TESTAMENT / The New Order (1988)

Testament took sizeable creative steps on their second album but lost none of the power that had made their début so damn good. It's a prime example of the kind of heavy, melodic Thrash that was doing the rounds back then. But there was more mediocre Thrash bands in the late 80s than Disney had stereotypes, and while the output from many of them sounded like little more than surplus variations on a theme, Testament had Chuck Billy and that made all the difference. So what if it had an Aerosmith cover? They somehow made it work in their favour.

Songs of Note: Into the Pit; Disciples of the Watch

4 trials by fire out of 5

TESTAMENT / The Legacy (1987)

I've never understood why The Legacy album didn't achieve the same attentions critically as early Metallica and Megadeth releases did. It's certainly got the power and the technical proficiency to keep it in the best of 80s Thrash lists. The sound is a mix of early Metallica and Exodus, what's now the classic Bay Area Thrash sound. The production could be better but the enthusiasm and the urgency with which its delivered is faultless. Testament matured and changed on subsequent albums, but they never bettered it for pure in-your-face entertainment.

Songs of Note: Over The Wall; Burnt Offerings

4 shadow plays of grief and pain out of 5