial killer Richard Ramirez, aka the Night Stalker. Behind the kit, Gene Hoglan treats blastbeats like a planned demolition, nimbly switching between artillery-like punctuation on the punishing WWIII and muscular prog-metal exploration on the cerebral Ishtars Gate. Chuck Billy continues to occupy the sweet/salty spot between James Hetfields burly roar and Dave Mustaines wily sneer, and his energetic performance adds emotional heft to the already considerable gravitas laid down by his bandmates. Co-produced by the band and Juan Urteaga (Cattle Decapitation, Machine Head), Titans of Creation is as savage as it is meticulously rendered; born of the wisdom of age and rage. ~ James Christopher Monger

前作も良作だったが、この12作目もそれに引けを取らない会心作。今回はエリック・ピーターソンいわくオールドスクール・スラッシュを意識したらしく、みずからの原風景に立ち返った一枚と言える。わかりやすいリフ、ミッドテンポの重心の低い曲調、そして、チャック・ビリーのうねりを上げる極太ヴォイスも迫力満点だ。ヴェテランの強味と旨味を効かせたフック抜群の曲調にテンションは上がるばかり。最高!
bounce (C)荒金良介