Dark Roots of Earth [Deluxe Edition, Extra tracks, CD+DVD]

Testament | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 31, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Deluxe Edition, Extra tracks, CD+DVD
• Label: Nuclear Blast America
• ASIN: B0089LT8Y6
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (127 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,085 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Rise Up

2. Native Blood

3. Dark Roots of Earch

4. True American Hate

5. A Day In The Death

6. Cold Embrace

7. Man Kills Mankind

8. Throne of Thorns

9. Last Stand for Independence

Editorial Reviews

Deluxe CD/DVD edition includes bonus DVD. 2012 album from the veteran California Thrash Metal band. Testament are one of the few living legends of the Thrash scene who are able to evoke the same strong emotions as they did in the 80s and who truly grow with each album. 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 (who previously appeared on the band's 1997 album Demonic); 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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 54 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Testament - Dark Roots Of Earth July 31, 2012

By Gentlegiantprog

Format:Audio CD

Dark Roots Of Earth is the tenth full-length studio album by the legendary San Franciscan Bay Area Thrash Metal band Testament. It was released on Nuclear Blast in the summer of 2012, following up 2008's critically acclaimed The Formation Of Damnation album. Like that album and indeed also its 1999 predecessor, The Gathering, the album was produced by the famous British producer Andy Sneap.

There was a bit of background intrigue regarding the album's drummer in as much as that although the excellent and underrated Paul Bostaph was still a member of the band just before the time of the album's writing, due to an injury, the drums on the album where actually played by another former Testament band member (and member or contributor with dozens of respected and influential bands) Gene Hoglan. Consequently the album has quite a different feel, as far as the drumming goes, to The Formation Of Damnation.

Interestingly, the band also worked with Lamb Of God's Chris Addler on this record, but 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.

Stylistically speaking, Dark Roots Of Earth very much continues in the path set by the previous two Testament albums, mixing elements of their classic Thrash sound with some elements of their more Death Metal influenced mid period, toned down. The result is an album that has songs with the occasional use of Death-vocals like 1997's Demonic album, sharing song-time with melodic singing and guitar harmonies like 1989's Practice What You Preach album or even perhaps 1992's The Ritual, as well as the somewhat controversial new usage of Blast Beats.... This pretty much creates a best-of-both-worlds scenario for fans of the band's entire catalogue.

The main body of the album however is made up of speedy double-kicks, chugging low-pitched guitars and mostly shouted vocals, punctuated frequently by Alex Skolnick's and Eric Peterson's creative leads and solos. So, effectively it pretty much embodies the classic Bay Area Thrash sound, but in a way which still comes across as fresh and modern primarily through the excellent production job and the surprising amount of melody in the songwriting.

There are also a couple of tracks, including the Title Track and the semi-ballad `Cold Embrace' which try other ideas and styles as well, which adds a touch of variety to the album, breaking up the stream of faster pounding numbers and allowing it to flow well from beginning to end.

Highlights include the catchy opener `Rise Up,' the catchy single `True American Hate' and the aforementioned semi-ballad `Cold Embrace.'

At the end of the day, its going to be down to personal preference how much you enjoy the album and where it fits in the band's catalogue. Some people will find it a little too modern and some people won't find it light and melodic enough. Some people would prefer if Louie Clemente or Paul Bostaph had been on it and some people just don't like modern production at all. If any of these things sound like how your mind usually works then this might be one to skip but it's definitely a personal-preference issue if you dislike the record rather than any inherent lack of quality.

What can't really be argued is that the band have put in a tremendous amount of care and effort into crafting this album and care has been taken to mix old-school and modern styles to keep things fresh. It isn't just formulaic and it isn't just phoned-in and I personally enjoy it a great deal. Due to the album's very high anticipation level and all the excitement surrounding it, I'm not sure at this point if the album will retain all of its potency with the passage of time or how much respect the fans will give it two or three albums down the line, but it certainly leaves an incredibly strong first impression right now and is far, far from a disappointment or let down.

Overall; Dark Roots Of Earth is an excellent and enjoyable fifty-minute album. Fans of Testament should check out the album, especially if they already enjoyed the previous album; fans of Thrash should check out the album, especially if they like the excellent renaissance its been enjoying in recent years as classic bands either reform or release their best albums since the eighties and in fact, fans of Metal in general who for some reason haven't yet explored Testament should consider at least checking out this album if they have the time and money to take a shot on it.

***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. Basically, it is a nice enough bonus feature but isn't of the same production value as their Live In London DVD.

