Where Does Overkill’s New Album, “Scorched”, Rank In Their Sprawling Back Catalogue?
'killin' it!
Wheels keep turning….
10. The Grinding Wheel (2017)
“Mean, Green, Killing Machine” kicked off Overkill’s 18th album and had everything you could possibly want from this most consistent of bands. Frenetic riffing? Check. High speed bursts of double bass drumming? Check. D.D. Verni’s chunky bass, anchoring it all down? Check. And finally, Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth spitting out his lyrics with all the spite of a rabid pitbull that’s just been kicked in the nuts. Check, check and fucking check!
Home to more than a few nods to Overkill‘s illustrious past – the title track had a grinding malevolence that brought to mind “Horrorscope”, and the aptly named “Come Heavy”, with its leaden groove, was reminiscent of what they were producing circa the underrated I Hear Black – while “Our Finest Hour” and “Red, White and Blue” (the intro alone of which could liquify your bowels at 100 paces) were prime slices of ‘pit’ fodder.
Anyone with even a passing interest in Overkill (and therefore the history of thrash metal) should find much to savour. 7/10
Hair-raising!….
9. The Electric Age (2012)
Tight and technical, fast and feral, The Electric Age capitalised on Ironbound‘s popularity by doubling down on the aggression and unleashing yet another collection of high calibre, modern (yet nostalgic) thrash tunes!
At times, The Electric Age was a little too close for comfort to Ironbound‘s modus operandi – hence its placing here – but, stylistic similarities aside, nothing can detract from the quality on display.
“Electric Rattlesnake” has the power to kickstart your heart and “Old Wounds, New Scars” is charged with the kind of full-tilt, bravura performances that have always marked out Overkill as one of the greatest thrash bands of their generation.
Electrifying! 8/10
It burns!
8. Scorched (2023)
20 albums in and Overkill’s appropriately named Scorched set fire to any notion that these thrash veterans are past it.
Sure, the 10 tracks on Scorched followed the same blue-collar blueprint Overkill have been sticking to for years now. But, when the results were this satisfying – this incendiary even – who gives a flying fuck if the band aren’t exactly breaking boundaries anymore. And why the fuck should they!
Overkill’s formula is a winning one and when the title track blasts out the gates you won’t care if it could quite easily have been taken from White Devil Armory or The Grinding Wheel. As lean and mean as Bobby Blitz himself, the jagged riffs of “The Surgeon” and the infuriatingly catchy “Won’t Be Comin’ Back” hit hard and fast and, when the band hit the kind of groove Tony Iommi would be proud of on “Wicked Place”, Scorched quickly becomes a top-tier Overkill release.
Wiping the floor with Metallica‘s 72 Seasons – which was released on the same day – Scorched has clarified once and for all that Overkill are the most consistently impressive band in the history of thrash. We dare you to suggest otherwise! 8/10
Ooh, you little devils, you!
7. White Devil Armory (2014)
After 16 albums, you could forgive Overkill for taking their foot off the gas but that could not be further from the truth; if anything, White Devil Armory proved they were just getting faster and more aggressive with age.
White Devil Armory was an immediate highlight in a back catalogue containing its fair share of stellar releases. “Armorist” attacks like a rabid pit-bull let off the leash – antagonistic and armed to the teeth with speed metal precision and persistence – while “Bitter Pill” brings it down a notch, employing a groove-laden, mid-paced chug familiar to fans of Overkill’s mid 90’s output.
Injecting spit and bile into each slamming track, these thrash veterans continued to show bands half their age how this shit should be done. 8/10
Drunk. On THRASH!
6. Under The Influence (1988)
Taking the honour of never really releasing a bad album, Overkill‘s 1988 effort, Under The Influence, remains a firm fan favourite and is home to some of these East Coast maniacs finest compositions.
The uncompromisable “Shred” and “Hello from the Gutter” (Overkill’s breakthrough which received heavy rotation on MTV’s Headbangers Ball) may be the most recognisable tracks but the whole album is filled with the same level of menace and high speed hostility.
High on energy and fuelled by aggression, it’s arguable that Overkill never sounded this raw and unpolished again; with these New Jersey boys’ punk roots still informing the core of their sound and ultimately transforming Under The Influence into Overkill’s most feral beast! 8/10
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