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Testament - Para Bellum Album

TESTAMENT “Para Bellum” (2025) 

Out OCTOBER 10th, 2025 on Nuclear Blast Records

“PARA BELLUM” Album Pre-Order / Pre-Save:
https://testament.bfan.link/para-bellum

“Infanticide A.I.” Single:
https://testament.bfan.link/infanticide-a-i

Jackie Dusza

With every generation comes a great war. It may take years to fully reveal itself, but the seasoned warrior knows preparation is everything. Now in 2025, Bay Area thrash metal icons TESTAMENT return with their fourteenth studio album, Para Bellum, via Nuclear Blast Records. Taken from the Latin phrase Si vis pacem, para bellum—“If you want peace, prepare for war”—the album stands as both a battle cry and an observation of humanity’s uneasy alliance with its own creations. As technology accelerates and disconnection grows, Para Bellum sees TESTAMENT reflecting the modern chaos through music that’s urgent, sharp, and unflinchingly human.

True to their legacy, Para Bellum is a masterclass in dynamic thrash songwriting, guided by founding guitarist Eric Peterson and vocalist Chuck Billy, who continue to lead the band with vision and force. Each track on the album stands on its own—distinct in structure, key, and atmosphere—but when taken together, they create a record that flows seamlessly, puzzle-like, through eras and styles. From the haunting, groove-laden “Shadow People” to the whiplash intensity of “Infanticide A.I.,” the band explores themes both timeless and immediate: technology’s encroachment, supernatural dread, generational collapse, and duels worthy of a standoff in “The Gathering”-esque “High Noon”. 

“Who’s the fastest?” Billy jokes, “It sounds like there is about to be a draw.” Songs shift effortlessly from pummeling thrash to eerie darkness, with Chuck stretching his voice across clean chants, guttural roars, and whispers of doom, all in perfect sync with the mood of each piece. 

To the delight of many life-long Testament fans, this record also sees the inclusion of a ballad for the first time in many years. Precisely formulated to weave effortlessly with the album, “Meant To Be” contains a world of variety within itself; “I love how the song takes off at the end and just doesn’t look back,” explains Peterson. “It’s different, but it fits. It’s like a breath of fresh air.” This also marks another novel moment for the band using true, orchestrated strings performed by world renowned cellist Dave Eggar

A major evolution on Para Bellum is the addition of powerhouse drummer Chris Dovas, whose precision, speed, and instinctive dynamics infuse the album with fresh energy. Working closely with Peterson throughout the writing process, Dovas helped shape song structures, accelerated the workflow, and injected a level of versatility that amplifies the album’s modern edge without straying from the Testament sound. “He’s so inspired and quick to throw ideas back,” says Peterson, who also embraced his own black metal influences more heavily this time, both vocally and in the guitar work. Tracks like “Infanticide A.I.” and “For the Love of Pain” reflect this genre-blending approach—tight thrash foundations with ripples of black metal atmosphere. “Eric and I have a lot of similar influences,” explains Dovas, “We worked really closely on this album and had a great time.” 

Alongside Peterson, Alex Skolnick’s guitar work remains both razor-sharp and exploratory. “This album captures many different sides of the band through the years, along with some fresh new sounds,” Skolnick notes. “There’s a little something for everyone. You will not be disappointed.” Rounding out the rhythm section is the inimitable Steve DiGiorgio, whose walking bass lines add a unique low-ness, and technical depth, locking in flawlessly with Dovas’ expressive drumming. Meanwhile, Chuck leads the lyrical vision with contributions from longtime collaborator Del James and other friends, weaving a mix of supernatural mythos, sociopolitical commentary, and apocalyptic dread. 

Recorded with Juan Urteaga and mixed for the first time by Jens Bogren, Para Bellum is extremely polished and operating at full throttle. The cover art, once again painted by Eliran Kantor, captures the album’s essence: a serene angel made of missiles, an explosion turned halo, surrounded by shovel-bearing cultists with books strapped to their faces. It’s a visual metaphor for blind belief and self-destruction—created, notably, by hand –  in an era flooded by AI-generated imagery. 

In its opening notes, Para Bellum nods to the past by resurrecting a lost bridge from The Legacy—a full-circle moment that anchors the album’s expansive sonic journey. And as it ends, it does so peacefully, with a moment of classical-esque finger picking long used by Peterson to warm up his hands before battle. From first note to last breath, Para Bellum is an album by warriors—crafted in chaos, and built to outlast the wars to come! 

