Bay Area thrash metal titans TESTAMENT are back with a vengeance! The legendary band has officially announced their highly anticipated fourteenth studio album, “Para Bellum,” set to drop on October 10th via Nuclear Blast Records. This isn’t just an album; it’s being hailed as both a battle cry and a profound observation on humanity’s complex relationship with its own technological creations.
A Reflection of Modern Chaos “Para Bellum” promises to be a reflection of modern chaos, with TESTAMENT delivering music that is urgent, sharp, and unflinchingly human. The album delves into themes of accelerating technology and growing disconnection. According to Chuck Billy, the new album features “some fast, heavy and melodic tunes,” noting that Eric Peterson has once again managed to keep the songwriting “fresh and modern sounding”. Eric Peterson himself states, “It’s been 5 years since our last record Titans Of Creation was released. Since then, we all waited to get back to it and we all did in a big way!” He added that the band is “super stoked and excited to release new blood and fury to you all!”.
‘Infanticide A.I.’ – A Blindingly Fast Attack To give fans a taste of what’s to come, TESTAMENT has unleashed ‘Infanticide A.I.’, one of their most intense songs to date. This track showcases the blinding speed of their new drummer, Chris Dovas, pushing the band’s musical talent “far beyond their expected norms”. The music video for ‘Infanticide A.I.’ was directed by Joey Durango and is available to watch and stream now. Eric Peterson describes the single as “coming out swinging! But with new velocities of fury, while maintaining a balance that we all love and know from a Testament track”.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtw3lcQvyPU[/embedyt]
‘Para Bellum’ Tracklisting: The new album features ten pulverizing tracks:
- For the Love of Pain
- Infanticide A.I.
- Shadow People
- Meant to Be
- High Noon
- Witch Hunt
- Nature of the Beast
- Room 117
- Havana Syndrome
- Para Bellum
Production and Artwork: “Para Bellum” was recorded with Juan Urteaga, mixed by Jens Bogren, and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios. The result is an “extremely polished and operating at full throttle” album. The band once again collaborated with the acclaimed artist Eliran Kantor for the album artwork. In an era increasingly filled with AI-generated imagery, Kantor’s hand-painted creation stands out, encapsulating the album’s essence: a serene angel made of missiles, with an explosion as its halo, surrounded by shovel-bearing cultists with books strapped to their faces. This visually striking artwork truly embodies the album’s themes. From start to finish, “Para Bellum” is described as “an album by warriors—crafted in chaos, and built to outlast the wars to come!”.
Pre-Order and Formats: Fans can pre-order or pre-save “Para Bellum” now in various formats, including CD Jewel with a 20-page booklet, Gold Cassette (limited band/King’s Road exclusive), and multiple 2 LP Gatefold vinyl editions. Vinyl options include Yellow, Black & Brown Splatter (limited band/King’s Road exclusive), Copper (mass market retail), Bone & Brown Marbled (NB Europe exclusive), Black and Orange Swirl + Splatter (NB Europe exclusive), and Orange & Black Swirl (NB U.S. exclusive). A “Para Bellum” T-shirt is also available.
Catch TESTAMENT Live! To support the new release, TESTAMENT has announced an extensive run of live dates, including a Latin America Tour, US Festivals, and a European Tour. Mark your calendars!
- Latin America Tour:
- August 21, 2025: Brasília, BR @ Toinha Brasil Show
- August 23, 2025: Rio De Janeiro, BR @ Circo Voador
- August 24, 2025: São Paulo, BR @ Carioca Club
- US Festivals:
- September 21, 2025: Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life 2025
- October 3, 2025: Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock 2025
- European Tour:
- October 5, 2025: Hannover, DE @ Capitol
- October 7, 2025: Bristol, UK @ Beacon
- October 8, 2025: Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy Birmingham
- October 9, 2025: Dublin, IE @ Olympia Theatre
- October 10, 2025: Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy
- October 11, 2025: London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
- October 12, 2025: Antwerp, BE @ Trix
- October 13, 2025: Stuttgart, DE @ LKA Longhorn
- October 14, 2025: Hamburg, DE @ Große Freiheit 36
- October 16, 2025: Pratteln, CH @ Z7 Konzertfabrik
- October 17, 2025: Wiesbaden, DE @ Schlachthof
- October 18, 2025: Milan, IT @ Live Club
- October 19, 2025: Saarbruecken, DE @ Garage
- October 21, 2025: Ljubljana, SI @ Media Center
- October 22, 2025: Vienna, AT @ Arena
- October 23, 2025: Wroclaw, PL @ A2
- October 24, 2025: Munich, DE @ TonHalle
- October 25, 2025: Oberhausen, DE @ Turbinenhalle
- October 26, 2025: Utrecht, NL @ Tivoli Vredenburg – Ronda
Get ready, metalheads! “Para Bellum” is poised to be another cornerstone in TESTAMENT’s legendary career. Don’t miss out!
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