TESTAMENT: The ritual [tape cassette 1992 second hand used] Top Thrash Heavy Metal. Check videos “Electric Crown”, “Return to Serenity”

Description

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The Ritual = Studio album by Testament
Released: May 12, 1992
Recorded: 1991-1992 at One On One Recording, Los Angeles, California, USA
Genre: Thrash metal, heavy metal
Length: 54:24
Label: Atlantic, Megaforce
Producer: Tony Platt

The Ritual is the fifth album released by American heavy metal band Testament in 1992. It was the last studio album to include drummer Louie Clemente. It was also guitarist Alex Skolnick last album until rejoining the band in 2005. On The Ritual, Testament began exploring slower, heavier territory for their music while still maintaining their thrash metal roots. The song, “”Electric Crown”” was featured as Rock Band downloadable content. “Electric Crown” might be the best Testament song ever; it’s easily in the top three, but I can see no circumstance under which I wouldn’t just think, fuck it, it’s the best Testament song ever and an incredible way to get an album started. It’s a perfect mix of Testament songwriting, thrash energy, and a more reasoned, mature sound. It’s just one of those perfect moments in metal history, and for that alone, we need to stop ignoring The Ritual, but even aside from this song, this album rules. Now, I’m extremely, painfully aware that this is a melodic Testament album and not to everyone’s liking.

The Ritual is a fantastic melodic thrash album. The trouble is it came out in ’92, and it isn’t that much of a stretch to think that Testament, desperately clinging to a changing musical landscape, were trying to get a bit of that Black Album love. And maybe they were. But the thing is, when Testament try to write great melodic thrash songs, they write great melodic thrash songs, and the album isn’t a dud, and it’s not boring, it’s just a great melodic thrash album.

Take, for example, the second song (well, third, if we’re counting actually-kinda-cool 30-second intro “Signs of Chaos,” a song just slightly better known than the greatest-hits collection with the same name that came out in 1997  “So Many Lies.” At the time, its mid-tempo groove and wildly catchy structure and vocal lines made us a bit nervous; years later, all you can really do is bask in its glory and admire what a great song it is.

Now, before we go any further, we should probably discuss the ballad, which is buried pretty deep in this album, placed at song 10 of 11. Here’s what we have to say about the ballad: “Return to Serenity” is awesome. Thrash ballads were a bit of a by-the-books exercise by this point, and Testament had the formula down pat, no doubt about it. But for all its strict adhering to the rules (see: “The Ballad,” “The Legacy”), “Return to Serenity” still totally rules. In a sense, “The Ballad” will always win out because it has Chuck Billy sitting pensive in a diner in the music video, yes, but as far as the songs themselves go, “Return to Serenity” is a home run of a thrash ballad.

But, man, there’s also the speedy “Let Go of My World,” the dirge-y title track (not a ballad, really), and the outrageously catchy “Deadline” putting together a cool mid-album trio of tunes; later there are songs you’ve absolutely forgotten about but are still legitimately great, like “The Sermon” (rules: how good were the band at writing memorable songs at this point? And can we talk about vocal lines? Let’s talk about Testament’s vocal lines: they are incredible on this album) and “Troubled Dreams” (also rules: this song ends this album with confidence, a heavy stomp that embraces the mid-tempo sounds that are universal across this disc, but injects them with some of the heaviest sonics on The Ritual, almost a promise, maybe an apology, definitely a good idea). “As the Seasons Grey” even has a fake-out fade-out ending, and we all love those, right?

One of the many things I love about Testament is the variety in their material; while it’s all thrash, some is of the near-Teutonic levels of blinders-on variety (the debut), elsewhere it’s ultra-heavy and modern (Demonic), classic ’80s (Practice What You Preach), or melodic and mid-tempo (this album). Where you spend the most time hanging out depends on what kind of thrasher you are. While I spend tons of time in the ’80s and getting Teutonic, when the mood strikes for mid-tempo and melodic, I’m blown away every time by the songs they crafted here.

All Songs written by Chuck Billy, Eric Peterson and Del James, except where noted.
“”Signs of Chaos”” (Alex Skolnick) – 0:30
“”Electric Crown”” (Billy, Peterson, Skolnick) – 5:31
“”So Many Lies”” (Billy, Peterson, Skolnick, James) – 6:04
“”Let Go of My World”” – 3:45
“”The Ritual”” (Billy, Peterson, Skolnick, James) – 7:34
“”Deadline”” (Billy, Skolnick) – 4:47
“”As the Seasons Grey”” (Billy, Peterson, Skolnick, James) – 6:16
“”Agony”” – 4:07
“”The Sermon”” – 4:48
“”Return to Serenity”” – 6:25
“”Troubled Dreams”” (Billy, Peterson, Skolnick, James) – 5:14

