Practice What You Preach
Testament · 1989
46 min · 10 tracks · thrash metal
Aggressive riffs intertwine with powerful lyrics, creating a relentless soundscape that defines thrash metal's late '80s evolution.
Top tracks — play these first
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Practice What You Preach Start here — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of integrity and social responsibility, driven by an explosive riff that embodies the band's technical prowess.
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Sins of Omission — With its intricate guitar work and thought-provoking lyrics on accountability, this track exemplifies Testament's ability to merge complexity with raw energy.
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Greenhouse Effect — Addressing environmental issues through aggressive instrumentation and passionate vocals, this song stands out for its progressive approach within the thrash genre.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Aggressive riffs and socially conscious lyrics define this solid thrash metal album.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features rapid-fire guitar riffs and aggressive drumming, setting a high-energy tone.
- Several tracks incorporate tempo changes, alternating between fast-paced sections and slower, more melodic passages.
- The final track features an extended instrumental section that gradually builds in intensity before concluding the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing with gradual climax
- socially-conscious themes throughout tracks
- energizing backdrop for workouts
- engaging narratives in each track
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy and complex albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Helped cement Testament's status in thrash metal, gaining wider recognition.
- Career context
- Released in January 1989, 'Practice What You Preach' is Testament's fourth studio album, following the critically acclaimed 'New Order'. At this point in their career, Testament was solidifying their position as one of the leading bands in the thrash metal scene, building on their earlier successes and expanding their musical complexity.
Tracklist
- 1 Practice What You Preach Start here 4:55
- 2 Perilous Nation 5:52
- 3 Envy Life 4:16
- 4 Time Is Coming 5:26
- 5 Blessed in Contempt 4:14
- 6 Greenhouse Effect 4:53
- 7 Sins of Omission 5:01
- 8 The Ballad 6:08
- 9 Nightmare (Coming Back to You) 2:20
- 10 Confusion Fusion 3:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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