Yes, The Gathering is the best thrash album of the past five years!
I would also say that it's Testament's best, and I don't care who the main riff writer was. That album kicks ass! And mainly because of Murphy and Lombardo.
I agree with "The Gathering" being Testament's best...but how could you forget DiGiorgio's as usual flawless performance? And as for "Low"...severly underrated by everyone I know...Tempesta does kickass!