In many ways Dark Roots of Earth is the true Testament comeback disc. It is what so many of us wanted 2008‘s The Formation of Damnation to be — and a lot more. Simply put, this disc is a monster; one that utilizes not only the group’s core strengths but also plays to the attributes of reunited members Alex Skolnick and Gene Hoglan.

Looking back on things, Testament stood out from the rest of the thrashing masses for a few reasons; a melodic sensibility — not heard in, say, Exodus or other bands — not being the least of them. If that sensibility was a bonus in the 1980s, it’s a defining attribute in 2012, when melody is all but devoid from the majority of metal bands.

After listening to the disc at least ten times, it’s become increasingly difficult to not throw around empty adjectives and superlatives. It is that good.

The opening four cuts create a whole that competes with just about any heavy metal released over the past five years. Let’s look at them individually.

The opener, “Rise Up” is a call-to-arms with Chuck Billy displaying his trademark rumble. He’s so guttural he can affect your bathroom habits for a week. Just as importantly, it’s immediately evident that Skolnick and Eric Peterson are playing like a team of equals (until the solos kick in, naturally. More on that in a bit).

“Native Blood” draws its theme from Billy’s Indian lineage and it’s obvious to hear the personal investment he puts into the tune. It is also the first of two songs in which Hoglan employs blast beats. There was a minor Internet chatter about this. It’s not overdone or used as a gimmick in either instance. Plus, he’s such a good drummer we know we’ll hear so much more throughout the disc.

The title track is an absolute monster, from it’s awesome opening theme to the gradual momentum it picks up. Again, standout from Billy. Skolnick and Peterson are all over this song, creating a skull-crushing tandem. Skolnick also pulls a mesmerizing guitar solo, which he seems to do pretty easily throughout the disc. You would never know that this is a guy who substantial time away from the band to study and perform jazz. We don’t have many guitar heroes anymore. Skolnick is a legitimate guitar hero.

The other blast beats come with “True American Hate,” which obviously has a  pretty controversial title. But it’s refreshing to see where Billy is coming from with this.  He also looked at a similar theme on “The Formation of Damnation.”

It’s tough to say things drop off after this but they at least come back to earth. “A Day in the Death” may be the first tune to have you checking its running time. Thankfully, it’s followed by “Cold Embrace,” the kind of slow to mid-tempo (i.e. melodic) tune that Testament so easily excels at. Naturally it’s followed by a bruiser in “Man Kills Mankind” (yes, the band’s apocalyptic vision is still pretty much omnipresent).

The Testament legions have known the band can absolutely own a cover song ever since Aerosmith’s “Nobody’s Fault” became an absolute highlight of 1988’s The New Order. Here we get a whole mini-set of covers in the form of bonus material. Queen (“Dragon Attack”), The Scorpions (“Animal Magnetism”) and Iron Maiden (“Powerslave”) all get the Testament treatment. Far be it for me to choose the best. “Dragon Attack” is definitely the most changed. “Powerslave” is played pretty close to the sleeve.

Dark Roots of Earth is also a reminder that Testament truly deserved the be the fourth in the Big 4. Then again the Big 4 is a pretty stupid moniker that very few veterans remember using back in the day. Expect this disc on many of best of year lists. To my ears, only the latest Lamb of God disc comes close.

Label: Nuclear Blast (The audio CD can be purchased here)