Overkill
Immortalis
Bodog
In thrash we stand
With only two constants—marble-mouthed sneerer Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth and bassist Carlos “D.D.” Verni—through their 27 years, Overkill have lived and died by their guitarists. Bobby Gustafson helmed the early years, transitioning from a traditional metal/thrash hybrid (Feel the Fire) to pure thrash (The Years of Decay). The duo of Rob Cannavino and Merritt Gant spearheaded the classic Horrorscope before shifting Overkill towards the groove metal in vogue in the mid ’90s. Joe Comeau and Sebastian Marino then sank the band for three dreary studio albums filled with generic groove metal. (If only I could have the hour of my life back that was the awful Necroshine!) Thankfully, Dave Linsk came on board for 2000’s Bloodletting, returning the band to their thrash roots. In sports terminology, he would be a “franchise player.”
Since his acquisition, Overkill have enjoyed a run of dependably solid modern thrash. Immortalis continues this streak. Sure, it has new faces—drummer Ron Lipnicki, as well as Randy Blythe, whose growl returns to “Skull and Bones” some of what Lamb of God stole from thrash. Basically, though, Overkill are the same. “Devils in the Mist” has those familiar compressed polka beats, but what jumps out is the smoothness of execution. Overkill don’t sound like they’re feverishly looking up where to find white hi-tops, like so many of today’s retro thrash new jacks. Linsk and fellow six-stringer Derek Tailer calmly and cleanly fire off machine-gun riffs, breaking a sweat only for fluent, tasty solos. The wah-drenched break in “Charlie Get Your Gun” recalls prime Kirk Hammett; the razor sharp melodies in “Overkill V” will surprise even fans of the band. Killing is the business, and business is still good. —Cosmo Lee