The packaging of this special edition version is in an elaborate glossy book-style presentation, with the pages stuck into the case's spine and the discs held inside a `page' each. And overall the whole thing is worth the extra money if the price difference is small enough and you haven't already got a copy of the album*** Read more ›

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Testament rises again. August 6, 2012

By Brian Nallick TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've been a Testament fan since The Legacy.
After releasing five stunning albums both lead guitarist Alex Skolnick and drummer Louie Clemente jumped ship.
Multiple lineup changes and three more albums under their belts we find the original guitarist rejoining on the last album.
So now that the new lineup has had some time to settle how does the new album stand up?
Well, it's not Formation, it's definitely more like classic Testament.
If you liked the first five albums then you'll like this one.
Superb production.
Killer drumming.
Brilliant lead work from Eric and Alex.
The bass is actually audible and is excellent.
Chuck Billy turns in one of his most powerful performances to date.
If you're looking for another Demonic then you might want to preview this one first.
Classic Testament the whole way.
No weak tracks and some killer bonus tracks as well.
A dream come true for an old school fan.
Recommended.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Testament at the height of their powers July 31, 2012

By Murat Batmaz

Format:Audio CD

It's been four years since Testament's comeback album The Formation of Damnation. If you enjoyed that one for whatever reasons, be prepared to be blown away by Dark Roots of Earth.

The new album finds the band crafting a sonic thrash metal masterpiece, putting more emphasis on extended melodic guitar solos, intricate arrangements, powerful rhythm work, and excellent vocals. The songs are complex yet very easy to enjoy at the same time because the band has amassed so many immortal melodies this time around. The songs are also more homogenous but varied, involving plenty of complex passages laced with melodic twin guitar harmonies, fiery lead riffs, and stomping rhythmic anchors. Chuck Billy utilizes his full spectrum of vocal talents here. He goes for the clean singing as well as his instantly recognizable throaty delivery that borders on roaring and screaming.

The rhythmic tandem on the album is amazing. Gene Hoglan returns to the band after 1997's Demonic and puts in an awesome performance. His drum tone is full and organic. His style is quite different from Paul Bostaph's; he engages in more intricate fills and even adds some twisted blast beats to the mix on songs like "Native Blood" and "True American Hate," two of the album's most aggressive numbers. Hoglan grooves and thrashes with ease, and the addition of blast beats certainly lends the pieces an extra dimension. Greg Christian's bass tone is perhaps just about the best tone he has ever had (thanks to Andy Sneap's meticulous production). The song "A Day in the Death" might be the album's highpoint from a compositional standpoint.... It is written around a gritty bass figure that opens the piece and drives it to its ultimate climax, in part due to the vaguely Egyptian-themed solo by Skolnick and thought-provoking lyrics.

Guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick are possibly the genre's most powerful duo. Peterson is responsible for churning out his trademark riffs; they are sharp and snappy, and have a lasting impact. There probably is not another rhythm guitarist that shapes the sound of the songs so profoundly. That noted, Peterson also proves he is equally adept at soloing and lays down several lead solos to contrast and complement his partner.

Alex Skolnick is one of a kind. Even during the blisteringly fast tempos alternating between Hoglan's dazzling fills and attacks and Peterson's bruising riffing, Skolnick retains his unique style. His arpeggios remain surprisingly musical and articulate, and his soloing sends shivers down the spine. At times, his crystal clean tone and legato riffs carry a Van Halen flavour to them; they are so precise and well integrated into the songs. It is this feat that sets the man apart from just about any guitarist in thrash metal. He is the best.

At times, parts of the album sound like a cross between the previous album and The Ritual due to Skonick's unique harmonic minor solos. The inclusion of a seven-plus-minute quasi-ballad, "Cold Embrace," may be a turn-off for some fans in that they may feel it is too long and breaks up the flow of the otherwise relentlessly heavy disc. However, the way the song builds from the blues-tinged acoustic guitars to a soaring number is staggering. It is one of the album's standout pieces to these ears.

Andy Sneap's production is sharp and threatening. His mix is so punchy it moves air, and it does not hide a single note, which results in Skolnick's solos coming through more effectively and sounding more organic.

The deluxe edition of the CD contains a number of cover tunes. Scorpions' "Animal Magnetism" is turned into a sinister piece with the whole focus being on creating an evil atmosphere. Iron Maiden's "Powerslave" features a killer solo and amazing drumming, but I'm not really too keen on the vocals here. Queen's "Dragon Attack" finds the band really jamming it out; it has a cool live vibe to it. I don't see the point of the bonus version of "Throne of Thrones," as it seems to be the same song with a 30-second solo attached to the end. The album version is more compact and would work better in a live setting.

This is probably the best thrash metal disc I've heard this year. Read more ›

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Reminiscent of The Ritual in a great way August 12, 2012

By RubberZ VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm not sure what's happenign with these bands I loved in high school cooming back and making great records, but I am a happy camper. Dar ROot sof the Earth is just a good listen from start to finish, Testament has been able to adapt to the times and as continued to put out great records, I think Low was a significant change in their style that brought them to a little more modern sound, but Dark Roots really embraces their classic sound and Chuck's current voice in a way that's hard to describe, you've just gotta listen, if you are a Testament fan you need to get this one, it is an instant classic.