This album has been hyped to the limit. After "Demonic", Testament's ventures in a more death metal oriented country, they have returned to the thrash of their early days.

The line-up has changed again, with Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson as the only remaining members from the last album. The new people are Dave Lombardo (Slayer/Grip Inc., drums), Steve DiGiorgio (Death/Sadus, bass) and we also see the return of James Murphy (guitar).

So, does "The Gathering" live up to the hype? Yeah, it does, and very much so. This might very well be their best album since 1988's "The New Order". Even though I was not the biggest Testament fan before, I get more and more hooked by listening to this cd. It's just heavy as fuck, superbly played and excellently produced all the way through. I like this a lot.

And by the way, Dave McKean's art is great. Really.

© 2001 daoloth