‘Historikill 1995-2007’ – Ranking Overkill’s Albums From Their Forthcoming Retrospective Release

7. ReliXIV (2005)

Source // www.musicya.net

An atypical Overkill release, ReliXIV may not be their best work – in fact it’s far from it – but it is an ‘Overkill album’ and by that we mean it’s exactly what you’d want and expect from Bobby Blitz and DD Verni and co. on full-length album number 13 (the XIV in the title includes the Overkill EP from 1984). Heavy on the Groove, the air-raid siren vocals and some time-honoured “Old-School” thrashing, Overkill in 2005 were still proving more than relevant after 25 years in the business!

While ReliXIV may not be an Overkill classic, it’s still obvious that the boys were certainly not resting on their laurels –  an alien concept to these hard-workin’ grafters – and the likes of “Bats In The Belfry” and “A Pound Of Flesh” are 100% Thrash, pure of heart and devoid of pretension.

“Love” may have divided opinion but it’s Groove-heavy riffing and infectious chorus – including a cracking Bobby “Blitz” vocal performance – raises the hackles in a fist-pumping, teeth-clenched manner all too often missing from modern Metal.

A mandatory Overkill release then? No. Worth a listen. you betcha! 7/10

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