The Ritual (Testament album)

The Ritual is the fifth album by the American thrash metal band Testament. It was released in 1992 on Atlantic/Megaforce Records. On September 29, 2017, Metal Blade Records released the album on vinyl for the first time in the US along with its follow-up album Low, limited to 1500 copies.[2]

The Ritual
Studio album by Testament
Released	May 15, 1992[1]
Recorded	1991–1992
Studio	One On One Recording, Los Angeles, California
Genre	Heavy metal, thrash metal
Length	54:24
Label	Atlantic, Megaforce
Producer	Tony Platt
Testament chronology
Souls of Black (1990) The Ritual (1992) Return to the Apocalyptic City (1993)
Singles from The Ritual
"Electric Crown" Released: 1992 "Return to Serenity" Released: 1992

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link

Background

The Ritual was the last studio album to include drummer Louie Clemente, and also guitarist Alex Skolnick's last album until he rejoined the band in 2005. On the record, Testament began exploring a slower and more melodic approach while still maintaining their thrash roots.

Reception

The album was a minor success, making it to #55 on the Billboard 200. This would be Testament's highest position in their career, until 2012's Dark Roots of Earth, which reached number twelve on the same chart. The record also spawned the band's only charting single "Return to Serenity", which reached number 22 on Mainstream Rock Tracks. By June 2007, The Ritual had sold 485,000 copies in the U.S.,[3] although the album has never been certified at least gold by the RIAA.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Signs of Chaos"	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

Credits

• Chuck Billy — vocals
• Eric Peterson — guitars
• Alex Skolnick — guitars
• Greg Christian — bass
• Louie Clemente — drums

Additional

• Shawn Crosby — additional vocals (as stated in the album's liner notes)
• William Benson — album cover artwork

Production

• Arranged by Testament
• Produced and recorded by Tony Platt
• Recorded at One on One Studios; assisted by Ulrich Wild
• Mixed by Nigel Green at Battery Studios
• Assistant Mix 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.

Charts

Album

Chart (1992)	Peak position
The Billboard 200	55[4]
Oricon Albums Chart	58[5]
	UK Albums (OCC)[6]	48

Singles

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1993	"Return to Serenity"	Mainstream Rock Songs	22[7]

References

1. "Testament - The Ritual - Encyclopaedia Metallum". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
2. "TESTAMENT's 'Low' And 'The Ritual' To Be Released On Vinyl In U.S. For First Time". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
3. "Testament Frontman: 'The Timing Is Right For This Band Again'". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
4. "Testament / Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
5. テスタメントてすためんと. "儀式 | テスタメント | ORICON NEWS". Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
6. "Testament | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
7. "Testament / Chart Positions / Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-06-19.