Fortunately there are still certainties in life and one of them is that every
album of Overkill is a punch in your face and one with quality. Sure there are
albums that top others, but they have never release something below a certain
standard level. I have been a fan of the band since their 1985 release 'Feel the
Fire' and their 1987 album 'Taking Over'. More than half of their albums can be
found in my collection and if I had the money for it, I would have bought them
all.
This new album is rather classic Overkill thrash and influences of several of
their albums can be heard. Perhaps their 2012 album "The Electric Age" is a tad
heavier, but also less variable. The "Armorist" starts fast in typical Overkill
style and in "Down to the Bone" the bass of D.D. takes the leading role. "Pig"
sounds a bit hectic, but Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth glues everything together with
his unique style. Again Bobby sounds as if time doesn't have any influence on
him, at least not on his voice. "Bitter Pill" is one of the best songs, it is a
little slower and groovy. In a certain way it reminds a bit of 'The Years of
Decay" album style. The up-front bass line and the slow heavy riff make you want
to bang your head and jump up and down.
"Where There's Smoke" has a (reminding me of) Metallica 'Kill 'em All' kind of
start and is a very fast track. With "Freedom Rings" a variable track with
faster and slower more groovy parts takes over and again some riffs remind of
early Metallica or should I just say early Overkill albums. Another song I want
to mention is "It's All Yours", yet another track with a nice groove. "In the
Name" is a well chosen last track, with an almost sounding like a heavy Iron
Maiden mid part. This track is the most original song on this album and
shows that the band still has some new ideas.
A very variable album, typical Overkill, but very welcome, check this out.
