Para Bellum Review

Band	Testament
Album	Para Bellum
Type	Album (Studio full-length)
Released	October 10, 2025
Genres	Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal
Labels	Nuclear Blast Records
Length	50:24

Reviewer :  prixmypouts         Rating :  90 / 100

Overall, “Para Bellum” sounds like an explosive mix of some of the most characteristic moments of TESTAMENT’s career, the weight and momentum of “The Gathering”, the melodic but sharp approach of “The Ritual” and the straightforward Thrash energy of “Practice What You Preach”, all wrapped under the dark veil of Black Metal influences. On one side we find aggressive compositions such as “For the Love of Pain”, “Infanticide A.I.”, “Witch Hunt” and “High Noon”, the latter very reminiscent of the “The Gathering” era, which are balanced and ideally combined with more mid-tempo and atmospheric, melodic songs such as “Nature of the Beast”, “Havana Syndrome” and “Room 117”.
With “Para Bellum”, TESTAMENT prove once again that experience does not mean stagnation, but a force for renewal and remind us why they remain a foundation of the Thrash Metal scene after four decades. Incorporating Black Metal elements and fresh energy, without abandoning their hard Thrash DNA, they manage to show once again that in recent years they have remained dominant in the Thrash Metal scene. “Para Bellum” does not only function as a continuation of their glorious path, but also as a reminder that TESTAMENT still has much to offer, with the same momentum that they started four decades ago. “Para Bellum” is not just another TESTAMENT album but a resounding statement of faith and a reminder that true Thrash never dies.