Testament - 'Return To The Apocalyptic City' (Atlantic)
Mike Reed | USA | 02/28/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Some fans would say that this isn't EVEN Testament anymore, with guitarist Alex Skolnick and drummer Louie Clemente having jumped ship. If anything, I thought by THIS point, the thrash band had maybe become more commercial. Plus at the same time had remained loyal to their long time fans. By today's standards, 'Return...' of course is an EP, with six cuts and a duration of thirty minutes. It's still decent, at least I thought so. Liked reliving the mosh goodies like "So Many Lies", "Disciples Of The Watch", "Haunting" and the semi-main streamish "Return To Serenity". Give this disc a shot. You might like it."
Little note about Return to Serenity
Hsin Hau Hanna | Paris, France | 01/08/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Great CD, but just take note that Return to Serenity on this CD is a shorter, edited version, missing the original intro and also half of the original mind-blowing guitar solo."
Who knew?
crag | Santa Cruz, California, USA | 05/21/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I don't remember how I got this album, but I don't think I knew what I was getting into. I sure am glad I did though. I usually don't like live albums, and I hadn't even heard of Testament when I got this, except for "Return to Serenity". From my first listen to every listen since (and it's been about 6 years now) I get wrapped up in the excitement and energy of the performances.The first four songs are live. The quality of the recording is good. There's a lot of depth to the sound, and all the instruments come through well. You can also understand the lyrics.A lot of bands can rip it up in the studio, but when they get on stage they can't keep up with their own music. Not so with Testament. They execute each song with precision and grace.The last two songs, recorded in the studio, are also very good. "Return To Serenity" is extremely mellow by comparison, but is hauntingly large sounding like a huge cavarn.My only criticism of this album might be that it's too short and seems like it was put together as an afterthought. Even so, I still put it in the CD player six years after I first got it."
Killer Live EP
Ronald Placeres | Miami, Florida | 04/20/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Testament is one of the best thrash bands that has ever existed and this is one of those releases that proves it. This is accually the first Testament release I ever brought. I brought this back in 1994 as part of a cassett clearance at an old Camelot Music store. I was never dissapointed. This is actually a live EP of 6 songs. Every song here is played live except Return To Serenity which is a different version from the version on The Ritual. No matter how you look at it, it really doesn't matter. The whole album rules and the production and sound is just awesome. 2 of the tracks this stand out in my mind the most are Diciples Of The Watch and Reign Of Terror, Reign Of Terror being my favorite. Get this EP if you're a true fan of thrash. You won't be dissapointed."