Overkill - Ironbound (Nuclear Blast/Riot)
Lest they’re left behind by a thrash scene still enjoying its resurgence, Overkill crank open a fresh can of aural whoopass to teach the kids that no one does it better than the old school. With the Hypocrisy guy (one Peter Tagtgren—familiar?) working behind the knobs this time, the aged quintet peddle their usual grit with the trappings of modern production. Expect the riffs from the Dave Linsk/Derek Tailer duo to crunch harder, drums to pound heavier, and singer Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth’s voice to pack more leathery charm than before.
Beginning with the prolonged thunking bass lines at the start of The Green And Black, the music doesn’t get anywhere near exciting until the rest of the band jams along to D.D. Verni’s ad lib. When the drums enter the fray and the leads scream in glorious harmony, the stage is set for the oncoming storm. Lo and behold, The Green And Black proves a sprawling epic tune reminding us that Overkill still have the energy to outplay their yonger counterparts seventeen albums into their existence. Good music truly is ageless.
But these geezers haven’t spent their load yet; once the title track barges in, the listener should expect a solid spanking as Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth belts out its lyrics along to a pugilistic rhythm section. Bring Me The Night sounds cut from the same mold, except it’s a helluva lot faster. Consider it a final manic scramble prior to the brooding The Goal Is Your Soul. Past the sarcastic thrasher Give A Little and the obligatory war-themed Endless War, Overkill deliver their best yet with the chilling The Head And Heart that has two most excellent mosh inspiring anthems—In Vain and Killing For A Living—snapping at its heels before the bruising The SRC wraps this ironbound release.
Stellar production; excellent performances by all members; sporting a rhythm section by D.D. Verni and Ron Lipnicki to be reckoned with; Ironbound is an all-guns-blazing thrashocalypse. If you can’t handle it, then you’re just too weak to ever be worthy of Overkill.
Overkill's Ironbound is out now via Nuclear Blast records. Read our interview with Overkill here.
