Testament’s Para Bellum: A Thunderous Celebration of Thrash Metal

Testament’s Para Bellum is both a thunderous celebration of the band’s thrash legacy and a bold venture into uncharted territory — and it’s Loudwire’s best metal album of 2025.

Why Did We Pick This Album?

In an era where many metal bands soften as they age, losing their songwriting edge or the fiery chops of their youth, Testament stands apart. With Para Bellum, the Bay Area thrash metal veterans reaffirm their position as one of the genre’s most intelligent and skilled bands. After forty years and 14 albums, they sound more driven and enraged than ever before.

The intensity is palpable from the very first notes of Para Bellum‘s opening track, “For the Love of Pain,” which fuses the band’s iconic thrash sound with elements of death and black metal, featuring rapid-fire blast beats, piercing screams, and intricate tremolo-picked riffs. The lead single, “Infanticide A.I.,” serves as a scathing critique of artificial intelligence, delivered with the raw power only seasoned metal giants can muster.

The album continues to unleash a relentless barrage of sound, oscillating between high-speed thrash and groove-heavy rhythms, while also showcasing a moment of introspection in the seven-and-a-half-minute epic, “Meant to Be.”

Watch the Video for Testament’s “Infanticide A.I.”

What Did Testament Fans Say About Para Bellum?

Don’t just take our word for it; both critics and fans have been left awestruck by the unyielding ferocity and technical prowess of Para Bellum.

One Reddit user remarked, “Overall it sure is more creative than other recent works like [Metallica’s] 72 Seasons and [Megadeth’s] The Sick, the Dying … and the Dead!“

Fans have also celebrated the contributions of drummer Chris Dovas, who made his recording debut with Testament following the departure of Dave Lombardo. At just 27 years old, Dovas has already made a significant impact on the band’s sound.

testament para bellum cover

Nuclear Blast

READ MORE: Best Thrash Metal Album of Each Year Since 1983

What Does Para Bellum Mean for Testament?

Prior to diving into the creation of Para Bellum, Testament reflected on their extensive history during the 2024 Klash of the Titans tour alongside Kreator. This tour featured tracks from their classics, The Legacy (1987) and The New Order (1988), providing them with the foundation to forge ahead with their new material.

Guitarist and primary songwriter Eric Peterson remarked, “Doing The New Order and The Legacy in its entirety, especially the older stuff, playing all that thrash again … Jesus, the right hand’s just going ‘rrrrr’ the whole time. When I get home and I’m writing riffs, I’m thinking about that in the back of my head a little bit. So it’s full circle. We’re kind of back to the beginning but with all these newer influences, especially with the death and the black metal vibes.” Peterson, who also leads a symphonic black metal side project called Dragonlord, found the impetus to incorporate more extreme elements into the new album through collaboration with Dovas, whom he regards as a kindred spirit.

Peterson added, “We’ve always had these newer elements since [1994’s] Low, i.e., ‘Dog Faced Gods.’ The idea has always been there, but it wasn’t until young new drummer Chris Dovas came in and shared the same or similar love and influences drumming-wise for my riffs as I do that I realized this makes for a great and deadly match!”

What New Metal Bands Have Inspired Testament?

Peterson stays attuned to contemporary metal, citing deathcore bands such as Lorna Shore, Mental Cruelty, and Crown Magnetar as current favorites. Despite his appreciation for modern sounds and the growing popularity of extreme metal, he initially hesitated to lead Para Bellum with its heaviest tracks.

He admitted, “I had a formula of how I thought the record would go. But everybody at the studio was saying, ‘You need to come out with this song, “For the Love of Pain.”‘ I go, ‘Isn’t that kinda heavy?’ They’re like, ‘Yeah, you want to be heavy.’ And I think they were right because a lot of people like that song. But then after you realize what’s out there, you listen to Lorna Shore and … Slaughter to Prevail … They’re really doing good right now.” He laughed, adding, “Then I listen to mine and I’m like, all right, ours is like a pop version.”

Listen to Testament’s “For the Love of Pain”

What’s Next for Testament?

As Dovas steps into the shoes of some of metal’s most esteemed drummers, including Gene Hoglan, Paul Bostaph, and Lombardo, he embraces the challenge with great enthusiasm. “It’s definitely an honor because those are all drummers that I look up to,” he expressed. “The best part about how the album turned out was that Eric and I had so much fun working and writing together. We spent so much time together, and the chemistry we have when making music is something that I’m very grateful for. We already have plans to start working on the next record!”

Looking ahead, Testament has a busy summer filled with European festival dates scheduled for 2026, and more tour announcements are expected as Para Bellum continues to gain recognition worldwide.

Congratulations to Testament for being awarded Loudwire’s Metal Album of the Year!

Watch + Listen Loudwire Nights’ Interview With Testament’s Eric Peterson

The 51 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2025

As we reach the halfway point of the decade, let’s take a moment to revisit the best rock and metal albums of 2025, listed in the order they were released.

Discover how many of your favorite albums from this year made the cut!

Contributions by Chuck Armstrong (CA), Jordan Blum (JB), Rob Carroll (RC), Chad Childers (CC), Joe DiVita (JD), John Hill (JH), and Lauryn Schaffner (LS).

Gallery Credit: Loudwire Staff

Conclusion

Testament’s Para Bellum not only showcases the band’s relentless energy and innovative spirit but also cements their status as a leading force in the thrash metal genre. With powerful performances and a willingness to embrace new influences, Testament proves that they are far from slowing down as they continue to evolve and inspire within the metal community.

FAQs

What themes are explored in Para Bellum?

The album delves into various themes, including critiques of modern technology, personal struggles, and the band’s storied history in the metal scene.

Who is the new drummer for Testament?

Chris Dovas is the new drummer, having joined the band in 2023 and made his recording debut on Para Bellum.

How does Para Bellum compare to Testament’s previous albums?

Para Bellum incorporates more extreme metal elements while maintaining the classic thrash sound that fans love, showcasing the band’s evolution over the years.

What is the meaning of the title Para Bellum?

The title translates to “prepare for war,” reflecting the album’s aggressive themes and powerful musicality.