Update 11/22/2003 - I didn’t like the original review so decided to rewrite it.
Overkill are one of the few bands still remaining from the glorious New Jersey/New York metal scene from the mid to late 80’s. I’ve been into them since their early years, and have watched them rise to the 2nd tier of mighty thrash bands of the 80’s (with Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, and Slayer in the 1st tier), persist through the grunge era, and continue doing their thing into the 21st century without becoming posers, or attaching themselves to the latest music trends. They have had a history of going through guitar players, and this CD is no exception. Since recording 2000’s Bloodletting, they have added South Jersey native Derek Tailer on guitar, joining Dave Linsk (who has been with the band since 1999’s Necroshine).
Overall this CD has the band going back to their roots, and dishing out some riffs reminiscent of the NWOBHM sound. Not as heavy or thrash as their last 2 releases, but rocks still the same. It also contains the first new material since 9/11, and Bobby Ellsworth’s minor stroke while on stage in Europe last summer. The troops in the Gulf should be playing this CD.
As with most Overkill studio releases, there are some incredible songs, surrounded by some not so great stuff. But on this release, the second tier stuff is still very good, just not as great as the first tier stuff. Bobby has even stated that he was unhappy with some of the material from the last couple studio releases. So if you haven’t bought an Overkill release since The Years of Decay, or Horrorscope, I think you should pick this one up, instead of that poser metal stuff on the latest Metallica release.
My favorites tracks from this CD:
- Devil by the Tail
- The Sound of Dying
- Struck Down
- Unholy
- I Rise
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