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

3. Bloodletting (2000)

Source // a4.mzstatic.com

After the relatively obscure nature of the previous years Necroshine, long-time fans of Overkill must have a breathed a heavy sigh of relief when Bloodletting opener “Thunderhead” blasted out of the speakers. Thrashier than an S&M whip-a-thon, the feral ferocity Overkill appeared to have shelved is unleashed once more, heavy enough to “wake the dead” and a considerably effective opener to a considerably effective album.

Again, Bloodletting appears to receive a mixed reaction but there’s some truly great songs  contained within and if “Death Comes Out To Play” fails to snap those neck-muscles in two then Thrash may not actually be your thing! With the Thrash ante upped considerably you’d be forgiven for thinking that a return to the glories of Taking Over or The Years Of Decay had occurred and while those classics are referenced, Overkill had evolved enough to incorporate the two ages of their sound.

While faithful Thrashers are sufficiently catered for, so too are fans of Overkill’s Groove era; pile-driving semi-ballad “Blown Away” providing the drama and devilish atmospherics to counter-balance the blinding speed of Bloodletting‘s Thrashier moments.  8/10 

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