"Dark Roots Of Earth", the new album from San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans TESTAMENT, has registered the following first-week chart positions:

#21: Austria
#62: Belgium
#86: Belgium (Flanders)
#40: Belgium (Walloonia)
#12: Canadian
#4: Germany
#4: Finland
#13: Ireland
#32: Netherlands
#10: Switzerland
#57: United Kingdom
#12: USA

"Dark Roots Of Earth" sold more than 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD arrived in stores on July 31 via Nuclear Blast Records.

TESTAMENT's previous studio album, "The Formation of Damnation", opened with 11,400 units back in May 2008 to debut at position No. 59.

"Dark Roots Of Earth" was produced, mixed and mastered by acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE, ACCEPT, EXODUS). Special bonus tracks were recorded, mixed and mastered by Juan Urteaga (MACHINE HEAD, EXODUS, TED NUGENT, NIGHT RANGER) at his Trident Studios. The cover artwork for the effort (see below) was painted by Eliran Kantor, who has previously worked with ATHEIST, SIGH, ANACRUSIS and GWAR, among others.

Commented guitarist Eric Peterson: "Thanks to the TESTAMENT legions for making us shine this first week. Horns up!"

Added vocalist Chuck Billy: "I want to express my eternal gratitude to everybody who supported the 'Dark Roots Of Earth' album and for making our hopes, dreams and hard work a reality. I am forever grateful."

Stated drummer Gene Hoglan: "It is with great pleasure that I share this honor with the TESTAMENT family and their legions of fans worldwide. The highest-charting debut the band’s and label's history! That is due not only you the fans, but also the extremely hard work by the worldwide offices of Nuclear Blast. Their efforts have paid off greatly and are most appreciated. Now that's how you run a campaign."

Said bassist Greg Christian: "I'd like to give a big 'thank you' to all the people that helped bring this about. Thank you to everyone at Nuclear Blast for all the hard work putting this campaign together. And definitely a big thank you goes put to all the fans. You all made this possible. Cheers!"

Added guitarist Alex Skolnick: "Our first-week chart activity, which includes a #12 Billboard debut, is the type of thing that has long seemed elusive to this band. But this time, thanks to a great team (our label, our management and of course, our awesome fans), it's on. Thank you all!"

"Native Blood" video: