Tag: overkill (Page 1 of 2)

I think I’m right in saying that every Overkill studio album has now been released, remixed, or remastered on vinyl on one label or another. Which when you are 20 albums in, is no mean feat.

This album came out in ´94 and chartered at #10 on Billboard and when you consider that this was prime time grunge, the decision to drop them by Atlantic was a weird one. As with most Overkill albums, they have stuck true to the formula whereas others have faded and changed. Blitz and the boys have thrashed their way through the 20 albums giving the fans what they want. The only one that veered slightly was I Hear Black, which didn’t go down to well with fans and critics.

This is Overkill at their best. Thrash a plenty, with hints of punk and hardcore sprinkled in, its no compromise here my friends just heads down no nonsense mindless metal, as it should be. Does anyone remember the video for Fast Junkie? If not, I’m not surprised as MTV hardly played it, but what a killer tune. I always loved the fact that Overkill played with plenty of groove and this album is prime time groove central, giving the dandruff plenty of opportunity to fly free.

If you’re a lover of all things thrash then you may already own this gem, but if not… away to the store with you.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

Another day, and another Overkill reissue to ponder over. This one is the band’s third album that originally saw the light of day in ’88, and it’s half speed mastered.

Do Overkill make bad records? No, is the answer if you were struggling. They just make slightly less great ones.

This album is chock full of your usual Overkill fare; fast tracks, even faster tracks, and some punk/metal crossover which they do so well. There was a point in time where Metallica, Anthrax, and Overkill seemed to be joined at the hip musically until Metallica and the Thrax went off on a tangent, but Overkill stayed true to the cause.

My favourite tune off of this beast is Hello From The Gutter. A slightly more commercial sounding tune, but it works so well. Great hook and chorus and that punk/ metal crossover riff is so cool.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Another day and another Overkill reissue. This time it’s a 2024 Church Of Vinyl redo of this 2012 beast of a record.

I think out of all the “thrash” bands, Overkill are the ones that have stayed true to themselves over their 20 album career. And, to come out with something as good as this 16 albums in is a testament to what a great band they are.

I love every freaking groove on this record, and Electric Rattlesnake is one of my favourite Overkill tunes. It has everything: the big thrash groove with matching riff, a killer breakdown and groove change, and big chase to the finish. A true dandruff shaker!

I’m sure the band are big Sabbath fans because there are many nods and references to them, but the song Black Daze has a great old school Sabs vibe. Great packaging on the record as well. When you open up the gatefold, a pop up appears with the logo and skull symbol.

Great band and killer record.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

I have to say I’m loving these half speed masters reissues from Overkill. For all the audiophile snobs who say it’s pointless to give metal music the audiophile treatment can do one.

I Hear Black was the Overkill’s sixth release and it came out in ’93 right in headlights of prime time grunge and yet it was one of the band’s best sellers. I’m sure I read somewhere that the title was a nod to Black Sabbath, hence the songs were also inspired by the band.

This album is definitely more groovier than thrash but that was the climate back in the early nineties for metal bands, and I love this album. The title track is worth the price alone. A killer heavy groove with matching riffing that just turns the groove muscle to 10.

The whole album is a killer heavy groovy beat down and I can’t recommend it enough.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.