Power of Metal.dk Review

 
Overkill
White Devil Armory
Rating
 
Style: Thrash Metal
Release date: 18 July, 2014
Playing time: 50:00
 


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.


Tracklist
01. XDM
02.
Armorist
03.
Down to the Bone
04.
Pig
05.
Bitter Pill
06.
Where There's Smoke
07.
Freedom Rings
08.
Another Day to Die
09. King of the Rat Bastards
10. It's All Yours
11. In the Name
Label: Nuclear Blast
Distribution: Sony Music (Denmark)
Reviewed by: Reinier de Vries
Date: 18 July, 2014
Website: www.wreckingcrew.com