Review by Adam M on September 28, 2015.

This is an instrumental album that equally straddles the post-metal climate of bands like Pelican as it does black metal instrumental work. The resulting album is one that has a lot of variety and a huge amount of power.

The variation between folk and black metal moments really gives Tempel a strong raison d’etre. The cascading riffs are constantly enveloping on the release and demand repeated listens. Finding a highlight is difficult, but the track Tomb of the Ancients certainly has the right stuff to separate itself from the pack. It is perhaps this track that recalls the likes of Pelican the most with its oceanic type grooves. This is followed by Dawn Breaks Over the Ruins which is an effective and enamoring closing track. Often the gyrations of waves from oceans are the best way to describe the music that is at play here. There is a lot of energy on display on this work and it is given off during the length of each track. To add to the energy is the size of the riffs. They are absolutely gargantuan and add an element of imposing strength to the proceedings. The problem with some bands like Scale the Summit and Animal is Leaders is this inability to bring in riffs that completely rule over the rest of the work. This is why I believe Tempel is slightly more successful than either of those acts. The massive guitar riffs take center stage over the bass, for example. It also makes up for the fact that there are no vocals.

The weightiness of the music on offer here is absolutely huge. The beginning of the album might not be as strong as the end of it, but overall the material is of a very high quality. Any fans of instrumental music, post music, folk or black metal should find something to like here.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by JD on March 31, 2011.

Since hearing their first album called "The Legacy" way back in high school, I have been a major fan of Testament. They still are one of only a few bands who actually plays true Thrash Metal even today. They were one of the originals in the genre, and they still continually deliver the goods. One listen to this album, and that just might be confirmed.

San Francisco based legends Testament have been one of only a few bands that have stayed the course over the years, and kept true to their metal foundation. Now so many years since they started, they still bring the power and passion and the sheer talent that most ‘new’ metal lacks on so many levels. Chuck Billy and company are still one of the true originals in metaldom, and
this album clearly makes that known.

With nine metallic gems to choose from, it is hard to point out one or two to gush about - so I will just say that every one is a new Thrash classic, while having a slight turn to how it is presented so as to have it become fresh and strong. Songs like the explosive 'More Than Meets The Eye' and the thrashing grinding cauldron of speed of 'Killing Season' shows that these men of
Testament are still the one to beat.

Say what you will, weather they might be musically out of date or something like that - I say to that screw the people who think like that! Testament is one of those bands who all others, should respect and look up to. They are one of the original Thrash bands that are left and they deserve to have the respect and admiration for what they have developed.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 10
Originality: 10
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.8 out of 10