Testament Remastered

“The Legacy” + “The New Order” REMASTERED

ORDER The Legacy (Remastered)

ORDER The New Order (Remastered)

Testament @ Nuclear Blast Records

Biography

Chuck Billy | vocals
Eric Peterson | guitar
Alex Skolnick | guitar
Steve DiGiorgio | bass
Chris Dovas | drums

TESTAMENT is an undisputed titan of thrash metal. One of the definitive acts of the historic and high-octane genre since they first emerged from the San Francisco Bay Area in 1983, the modern icons established themselves with a series of classic records (released each year from 1987 through 1990). They never wavered creatively, unleashing one acclaimed album after another across four decades.

The band’s nearly 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone is a clear demonstration of the enduring strength of the Testament legions. Testament’s biggest anthems run the gamut of their storied career, from early classics like “Over the Wall” and “Into the Pit,” late ‘90s bangers like “Down for Life,” through modern scorchers like “For the Glory of…” and “Brotherhood of the Snake.”

An internationally recognized heavy metal institution, Testament regularly appears as a headlining mainstage act at major festivals. Over the years, they’ve toured alongside Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Korn, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Lamb Of God, among other contemporaries.

Charismatic frontman Chuck Billy’s distinctive voice infuses their signature sound with rich and diverse textures. Primary songwriter and cofounding guitarist Eric Peterson summons endlessly timeless riffs on command. Alex Skolnick, named one of the greatest of all time by Guitar World, was just 18 years old when Testament recorded their debut, The Legacy (1987). Longtime bassist Steve Di Giorgio (Sadus, Death, Obituary) brings rhythmic heft and fluid dexterity to the proceedings.

Drummer Chris Dovas, the band’s newest (and youngest) addition, adds his own passionate bombast while honoring the astounding legacy of former Testament drummers. (An alumnus including past and present members of Slayer, White Zombie, Dethklok, and Machine Head, among others.)

Both The Legacy (1987) and The New Order (1988) were inducted into Decibel Magazine’s prestigious Hall Of Fame, alongside albums from Metallica, Black Sabbath, and Motörhead. Revolver included The New Order on their list of 14 Thrash Albums You Need to Own. Guitar World recognized Practice What You Preach (1989) as one of the Top 10 Shred Albums of the Eighties. Souls of Black (1990) entered the Billboard 200 at No. 73; The Ritual (1992) debuted at No. 55. Guitar World called Low (1994) one of the Iconic Albums That Defined 1994. Demonic (1997) and The Gathering (1999) saw Testament mining new depths of extremity without sacrificing their bluesy swagger.

The Formation of Damnation (2008) won Best Album at Metal Hammer’s Golden Gods Awards, beating out records from Avenged Sevenfold, Children Of Bodom, Atreyu, and Down. Released nearly 30 years after the band’s formation, Dark Roots of Earth (2012) became their highest-charting album yet, moving more than 20,000 copies during its first week in the US and debuting at No. 12.

Brotherhood of the Snake (2016) enjoyed another Top 20 debut and hit No. 1 on the Independent chart. Titans of Creation (2020) joined year-end lists in Consequence, Loudwire, and Metal Hammer.

As the band gears up for a fall 2024 co-headlining tour with Kreator dubbed Klash Of The Titans, Testament continues work on their next studio album, which promises to become another modern classic. During the tour, the band will perform an “old-school set” celebrating the forthcoming remastered reissues of their landmark first two albums, The Legacy and The New Order.

The worldwide Testament Legions only continues to grow with renewed fervor and passion as one of the definitive acts of modern heavy metal marches forward, never wavering and always crushing. [new bio by Ryan J. Downey, written 5/24/2024]

Testament Band 2025

Discography

Titans of Creation (2020)
Titans of Creation (2020)
Brotherhood of the Snake (2016)
Brotherhood of the Snake (2016)
Dark Roots of Earth  (2012)
Dark Roots of Earth (2012)
Live At Eindhoven 2009 (Re-release 2017)
Live At Eindhoven 2009 (Re-release 2017)
The Formation of Damnation (2008)
The Formation of Damnation (2008)
First Strike Still Deadly (2001)
First Strike Still Deadly (2001)
The Gathering (1999)
The Gathering (1999)
Demonic (1997)
Demonic (1997)
Low (1994)
Low (1994)
The Ritual (1992)
The Ritual (1992)
Souls of Black (1990)
Souls of Black (1990)
Practice What You Preach (1989)
Practice What You Preach (1989)
The New Order (1988)
The New Order (1988)
The Legacy (1987)
The Legacy (1987)

News

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14 hours ago
Testament

Just three more days until THRASH of the TITANS commences!

EUROPE! Have you bought your tickets, yet?
Dates are selling out fast. Get yours now before they're gone at www.testamentlegions.com/

📸: Romana Makówka
... See MoreSee Less

Just three more days until THRASH of the TITANS commences! 

