Showcasing bold improvisation, boundary-pushing arrangements and the unmistakable skill of the trio, Prove You’re Not A Robot finds AST operating at full creative strength. The album’s title plays on our hyper-digital everyday life, while also pointing to something more meaningful — the value of genuine human connection and the irreplaceable energy of live performance in a time increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

The sessions feature an assortment of vintage and custom gear — including a Roger Sadowsky archtop and a 1935 Gibson L-00 acoustic — helping shape the album’s rich tonal personality. Musically, it moves from the uplifting flow of “Guiding Ethos” to the adventurous Chick Corea/Steve Howe hybrid piece “Armando’s Mood.” Skolnick’s expressive guitar leads the way, while bassist Nathan Peck and drummer Matt Zebroski deliver the dynamic interplay, shifting meters and stylistic turns that have become defining traits of the Alex Skolnick Trio sound.

Since their emergence in the early 2000s, AST has carved out a unique identity within the jazz-guitar trio format, pulling inspiration from everywhere — Wes Montgomery and Prince, BLACK SABBATH and tango, calypso grooves and Western swing. Their fearless reinterpretations of rock and metal staples have helped them stand out, earning recognition from Billboard, Downbeat, Jazziz, The Village Voice, NPR, and more. Onstage, they’ve taken their sound around the world, performing everywhere from Norway’s Larvik Guitar Festival and Paris’s legendary Olympia to New York’s own Radio City Music Hall.

With “Prove You’re Not A Robot”, the trio adds another bold chapter to their story — one that speaks equally to jazz purists and to rock listeners curious about where Skolnick’s imaginative, genre-crossing path leads next.

“I feel this album represents my strongest work as a composer,” Skolnick said in a statement. “Nathan and Matt really brought their A-game throughout. I think it’s safe to say this is the record we’re all most proud of.”

Track listing:

01. Prove You’re Not A Robot
02. Breakdown
03. Infinite Hotel
04. Armando’s Mood
05. The Polish Goodbye
06. Asking For A Friend
07. Parallel Universe
08. Guiding Ethos

Το άρθρο ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO: RELEASE SIXTH JAZZ-ROCK ALBUM εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

Testament’s fourteenth album, the first with Chris Dovas on drums, showcases the powerful, aggressive guitar patterns and leads that have longed formed the backbone of their sound, enriched with melodies and catchy refrains that add a layer of accessibility. But “Para Bellum” is more than just a straightforward thrash record. Its core remains distinctly Testament, to be sure, but black and death metal influences are evident, shaping a soundscape that deviates from what the audience might have anticipated.

Bands of that caliber often experiment, but their efforts usually don’t hit the mark (sadly, there’s no shortage of such misfires). Testament, however, integrate extreme elements thoughtfully and with restraint, crafting a more brutal, heavier, and occasionally darker album, anchored by standout riffage. I don’t know what happened to Peterson, the principal songwriter – perhaps he felt he had more time and creative space to expand on ideas he’d previously explored in Dragonlord, his other project. And why shouldn’t someone attempt new things when they have the right people backing them?

Peterson and Skolnick excel, delivering dynamic, sharp riffs and solos – a true showcase of seasoned mastery. Chris Dovas locks in tightly with the band, channeling his energy through relentless blast beats and aggressive patterns, all while complementing Peterson’s extremities with occasional touches of modern flair. Testament’s rhythm section is as solid as a bedrock, thanks to DiGiorgio, whose technical prowess adds depth and intensity to the compositions. And with the timeless Chuck Billy, who sings in any shade of growl and level of harshness you want, you can play thrash, death, and heavy metal alike. Hearing this gentle giant in action is, as always, a thrill.

The album kicks off impressively with a bang – the fierce “For the Love of Pain” immediately sets the tone. Its blackened yet melodic textures, shifting tempos, and dual vocals from Billy and Peterson (whose black metal shrieks add a chilling edge) grab your attention instantly. These features unfold organically throughout the record, never feeling forced, elevating its overall quality. In “Shadow People” and “High Noon”, the band shift gears, offering a different mood and sonic palette; here, they tap into that familiar groove and thunderous heaviness longtime fans will instantly recognize.

In contrast, pure thrash dominates the more straightforward songs (e.g., “Infanticide A.I.”, where drumming is absolutely devastating), offering plenty of excitement with a dynamic, tight sound. Meanwhile, “Nature of the Beast” and “Room 117” slow things down, leaning into a heavy metal vibe that doesn’t quite align with the rest of the album. That’s not to say these songs are bad (in fact, the opening riff of “Room 117” is quite addictive); they just don’t fully represent the standout moments of “Para Bellum”.

“Meant to Be” deserves special mention – a sentimental and potent ballad, elevated by Chuck Billy’s deeply expressive and commanding performance. Amidst the album’s aggression and brutality, it offers a pleasant interval of calm and stands out as a rare instance of serenity from Testament. However, some weak moments keep the song from truly soaring. Still, I appreciated the composition, as it opens the door to new territory.

I’d say the closing, self-titled track serves as a fitting encapsulation of Testament’s essence. It weaves together the band’s various facets through a layered structure, delivering a well-balanced blend of aggression, intricate riffing and bass work (DiGiorgio rules!), and touches of melody (but mostly aggression!).

All the points mentioned above indicate the varied twists and turns within “Para Bellum”. Hence, some listeners might question its consistency. Yet had the album rigidly followed a certain direction, we’d likely be criticizing it for being too uniform. I’m implying that, as fans, we often don’t quite know what we truly want. In the end, each listener will gravitate toward the aspects of “Para Bellum” that resonate most with their personal taste.

In any case, the album -despite its peculiarities- aligns seamlessly with Testament’s spirit and current vision. At that age, the band showed a clear drive to experiment and evolve – and they did so with creativity and technical prowess, aided by a production team that amplified their signature heaviness and groove. I don’t care to rank “Para Bellum” within Testament’s discography – I don’t find any meaning in that. What matters is that it entertains, and for me, that counts a lot.

♦ 8/10

Alex Nikolaidis

Το άρθρο TESTAMENT – “PARA BELLUM” (2025, NUCLEAR BLAST) εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

TESTAMENT deliver one of their most intense songs they’ve written to date, “Infanticide A.I.” Lead by the blinding speed of their new drummer Chris Dovas, the band shows off its musical talent far beyond their expected norms. Watch the music video for “Infanticide A.I.”, directed by Joey Durango, below.

TESTAMENT singer Chuck Billy comments: “The new album ‘Para Bellum’ consists of some fast, heavy and melodic tunes. Once again [TESTAMENT guitarist Eric] Peterson has found a way to keep the song writing fresh and modern sounding. It’s gonna be hard to choose what songs to play live cause to many to choose from.”

Peterson states: “It’s been five years since our last record ‘Titans Of Creation’ was released. Since then, we all waited to get back to it and we all did in a big way! Now our long over due new record ‘Para Bellum’ is upon us and about to be released in October. We are super stoked and excited to release new blood and fury to you all! With our first single ‘Infanticide A.I.’ we’re coming out swinging! But with new velocities of fury, while maintaining a balance that we all love and know from a TESTAMENT track. Enjoy!”

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”. 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 TESTAMENT’s 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’s 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 A.I.-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!

“Para Bellum” track listing:

01. For The Love Of Pain
02. Infanticide A.I.
03. Shadow People
04. Meant To Be
05. High Noon
06. Witch Hunt
07. Nature Of The Beast
08. Room 117
09. Havana Syndrome
10. Para Bellum

Το άρθρο TESTAMENT: ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM (“PARA BELLUM”), NEW MUSIC VIDEO RELEASED εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.