Frank Zappa and Blur get the deluxe reissues they deserve, Dhani Harrison keeps the Beatles legacy alive, Testament survives to fight another day, and more.
Given the ups and downs of Testament’s fortunes in recent years, a positive trend (highlighted by singer Chuck Billy’s surviving cancer) means it’s appropriate that survival and self-determination are the major themes of their tenth album. Billy doesn’t sound any less fearsome, and a few midtempo, melody-driven tracks do no harm. Here’s proof that thrash metal can be just as appropriate for middle-aged recharging as for teenage angst.