EUROPE! Have you bought your tickets, yet? 
Dates are selling out fast. Get yours now before theyre gone at https://www.testamentlegions.com/

📸: Romana MakówkaImage attachment

Comment on Facebook

You know the best Thrash Metal band ever is ready to kick some ass.

Get em, Steve!

Spain?

See you in Hannover on Sunday🤘🏻🤘🏻

Hope There is a second round next year including France

Ready for Stuttgart 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

can't wait for next thursday in ireland

CI VEDIAMO A LONDON

See ya on the 10/17/ in Wiesbaden

Munich i will See you 🤟

See yall on the 10th 🤘🔥🎸

Roll on Dublin. 🇮🇪

See you in Manchester 🤘 🤘

See you tonight!!!

🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🍺🍺🍺

16.10. Z7 Pratteln 🤘🤘

Wanted to go Manchester...backs dodgy cant take the pace no more ..57 and falling apart 🤣

See You in Wien🤘🤘🤘

This is Trash Metall forever! Frank

SEE YA FRIDAY!

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2 days ago
Testament

Yesterday we celebrated the anniversary of LOW 🤘

What's your favorite track from this album / era of TESTAMENT?

Artwork by Dave McKean
Produced by Garth Richardson
Recorded by Bill Kennedy
Mixed by Michael Wagener
... See MoreSee Less

Yesterday we celebrated the anniversary of LOW 🤘

Whats your favorite track from this album / era of TESTAMENT? 

Artwork by Dave McKean
Produced by Garth Richardson 
Recorded by Bill Kennedy 
Mixed by Michael Wagener

Comment on Facebook

Hail Mary especially when Chuck hits the “arms of darkness embrace me in madness…”

Trail of Tears...Dog faced Gods

Best Testament album for me, Dogs faced gods best track, the only original thrash era band with the guts to try some death metal sound!

there are the obvious hits like Low, Trail, Hail, Dog .... and a hidden (literally) diamond ..... Legions (in hidding) 🤘

When the best records ever cut by them Johnny tempestra on drum oh yeah some knick knack by the name of James Murphy on guitar LOL

I remember playing the track Low over & over. I thought how heavy is this tune & James Murphy stepped in & kicked A$$! 🤘🎸

The whole album slays, but my go to is Hail Mary. It’s amazing how a change of drummer can open up different dynamics. That’s not to throw shade at Louie because all the OG Testament albums are fire but he didn’t have the same chops as John Tempesta. Shame we didn’t get him on board full time but we got the atomic clock next album so…

When it was firsted released....I realized that the snare drum would get losted in the mix at times....hehe

This album is one of the metal savior went it came. When most of the band want to turn grunge testament said no: lets made a thrash/death metal one!🤘🏻👊

I’d say the title track. You guys played it in Flint on the PWYP tour and it *ruled* But you also played “Trail of Tears” and that guitar solo is 🔥.

Low, Hail Mary and Dog Faced Gods! 🤘

Dog Faced Gods🤘🏽🎸

Of Dog Faced Gods, and Trails of Tears

Death metal Chuck Billy voice unlocked 🔥🔥

All that I bleed!

My entrance to Testament.🤘 I love the whole album, but also love to sing along on Dog Faced Gods.😜

Great album, a rebirth for the band at a tough time for metal in general. Hard to pick a favourite, but "Dog Faced Gods" genuinely added something new and terrifying to the Testament vocabulary -- the speed, the unhinged fury, and Chuck pulling out the death growls for the first time in a really sustained way.

Dog faced Gods

All bangers but All I Bleed probably spends the most time in my head!

Underrated despite awesome songs : Low, Hail Mary, Shades Of War, Do Faced Dog, Trail of Tear ,Ride... and the whole album ! The first one of a new Testament master pieces era !

Oh hell yeah. Time to listen from beginning to end. As well as “Live at the Filmore.” Great albums. Dog Faced Gods, Urotsukidoji, and Trail of Tears.

“All I Could Bleed” = the significance of my entire existence.

Hail Mary. I have a copy of this album signed by the whole band. I was 13 years old in 1995 at the showcase theater in Corona CA. I'm 43 today. Thank you Testament for all the great years! It doesn't feel like 30 years blew by.

"Low" is a great song in the allegedly metal-deficient 90's and a stellar track without the classic lineup.

Low is my favorite Testament album.. I remember seeing you guys in Huntington, NY & there were technical problems so the show got a late start but you rocked for over 2 hours. Since that show, I have been at every ny area Testament show.

