For nearly four decades, Testament have defined what it means to be battle-hardened in thrash metal. The Bay Area giants have returned with their fourteenth studio album, Para Bellum. The record that takes its name from the Latin phrase “Si vis pacem, para bellum,” meaning “If you want peace, prepare for war.” It’s a fitting title for an album that channels both urgency and reflection, tackling a world where technology, chaos, and disconnection have become the new front lines.

Led by founding guitarist Eric Peterson and vocalist Chuck Billy, Testament continue to evolve without surrendering their identity. Para Bellum moves through moods and tempos with surgical precision, each track distinct yet part of a unified onslaught. From the creeping menace of “Shadow People” to the machine-gun fury of “Infanticide A.I.,” the band explores everything from apocalyptic myth to modern unease. “Who’s the fastest?” Billy laughs. “It sounds like there is about to be a draw.” His performance is as diverse as it is fierce, shifting from guttural rage to ghostly calm in perfect sync with the album’s volatile tone.

The album also marks a rare moment in Testament history - a ballad. “Meant To Be” brings melody and emotional gravity, complete with orchestral strings performed by world-renowned cellist Dave Eggar. “It’s different, but it fits,” says Peterson. “It’s like a breath of fresh air.”

New drummer Chris Dovas proves to be a revelation. His speed, precision, and creativity drive the album’s pulse, working hand in hand with Peterson throughout the writing process to inject a modern edge. “Eric and I have a lot of similar influences,” says Dovas. “We worked really closely on this album and had a great time.” Peterson’s black metal leanings surface more than ever, particularly in the shadowy atmospheres of “For the Love of Pain” and “Infanticide A.I.”

Guitarist Alex Skolnick remains a force of versatility. “This album captures many different sides of the band through the years, along with some fresh new sounds,” he says. Bassist Steve DiGiorgio, one of the genre’s most innovative low-end players, locks in with Dovas’ drumming to form a rhythm section both thunderous and agile.

Produced by Juan Urteaga and mixed by Jens Bogren, Para Bellum is powerful, polished, and relentless. Eliran Kantor’s cover art, an angel made of missiles and an explosion turned halo, reflects the album’s central theme: blind faith, destruction, and the beauty within the chaos.