Words Caine Blackthorn
What’s happening:
Legendary Bay Area thrashers Testament have returned with their first new music in five years. Their latest assault, “Infanticide A.I.”, slams in as the lead single from their upcoming fourteenth studio album, Para Bellum, due October 10 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Why it matters
This isn’t nostalgia for the sake of it, the track roars with fresh, blinding speed, powered by new drummer Chris Dovas, and delivers the modern fury the band promises while still bearing that trademark riff driven aggression.
Band’s own words
Eric Peterson says it’s been five years since Titans of Creation, and with Infanticide A.I., they’re “coming out swinging” with fresh blood and fury. Chuck Billy describes the album as “fast, heavy and melodic,” praising Peterson’s ability to keep the songwriting feeling both fresh and unmistakably Testament.
What’s on the horizon
Para Bellum which is Latin for “If you want peace, prepare for war,” unfolds as a battle cry for modern times, reflecting on tech driven disconnection and humanity’s uneasy alliance with our own weapons. It promises a cohesive, urgent, and unflinchingly human ride. The album tracklist delivers ten punches.
Where we sit
This is Testament renouncing safe ground. They’re not just surviving, they’re tearing back in with precision, spite, and purpose. If you’re still chasing that real metal instinct, Infanticide A.I. is your fix.
Para Bellum is now available for pre-order in the following formats:
CD Jewel, 20 pg Booklet
Gold Cassette (Band/King’s Road Exclusive – Limited)
2 LP Gatefold, 16 pg Booklet
Yellow, Black & Brown Splatter (Band/King’s Road Exclusive – Limited)
Copper (Mass Market Retail (US/EU))
Bone & Brown Marbled (NB Europe Exclusive)
Black and Orange Swirl + Splatter (NB Europe Exclusive)
Orange & Black Swirl (NB U.S. Exclusive)
Para Bellum T-shirt
Para Bellum Tracklisting
1. For the Love of Pain
2. Infanticide A.I.
3. Shadow People
4. Meant to Be
5. High Noon
6. Witch Hunt
7. Nature of the Beast
8. Room 117
9. Havana Syndrome
10. Para Bellum
TESTAMENT is:
Chuck Billy | Vocals
Eric Peterson | Guitar
Alex Skolnick | Guitar
Steve DiGiorgio | Bass
Chris Dovas | Drums
TESTAMENT live dates: Get your tickets here:
Latin America Tour
08.21.2025 BR Brasília @ Toinha Brasil Show
08.23.2025 BR Rio De Janeiro @ Circo Voador
08.24.2025 BR São Paulo @ Carioca Club
US Festivals
09.21.2025 US Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life 2025
10.03.2025 US Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock 2025
European Tour
10.05.2025 DE Hannover @ Capitol
10.07.2025 UK Bristol @ Beacon
10.08.2025 UK Birmingham @ O2 Academy Birmingham
10.09.2025 IE Dublin @ Olympia Theatre
10.10.2025 UK Manchester @ Manchester Academy
10.11.2025 UK London @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
10.12.2025 BE Antwerp @ Trix
10.13.2025 DE Stuttgart @ LKA Longhorn
10.14.2025 DE Hamburg @ Große Freiheit 36
10.16.2025 CH Pratteln @ Z7 Konzertfabrik
10.17.2025 DE Wiesbaden @ Schlachthof
10.18.2025 IT Milan @ Live Club
10.19.2025 DE Saarbruecken @ Garage
10.21.2025 SI Ljubljana @ Media Center
10.22.2025 AT Vienna @ Arena
10.23.2025 PL Wroclaw @ A2
10.24.2025 DE Munich @ TonHalle
10.25.2025 DE Oberhausen @ Turbinenhalle
10.26.2025 NL Utrecht @ Tivoli Vredenburg – Ronda
Testament Online:
