2012 album from the veteran California thrash metal band Testament.
Chuck Billy – lead vocals
Eric Peterson – lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals
Alex Skolnick – lead and rhythm guitars
Greg Christian – bass
Gene Hoglan – drums
Session musicians
Chris Adler – drums on "A Day in the Death" (iTunes bonus track)
The album was produced by Andy Sneap, who mixed and engineered the band's previous two studio albums. The artwork was created by Eliran Kantor.
This album saw a reunion with former drummer Gene Hoglan during the recording, he filled in for Paul Bostaph due to his "serious injury".
Chris Adler of Lamb of God provided drum tracks as well, bbut his tracks didn't end up on the standard version of the album, although his version of the track `A Day In Death' can be bought separately online.
If you chose to get the special edition version, you can enjoy four bonus tracks, including an extended version of `Throne Of Thrones,' as well as the Queen cover `Dragon Attack,' the Scorpions cover `Animal Magnetism' and the Iron Maiden cover `Powerslave.'
Furthermore, you get a dvd featuring a 29-minute making-of documentary, although the band did give away most of the footage in free webisodes prior to the album's release.
There is also a 9-minute `Gear Tour' from the guitarists where they take you through the pick-ups and pedals and that sort of thing.
Finally there is a 20-minute live concert from the Avalon Ballroom, Santa Clara California, February 19th 2012. The track listing is: 1. Practice What You Preach 2. Over The Wall 3. Souls Of Black 4. Disciples Of The Watch.
It is a multi-camera shoot and a fairly energetic performance from the band in front of an enthusiastic crowd (they have fun and you even hear the Breaking The Law riff at one point), although the sound quality isn't incredible and the vocals and guitar are fairly low in the mix. Despite these sound problems it is still fairly enjoyable, and watching Skolnick's guitar solos close up should be interesting for guitarists.
