A survey of some of the greatest 80's metal albums would be worthless without this 1988 wonder. In close quarters with _Peace Sells_ and perhaps only reigned over by the ubiquitous _Master of Puppets_, _The New Order_ smokes them all by a nautical mile on chops and taste. Guitarist Alex Skolnick was so far advanced over any of his peers, technically and melodically, that he ended up floating over to fusion (someone asked what he was doing after Testament - check out Savatage _Handful of Rain_ and his fusion band Attention Deficit, also the jazz-oriented Alex Skolnick Trio). The album teems with incredible playing, at times eerie and atmospheric as it is technical and erudite. The gorgeous "Hypnosis", "Musical Death: A Dirge" and especially his playing on "Trial By Fire" - which alone could fill an entire volume on proper foundation for metal guitar theory - is simply unmistakable and beautiful. At the time, other than maybe Jason Becker and one or two other boys hiding in the Shrapnel metal stable, there was simply no one that was even CLOSE to being his peer, technically or artistically (well - maybe Hammett, but Skolnick still owns me to this day). Of course, this album wouldn't be important as it is if there wasnt an incredible band behind Skolnick, one of the best to ever lay claim to the mantle of thrash. Chuck Billy remains one of metal's best-kept secrets, posessing at once both terrifying range and demonic growls. Eric Petersen ably supports Skolnick's nimble arpeggios with excellent songwriting, compositional and sympathetic rhythm work, and bassist Greg Christian and rock-solid, never flashy Louie Clemente complete the lineup of the best metal band to never quite make it big. Boasting classic thrash-metal production from Alex Peralias, the band tears through terrific speed-metal numbers like "The Preacher", "Disciples of The Watch" and the bonadfide classic "Into The Pit" with a fury rarely seen at that time, or any other. A highlight which somehow, beyond belief, seemed to get left off of BOTH of the Testament "best of" compliations, is the fantastic Aerosmith cover "Nobody's Fault", and should be reason alone to get this album if your Testament collection is unthinkably lacking it. Perhaps owing to its brevity, but more due to its varied textures, idiosyncratic and complex songwriting, and strong performances, this is the very best album this incarnation of the band ever put out, vastly superior to the somewhat more melodic but less-consistent _Practice What You Preach_, _Souls of Black_ and swan song _The Ritual_. Mark these words: own this, and your record collection will bear the unmistakable stamp of a metal masterpiece.

When Testament released "The New Order" in 1988, they laid to rest the rumors that they might go through a sophomore slump. This album showed that Testament definitely didn't follow in the footsteps of some bands and use up all of their good material on their first album, thus leaving them strapped for ideas when the time comes to write/record their sophomore release. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think Testament held anything back for their debut; "The Legacy" was a great album. But Chuck, Greg, Louie, Eric, and Alex obviously didn't run out of ideas, because "The New Order" is another prime example of thrash excellence.

Chuck sometimes hits high notes (as in "The Preacher"), but he sounds best when he uses a low, gruff voice (which is most of the time). Louie's drumming is typically fast and talented, Eric anchors the songs with his rhythm guitar, and Greg's bass notes are occasionally audible, but (as is the case with "The Legacy," and most early Testament discs) lead axeman Alex Skolnick runs the show. I shouldn't even have to tell you (it should just be a given) that Skolnick is in fine form, here. After all, he didn't earn the title of being a "classic" for nothing. On almost every song here, Alex pulls out more than a fair share of hefty riffs and amp-shredding solos.

"Into The Pit" is one of my personal favorite Testament tunes, and it remains a concert favorite to this day (probably because Chuck has admitted the band wrote this song just to get the crowd moving). With a highly energetic beat, pounding, rapid drums, fast tempo changes, and a catchy shout-along chorus, "Into The Pit" is a timeless, top-shelf thrash song, and it's one of heavy metal's first ever mosh pit anthems..

The other nine songs are almost as great. "Eerie Inhabitants" opens the album with a pretty, spacey acoustic guitar intro, and segues into a stomping beat which is propelled by a blistering guitar lead. Also included is a lengthy (50 second), winding, melodic and very complex solo (is there any other kind of Skolnick solo?!) Track three, "Trial By Fire," has grinding, churning riffs and a wailing solo, making it probably the best song on this record for showcasing Skolnick's sheer talent. There are three other lost classics on here, including the speedy, bruising sixth track, "Disciples Of The Watch," which is backed by a thumping rhythm section and careening guitars. "Nobody's Fault" is a risky but well executed and fitting Aerosmith cover, and is highlighted by clean singing and some almost Hammett-style guitar work. And, lastly, the album concludes with "Musical Death." This is a mostly slow, completely instrumental song with beautiful acoustic plucking.

If you're a thrasher or metalhead, you shouldn't even be reading this review. Even though it's sound quality is a bit dated, and the album, as a whole, is less than forty minutes long, you should already know that "The New Order" is a classic. Essential listening? Absolutely!

Testament, with Alex Skolnick in the lineup, was the greatest metal band ever, IMHO. The New Order and Practice What You Preach are the metal equivalent of the Mona Lisa, great works that others have tried, but failed, to equal. If someone can come up with better chord progressions than Skolnick and Eric Peterson come up with in Trial By Fire and Disciples Of The Watch, I would like to know about it. Not that those are the only two great songs on the CD. I kid you not, there is not ONE bad song on this album. The thing that makes these to CD's so great is Testament's ability to play very fast but still keep a definate melodic flow to thier music, unlike a couple post-Skolnick efforts, Low and Demonic, that have little or no melodic flow to them. I am happy to report that thier latest effort, The Gathering, is a vast improvement on those previous two efforts. Though not up to Order or Preach quality, it is infinately more listenable than Low or Demonic.

Despite its disappointingly short length, this is an excellent piece of thrash metal. It's got fast, heavy riffs, plentiful melody, and solos that are out of this world. Alex Skolnick is one of the greatest guitarists I've ever heard (anybody know what he's doing these days? E-mail me if you do). It's hard to pick a favorite, but I think mine would have to be the title track. It's a wild roller coaster ride of fast and slow riffs, and unpredictable rhythm changes. The Aerosmith cover ("Nobody's Fault") is good, too, but I've never heard the original (I didn't even know it was a cover until I looked in the jacket). "Musical Death (A Dirge)" is an awesome instrumental, and a great way to end the album. If you love old Metallica and bands of the sort, you should definitely check this out. It's a shame Testament never got the recognition that Metallica, Megadeth, or even Slayer did, they undoubtedly deserve it. They are the unsung heroes of metal.

Although the post production on this album is a little underproduced, the overall riff and solo structure show a mastery of the true metal style. If you wonder why guitar playing is "sloppy" these days, it is because the youth of today do not posses the skill or tenacity to learn the instrument the ways the masters have shown us!