The Formation of Damnation
| The Formation of Damnation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Testament | ||||
| Released | April 29, 2008 | |||
| Recorded | 2007–2008 | |||
| Studio | Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California | |||
| Genre | Thrash metal | |||
| Length | 49:29 | |||
| Label | Nuclear Blast | |||
| Producer | Eric Peterson, Chuck Billy | |||
| Testament chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| About.com |   |
| Allmusic |  |
| Blabbermouth.net | 9/10 |
| IGN | 8.4/10 |
| Sputnikmusic | 4/5 |
The Formation of Damnation is the ninth studio album by American thrash metal band Testament, released on April 29, 2008. It was Testament's first album since 2001's First Strike Still Deadly, and their first of new material since 1999's The Gathering. It was also Testament's first release with original guitarist Alex Skolnick since 1992's The Ritual and bassist Greg Christian since 1994's Low. This was also the band's only studio album recorded with drummer Paul Bostaph, who joined Testament in 1993, but became a full-time member in 2007 before leaving the band four years later.
The follow-up to The Gathering was first mentioned in 2002 and was originally scheduled for release in early 2004, but was not completed yet. Due to the band's touring schedule and line-up changes, the album was put on hold for a number of years before being completed in 2007/2008.
Testament first mentioned their follow-up to The Gathering in May 2002, stating that guitarist Eric Peterson was busy writing new material for the album that would take "little more time since The Gathering" and be "a challenging act to follow". It was also confirmed that the album would be brutal "with a lot of dual lead trade-offs between guitarists Peterson and (then-guitarist) Steve Smyth."
On February 15, 2004, it was announced that drummer Paul Bostaph, a former member of Forbidden and Slayer, would join the band to record the album. It was also announced that the band was planning on entering the studio in April/May, with an intended release date of late 2004. The band posted a long update about progress on the album in October 2004. It was revealed that Peterson recovered from a triple fracture and leg surgery and was able to travel and work with the band again.
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