with
Overkill - RelixIV
by
Dustin Hupe
..
For over 20 years Overkill has been kicking
ass with their speed metal madness of double bass, speed guitar, and vocals
that have been rightly described as guttural. It's a formula that's proven
to work, and like they say "If it ain't broke don't fix it". If you're
looking for a new sound or a new direction look away now. If you're looking
for that crazy, headbanging, mosh pit, frenzy that Overkill has so graciously
provided for us time and again, then welcome back my friend. There is no
trend jumping here, nor has there ever been with Overkill. Ever since I
first saw them in those metal videos you could get in the mail each month,
they have stayed consistent and true to their roots, something that's hard
to find anymore.
RelixIV starts out slow but soon
builds up to what you were expecting with "Within Your Eyes" that features
more double bass than in earlier albums but it's definitely a good thing.
It then moves into "Love" but despite the name you will find no mushy crap
here. The riffs are crunchy and accented by Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth's unique
voice. "Bats In The Belfry" keeps with the solid style that we've come
to expect. "Play The Ace" shows how guitarists DD Verni and Dave Linsk
are more riff oriented this time around. And my favorite song on the CD
"Old School" a thrashy tribute to old school metal.
This album is entirely self-produced by
the band to get the feel that they wanted. "We try to bring the same attitude
to the record as we do on stage." said Ellsworth. And after 14 full length
studio albums spanning 20 years they should know how. It reflects the band's
love for the music, you know that you love it when you almost die of a
stroke and keep going. This album is also a continuation of the work on
"Killbox 13" and is fairly similar, showing once again that you don't have
to change keep kicking ass. Like Biohazard, Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, and
the other bands from the New York / New Jersey metal scene of the 80's
and 90's they have stayed down to earth and haven't betrayed their fans.
So like a case of hearing loss, they showed
up, they kicked ass, and they stayed. In a time when you favorite band
can become you least favorite over the course of one album, Overkill has
refused to jump through hoops, or follow trends. If they do something it's
because they want to and not because it's the "hot" thing to do. Anyone
new to the metal scene or that wants to play metal should check out this
album for basics and then how to kick it up. It's for all metal fans regardless
of "sub genres", speed, death, black, all will find this one to be an instant
classic. It's for seasoned fans and new fans alike, Overkill has rocked
and still continue to rock with the celebration of their 20th anniversary.
CD Info and Links
Overkill - RelixIV
Label: Spitfire
Records (USA)
Rating:  
CD Info and Links
Listen
to samples and Purchase this CD online
Visit
the official website for more on the band and their new CD!
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