| CD REVIEW Overkill |
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Band : Overkill Hum…although I’ve known this band from its very (recorded) beginnings, I never had to review any of their albums, but I won’t be tempted into bringing you a history of the band…there’s simply too much to tell. From the extensive stories you might read at either Rockdetector.com or their page at Wikipedia, you might remember the following: singer Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth and bassist D. D. Verni are the only remaining original members of the band, the two frequently re-inventinng their band’s line-up with guitarists Dave Linsk and Derek Tailer (both of Speedkill/Hate) having been added to the line-up in 1999, and drummer Ron Lipnicki (formerly of Hades) only in 2005. Founded in 1980, the New Jersey based band debuted with the Overkill EP issued through Azra/ Metal Storm and have continued to release another EP, a total of 15 studio albums (including the new one), 2 live albums, and a “covers” album. As mentioned in the review (done by collegue Cosmicmasseur, posted 16/09/2007) for Overkill’s previous studio album Immortalis, Overkill developed a particular but also typical style of Thrash Metal (in spite of changing members), with the advantage that one knows what to expect with this band, and the disadvantage that one album very much sounds like the previous one (except perhaps for a better sound over the years thanks to improved recording techniques). In my personal case, I díd follow the band in their beginning years during the ‘80s, but soon hooked off…and it was therefore with mixed feelings that I accepted the task of reviewing their newest outing. And I have to say, it became a semi-nice re-acquainting with the band! Bobby still has the same soaring voice, and sounds almost as “fresh” as he did 25 years ago. The guitarists may play the same style, but create enough tensions between each other to keep things interesting enough…though you shouldn’t expect any too elaborate progressive runs here! Underneath you get a more than decent rhythm section, both occasionally enabled to come to the surface during those short periods when the guitars take a break. The band allows for some variety in their music, inserting a somewhat slower paced song or passage in order to keep the listener’s attention. Having given the album more than the usual listening sessions, I’m afraid to have to say that, in spite of the fact that I thoroughly enjoy listening to the album while it’s playing, I have a hard time remembering melodies of any of the songs afterwards (in other words, nothing clings to memory).. Be that as it may, the album is still a nice slab of Thrash…which the band’s fans can go and buy without hesitating. If you’re new to the band (hey, stranger things have happened, and every new generation of young Thrashers needs to find its own way at its own pace, you know) you might wanna listen to some of the band’s music at myspace.com/overkill, where you’ll find none of the new album’s songs, but several of the band’s now classic tracks. I’m not sure whether you’ll find any of the new album’s tracks at the band’s own website, but you’ll certainly be able to listen to several samples at Amazon.com! Otherwize, check out the album next time you pass by your local record shop. They’re about certain to have a copy. If you like what you hear, you might wanna check out the band in live conditions, catch ‘em on tour in Europe (several dates in Germany but also in France, Spain, Portugal, the UK, and the one in Belgium: Centre Culturel in Lessines on Feb. 26), one of their South-American dates, and the ensuing North-American tour. The band is back in Europe for several Summer festivals as well. For details on all the aforementioned, check out the band’s own website or page at MySpace. 87/100 Tony. |