Chuck Billy: Vocals
Alex Skolnick: Lead Guitar
Eric Peterson: Lead Guitar
Greg Christian: Bass
Louie Clemente: Drums
Shawn Crosby – Additional Vocals (as stated in the liner notes of the album)

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the most commercial Testament release.,
Testament were one of many bands to emerge from the thrash scene of the San Francisco bay area in the 1980, and were probably the best. From humble beginnings in the form of the album ‘The Legacy’ they built up a reputation as a thrash to the max band. Luckily each subsequent album saw a more refined style come to the fray that by the time of the album sounded much more mature. This was largely down to the then lead guitarist, wonderkid Alex Skolnick who often jazzy lead breaks also gave Testament a highly individual sound. This album was dismissed by many as Testament selling out, the simple fact is that while the super high tempo numbers were gone, the band were still as heavy as an anvil but now had the melody to boot. ‘The Ritual’ was Testaments most developed and intricate work showing more texture and melodic sense than on any other album. The album is aided and abetted by Tony Platt full bodied production. Louie Clemente drums have more kick, the guitars throb and roar with a bloodthirsty crunch while Chuck Billy vocals sound full and bold. A great sounding record.
Generally Testament have come up with a bit of a gem with this album. Before its release the band took a years break to rethink and revitalise their style and it paid dividends. Comparisons at the time were drawn with Metallica and while Chuck Billy vocals are slightly similar to James Hetfield, what sets them apart is Lead Guitarist Alex Skolnick who has used his large vocabulary on the instrument to enlarge the possibilities of this genre with his effortless technique and burning sound, I can’t think of many guitarists in the metal genre that combine so many elements of modern rock playing in as fresh, clean and personal a style – a volcanic performance! Generally though all the performances are top notch with only one or two instances where the band fall back on familiar themes. But for the most part ‘The Ritual’ showcases a group who’ve taken their thrash foundations and built an impressive new structure upon them. This album could be considered a benchmark for Metal.

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5.0 out of 5 stars unbelievable album, my desert island disc !
this is an absolute must, not just for thrash fans, but fans of rock/metal music alike awesome riffs and probably the best guitar solo you will ever hear on return to serenity, you must check out this recording and buy it now, you will not be disappointed thats a promise !!

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The beginning of the 1990s was a very difficult time to play thrash metal. Death and black was coming into being from the hellish abyss, from the other side – grunge/alternative. So as many bands Testament stood at the cross-roads. After four pure thrash albums they decided to change their music a bit by adding some heavy metal/hard rock influences to song structures. I donât want to say it was a concious choice or not. The most important thing is: did Testament record a good album?

At the first sight – excellent front cover, but in this case Testament never disappointed. The first listening to “The Ritual†… and complete shock, not for me only, for the rest of fans too!!! Monstrous, coherent compositions with large intensification of melodies (not only riffs and guitar solos, but also Billyâs vocals). Generally, tempo of the songs was slow down (beside “Agonyâ€), what born a title song of the album, which was never played in that way by a thrash band before. The musicians had placed a good ballad (“Return To Serenityâ€), which became a hit in radio stations. Vocals of Chuck Billy notched up a masterful level. Alex Skolnick proved he is one of the best metal guitarist. A good production permitted to perceive an artistry of bass and drums works.

Except for an intro “Signs Of Chaos†which is, in fact, some nice chaotic lead by Skolnick, Testament prepared ten metal (!) songs from which several are really splendid compositions. The most known I think is “Electric Crown†with great riffs, very interesting guitar addings and two excellent guitar solos. And then, the next liveshow-killer entitled “So Many Liesâ€, after ultra heavy beginning (great guitars work and drum cavalcade) turns to majestic slow song with consecutive outstanding solo. But the real pearl is title track “The Ritualâ€. The longest one so far, complete something-new in Testamentâs output. It paralyzes by its own atmosphere, majesty, the skill of creating of the tension. And again – amazing Billy vocals, superb solo shows, excellent works of bass/drums. It is a perfect incidental music for example for Lovecraftâs story “The Shadow Over Innsmouthâ€. The last track I want to focus on is “As The Seasons Grey†– never played (I think) during official liveshows. Totally wonderful opening guitar lead with interesting drumwork turns to heavy, almost doom riff, after few seconds it becomes faster heavy thrash composition with extraordinary guitar solo which is something usual on this album.

To put it briefly, the band showed heavy thrash album, which was complete surprise for me and the rest of fans, but it is a great advantage. “The Ritual†is a masterpiece of metal music and I compare it to the best thrash metal albums ever “The Legacyâ€/â€The New Orderâ€. The sad thing is “The Ritual†is the last album with Alex Skolnick and his mighty and powerful guitars. Unfortunately, nobody was able to replace him worthily. Alex returned to his band to record some old songs (2001, “First Strike Still Deadly) but this is complete different story…