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RELEASED:October 9 2007
PRODUCER: Overkill
LABEL: Bodog Music
BAND:
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth
D.D. Verni
Dave Linsk
Derek Tailer
Ron Lipnicki |
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Classic Overkill
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Same old |
TRACKS:
01.Devils in the Mist 02. What it Takes 03. Skull and Bones (feat. Randy Blythe) 04. Shadow of a Doubt 05. Hellish Pride 06. Walk through Fire 07. Head On
08. Charlie Get Your Gun 09. Hell Is 10. Overkill V |
OVERVIEW
For over 25 years, Overkill has always been a band that has remained true to their Jersey, Thrash metal working class roots. Never following any musical trends, and always remaining true to their classic Thrash sound, Overkill's latest release,"Immortalis" proves the band has more than nine lives and is indeed immortal.
Actually, Overkill took a little different approach when recording, "Immortalis" than their previous release,"Relix lV. Bobby "Blitz" and company did quite a bit of touring over the past couple of years, took their time in the process of the songwriting, and also added new drummer Ron Lipnicki, who in my opinion adds a varied, experimental drum mix to the ever skull crashing sound of Overkill. The rhythm section of Ron and D.D. really unfolds on "Immortalis", as the team proves to lay down the backbone for the entire album.
SONGS
On "Immortalis", Overkill find themselves reunited with the Zazula family, as they return to their roots; incorporating a taste of old school meets new Thrash metal. From the opening heavy track of,"Devils In The Mist", Overkill inflicts a powerful, titanic sound that is ever so prominent from beginning to end.
The die-hard old school Overkill fans will enjoy the signature Thrash sound of songs like the very groovy hook laden,” Hellish Pride", "Charlie Get Your Gun", and "Hell Is". The guitar work of Dave Linsk, and Derek Tailer unleashes a powerful, skull crushing sound that cuts like a razor. Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth trademark roaring vocals, are fast and relentless, as the veteran of metal unleashes a wall of thunderous power.
One of the highlights on,"Immortalis" is the guest appearance of Lamb of God vocalist Randy Blythe on the song,” Skull and Bones". Randy joins Bobby on this old school, meets new metal sound which is destined to become a Overkill classic. The song has a real dark appeal, with Bylthe adding his deep-throated vocals to the mix, and heavy, hellish guitar grooves make this one of the heaviest tracks on the release.
Also, one of the interesting aspects of, "Immortalis" is that in retrospect, the album does not repeat anything that Overkill has done in the past. The production is flawless, and there are not any filler songs on it. In comparison to Relix lX, what is truly transparent is the varied guitar approach which still features the heavy Thrash appeal, but also for instance on the song, "Head On", the band takes a different approach and starts off with a melodic guitar intro, and then leaps right back into heavy Overkill signature thrash sound.
Stand out track, is "Overkill V, which features old school Overkill, as they take you into the depths of hell with their brutality, honest skull crushing riffs.
CONCLUSION
In an upcoming interview with Bobby Ellsworth, he told me when writing songs; he has that fascination with the God question. I have to say, that is ever so prevalent on,"Immortalis", as Bobby writes the many Hell references in the bands songs titles. Also, the album kind of has that Heaven and Hell appeal with feverish vocals, and pounding rhythm section.
When asked if touring played a major role in the approach of writing for this album, Bobby commented,” Absolutely. Probably the one member that helped the most is our newest member Ron Lipnicki, who you got to see perform a few times. Ron had probably done a hundred shows with Overkill, as a principal member of Overkill before he even recorded a note with us. So, I think that this really translates to the record. If Ron does this 100 shows before even recording a note, he really has the feel for what this band is about. I think Ron has the best hands Overkill ever had, with regard to a drummer."
The ten track,"Immortalis" finds Overkill unleashing their secret Thrash metal formula that launched the band into popularity 25 years ago. In this ever-changing music business of musical trends that come and go, it is nice to see some things never change, as the Thrash band Overkill that started it all, never forgot their working class Thrash metal roots on "Immortalis".
Review
by Debby Rao