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3 days ago
Testament

THRASHERS! Our latest single "Shadow People" has been out for a couple of weeks, now! What do you think? Check the official video at youtu.be/CsWHa92QuIs

Just about 10 more days until the release of our latest studio album PARA BELLUM. Have you pre-ordered, yet? testament.bfan.link/para-bellum
... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

I love the vocals. The guitar work is top notch. Alex & Eric showcasing why they are in a league of their own. Prime example of excellent songwriting. 👌🏻 Take note Megadeth, Metallica. If you can?? 🤣😂

Chuck's pipes is like wine, gets better with age. 🎤🔥🤘

Can't wait for the new album! And to hear the songs live in oktober in Holland. But be sure to play the classics too.. see you in Utrecht 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

I’m loving this song more and more every day shadow people is an excellent head banger and probably some people seeing a 59 year-old in his vehicle headbanging are wondering what the fuck horns up🤘👽

Fuckin killer! 🤘sounds like this album is gonna be epic!

Absolutely awesome as always.

Can't wait for the record. I think I'm pretty much just buying vinyl from now on I realized how much I enjoy it the packaging is better than cd and I already pay from streaming so my favorite bands get the double treatment.

The boys never miss thats why they are kings of thrash for me no one compares

Great tune.The riff is great and the song progresses,never goes back,as if we have several scenarios.Is that the Theremin at the end of the song,just like in Night of the Witch?

Proper US tour with stop in Bay Area!! 🤘

I wanna hear a third single 🙁

Love it. I've pre-ordered. Looking forward to it.

It's been overdue....Look forward to Oct 10 from Bay Area finest! 🤘

Masterpiece

Great song... great lyrics

Love it!!

Mas que bueno

Oui j'attends ma copie vinyle avec impatience

Such an underrated band imo. Thank you for still making great metal. 🎸🔥🔥🎸

CD pre-ordered lfg

Killer song. 🤘🏾

Jó, ebből elég, énekhang kell...,rain bow, maiden...

Testament Guys, I'm coming all the way from Sardinia to see you for the third time in my life as a metalhead. I'm sure I'll have a blast, because ultimately, I'd love to see you live, every day. I hope you also have songs by Low, Demonic, and The Ritual on the setlist. And I hope I can take photos with all of you, because when you came to Sardinia with Mr. Skolnick, Mr. Peterson, and Mr. Di Giorgio, I couldn't even take a picture. See you in Trezzo sull'Adda.

Love it💥💥💥

Saw you guys live one year ago and you fuckin killed it, can't wait to hear the whole new album and see you again 🤘

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Just three more days until THRASH of the TITANS commences!

EUROPE! Have you bought your tickets, yet?
Dates are selling out fast. Get yours now before they're gone at https://www.testamentlegions.com/

📸: Romana Makówka

2

Yesterday we celebrated the anniversary of LOW 🤘

What's your favorite track from this album / era of TESTAMENT?

Artwork by Dave McKean
Produced by Garth Richardson
Recorded by Bill Kennedy
Mixed by Michael Wagener

THRASHERS! Our latest single "Shadow People" has been out for a couple of weeks! What do you think? Check the official video at https://youtu.be/CsWHa92QuIs

Just about 10 more days until the release of our latest studio album PARA BELLUM.

Pre-order: https://testament.bfan.link/para-bellum

PARA BELLUM is almost here! Out October 10th via Nuclear Blast Records.

Pre-order your copy or pre-save digitally at: https://testament.bfan.link/para-bellum

Thanks to RockHard Mag for having our own Chuck Billy on the cover of the October 2025 issue!

On news stands now or you can pick up a copy online! 🤘

https://shop.rockhard.de/de-de/rock-hard-vol-460

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Video

Tour dates

Thrash Of The Titans 2025
Party San Metal OA 2026
Summer Breeze 2026
Alcatraz Festival 2026
Dynamo Metalfest 2026

UPCOMING TOUR DATES 2025-2026

Merchandise

Testament Para Bellum Merch
Testament - Brazen Coffee

Contact Information

Bookings:

Dominik Meyer / Cobra Agency GmbH (Europe)
Scott Sokol / Pinnacle Entertainment (USA)

Business Management:

Zeisler, Zeisler, Rawson & Johnson LLP

Band Management:

FM Music Management
Frank Mastalerz frank@fmmusicmanagement.com
J.B jeff@fmmusicmanagement.com
 

Promotion & Press inquires:

Arne Jamelle arne@nuclearblast.de for Europe
Kristin Torres at Nuclear Blast USA Kristin@nuclearblastusa.com

Social Media:

Jackie Dusza duszajackie@gmail.com

Web:

 info@darkgrove.net (only website related matters)

Other inquires:

Ms. A webmaster@testamentlegions.com