Few bands have endured the ever-evolving landscape of American heavy metal music like New York natives Overkill, and fewer since have been able to appease the metal gods for twenty-plus years.
Since a self-financed EP in 1984, the band has seen several line-up changes and label shifts, including a seven year stint on Atlantic. While keeping their fan-base intact, with a down-to-earth approach, a relentless touring schedule, and remaining true to their metal roots, these veterans of New York thrash metal serve up their 14th studio slab entitled RELIXIV, and with it, show no signs of slowing down.
The disc is brimming with razor sharp metal chops and a bludgeoning percussive assault that blends seamlessly with the soaring fiery pitch of vocalist Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth, leaving you wondering if he’s the secret inspiration for Jack Blacks’ humorous howling. The songs blast along as if fired from a semi-automatic weapon, injecting punk rock energy and ferocious elements that have often been evident in their music and of their New York thrash metal contemporaries like Anthrax and Biohazard.
RELIXIV will be another home run for their fans. It will also serve as a reminder that with a consistent product and a smash mouth “blue collar” mentality, a band can wield their proverbial sword in the land of Metal for years and be a foundation for further generations.
Mike Davis is an aspiring robot and a prose composer in the making. He enjoys playing music with his band Eta Carinae, watching movies and quality sporting events, and humiliating himself in public, preferably in front of females. He can be contacted at etacarinaerocks[at]hotmail.com.
