Dark Roots of Earth
Occupation
- Vocals: Chuck Billy
- Guitar, backing vocals Eric Peterson
- Guitar: Alex Skolnick
- E -Bass: Greg Christian
- Drums, Percussion: Gene Hoglan
Formation and style
The album was recorded in autumn and winter 2011 with Andy Sneap in Oakland, California and in Derby, England. Special emphasis on the massive drumming of Gene Hoglan, worked closely with the guitarist Eric Peterson - It was - similar to The Gathering. Inter alia Blast beats are used. Even when singing Chuck Billy oriented in parts at Death Metal -like, deep Shouting the later nineties (about True American Hate ).
When songwriting however, there are echoes of the classical phase of the late Eighties and The Ritual. The title song is about a half- ballad, which was vocally compared to The Ballad of Practice What You Preach. As a bonus track cover three pieces were recorded, among other things: Queens Dragon Attack, Animal Magnetism by Scorpions and Powerslave by Iron Maiden.
At first it was questionable whether Gene Hoglan due to other commitments could also play on the tour. However, this has now been confirmed.
Reception
The album was nominated in the magazine Rock Hard album of the month. Götz Kühnemund gave him eight out of ten.
Peter Ehmann of undergrounded.de called the album " the strongest testament album ever and a lesson for all thrash and heavy metal bands " and awarded was 9.5 out of 10