After two generally well received albums from the metal community, Pestilence embarked on a phase of experimentation and exploration. Testimony of the Ancients moves away from the band's original formula of its aggressive death metal attack, letting their songwriting breathe with melodic riffs, catchy timing while creating a sinister atmosphere similar to Morbid Angel's Blessed Are the Sick.

It is strange indeed though not impossible that somehow these two bands may have crossed-paths and exchanged notes on their newfound styles. Both Blessed and Testimony share many common elements, rather sludgy riffing and drumming while displaying some fine lead guitar qualities and extreme vocals that present an undertone of clarity. Both albums also share a mouthful albeit annoying at times amount of interludes, which I believe should be used in moderation. Pestilence simply overabused the amount of interludes for Testimony having one interlude in between every song, whichever way you approach this album the results are almost invariably the same - program the cd player to skip the interludes!

Skipping over any annoyances, the core of this album is an indulgence in quality death metal, a commodity for these times. Testimony of the Ancients focuses on progressive arrangement all beautifully crafted under sleek high budget sleek production. Everything stands out from the chaotic drumming to fast and infectiously sludgy riffs. The solos stand on their own, such as on "Twisted Truth" where the shredding sounds as if you're travelling through the universe.

Other choice cuts include Prophetic Revelations with its tempo shifts from a stoned sounding chugg reminiscent of the late Dimebag Darrell to tight fast-paced riffs and crushing drumming, the steady headbanger "Presence of the Death" with its stop-n-go drumming and "Lost Souls" with its moshing feel and schizophrenic soloing.

If you have experienced the greatness of Blessed Are the Sick this album will quench your thirst for a follow-up in the a similar vein. This album also serves as a good introduction to quality old school death metal that is more than another slab of guttural vocals.

This album was recently re-released as a 2 in 1 package by Roadrunner Records, it also includes Pestilence's "Consuming Impulse" each on a separate disc.