Testament "The Ritual (USA, Atlantic Records, 7657-82392-2)"

The Ritual is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Testament, released in 1992 by Atlantic Records. It was their last studio album to feature drummer Louie Clemente and guitarist Alex Skolnick, until the latter rejoined the band in 2005. It was also their first album to be released and distributed only by Atlantic, whereas Testament's previous four albums were co-released by Megaforce Records.

The Ritual was recorded throughout 1991 and early 1992 at One on One Recording in Los Angeles under producer Tony Platt, with six to seven months spent writing, followed by six weeks of recording. Given their time off from touring, after having completed the tour for Souls of Black as early as the spring of 1991, this was Testament's first studio album not to be released a year after their previous one, as guitarist Eric Peterson noted, "By the end of the [Souls of Black] tour, we were exhausted. We had been doing so much touring and we needed to write a new record. So we went back home and started working on The Ritual." In a 1992 interview with the Deseret News, drummer Louie Clemente noted that, with Platt's involvement in the production, the band had more time to work on the album compared to their limited previous experience in recording studios: "We took the longest time to produce The Ritual. It was a much-needed change. It got to a time when we were pumping out a record every year", and added that the band "needed to slow down" and "needed to chill", following the hurried production of Souls of Black.

On The Ritual, Testament began exploring a slower and more melodic approach while still maintaining their thrash roots. Certain songs on the album, including the title track (the longest song they had recorded at the time) and "Return to Serenity", also see the band continuing to explore a technical and progressive vein that was used on Practice What You Preach and Souls of Black. Clemente has also acknowledged the musical change compared to their previous albums, explaining to Deseret News: "The Ritual is slower and geared toward the old style of metal while The Legacy was pure thrash. In fact, every release has been different. We've progressed naturally." He also stated that Platt's production role within the album helped Testament "get more of a vibe" and "a fresh set of ears to listen to the mix."

In support of The Ritual, Testament toured for over a year with bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, White Zombie, Corrosion of Conformity, Pro-Pain, D.R.I., Green Jellÿ, Body Count and GWAR. By the end of 1992, during the middle of the tour, guitarist Alex Skolnick had decided to leave the band, with Clemente following suit. Several lineup changes took place before guitarist James Murphy and drummer John Tempesta were hired for the band's next album Low.

The album was a minor success, reaching No. 55 on the American Billboard 200. This would be Testament's highest position in their career, until 2012's Dark Roots of Earth, which reached No. 12 on the same chart. The record also spawned the band's only charting single "Return to Serenity", which reached No. 22 on Mainstream Rock Tracks. By June 2007, The Ritual had sold 485,000 copies in the United States.

Track listing

1. "Signs of Chaos" (instrumental) Alex Skolnick 0:30
2. "Electric Crown" Chuck Billy, Eric Peterson, Skolnick 5:31
3. "So Many Lies" Billy, Del James, Peterson, Skolnick 6:04
4. "Let Go of My World" Billy, James, Peterson 3:45
5. "The Ritual" Billy, James, Peterson, Skolnick 7:34
6. "Deadline" Billy, Skolnick 4:47
7. "As the Seasons Grey" Billy, James, Peterson, Skolnick 6:16
8. "Agony" Billy, James, Peterson 4:07
9. "The Sermon" Billy, James, Peterson 4:48
10. "Return to Serenity" Billy, James, Peterson 6:25
11. "Troubled Dreams" Billy, James, Peterson, Skolnick 5:14

Total length: 54:24

Recording information:

Recorded at One on One Recording, Los Angeles.

Mixed at Battery Studios, London.

Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York, New York, USA.

Arranged by Testament

Produced and recorded by Tony Platt

Mixed by Nigel Green at Battery Studios

Assistant mixing engineer: Sarah Bedingham

Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound

"Signs of Chaos", "Electric Crown", and "Deadline" published by COTLOD Music/Zomba Enterprises, Inc. All other songs published by COTLOD Music/Zomba Enterprises, Inc./Mamatoneck Music/Virgin Songs, Inc.

Album cover artwork by William Benson