Who Decides: Best Comeback Album

Ok first off it's been about a month since my last post, my bad. I have been busy with work and two beautiful kids, but I am not complaining. I love spending time with them.

So back to the topic at hand. I have mentioned that there are a ton of great albums this year and doing a top 10 is going to be difficult. I have it down to 12, but that is without a few other albums that are still to come. So to make sure I highlight some of the ones that won't make the top 10, I am giving you some categories just for fun.

So first category is the Best Comeback Album of the Year. now most would give this to Metallica, but seriously they didn't go anywhere. I liked all of the Load albums and St. Anger had its moments...so they are out of the running. This might have gone to Guns N Roses, but I will believe that one when I see it. Seriously, I have been waiting for that album since I was in high school...HIGH SCHOOL!

So who is it? How about Testament's The Formation of Damnation? Yes, this is a definite comeback album because Testament was left for dead a few years ago. In fact the last album with original material was 1999's The Gathering. They went in the studio in 2001 and re-recorded some songs from their first 2 albums and it seemed like a new album was around the corner. Well, line-up changes and a death scare for their lead singer and the album was pushed back. Then the infamous reunited/reunion tour which lead to a live album. And then all of sudden word that a new album with most of the original members was announced.


So would we get an album like Low or The Gathering or would it be a more mainstream album like The Ritual? Well this album is more in tune with Low...which is great because that's my favorite album. Chuck Billy doesn't use his growls as much as he did on The Gathering, but they are there. He has that perfect mix of rough and classic metal singing that was present on First Strike Still Deadly. As for the music, don't worry about another The Ritual (slower/more melodic) this thing is fast as...well you know. The guitar work is awesome as well. Some were worried about Alex returning to the band because of his solo work was very jazz/pop oriented. Well he must have missed playing the fast stuff because he slays. Check out F.E.A.R. he worte the entire song...classic Testament. Along with Eric Peterson, they combine to show these new kid guitarists just how it's done.

There really isn't any filler on this album. It is top notch Bay Area Thrash. My favorite songs; More Than Meets The Eye (great guitar work), The Evil Has Landed, The Persecuted Won't Forget, Henchmen Ride, Afterlife, F.E.A.R.