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Overkill (band)
Encyclopedia
Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey
. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining from the original lineup. Along with Anthrax
(whose one-time lead guitarist, Dan Spitz
, was also an early member of Overkill), the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal bands. The band has a notable mascot named Chaly, a skeletal bat with a skull-like face, bony wings, and green eyes. Chaly has appeared on most of their album covers.
To date, Overkill has released 15 studio albums, 2 EPs, 2 live albums and a "covers
" album. They were one of the early thrash metal bands to sign to a major label (Atlantic Records
, in 1986), though Overkill would not achieve commercial success until they popularized "thrash" in the late 1980s with their contemporaries Metallica
, Megadeth
, Slayer
, Anthrax
, Exodus
and Testament
. The band achieved its biggest success with their 1993 album I Hear Black
, which debuted at #122 on the Billboard 200
charts, the band's highest ever chart position in the United States.
Overkill was formed in 1980 from the ashes of the punk
band "The Lubricunts", featuring Rat Skates
and D.D. Verni.
Verni and Skates placed an ad looking for a guitarist and singer which was answered by singer Bobby Ellsworth and the first incarnation of Overkill was formed.
After rejecting several names, including "Virgin Killer", the band finally settled on Overkill.
Early covers, especially those done under the "Virgin Killers" name, were punk songs by The Ramones, The Dead Boys
and others. By late 1980, the band had recruited two guitarists, and the setlist was made up of songs by bands such as Motörhead ("Overkill"
, half of the Ace of Spades
album), Judas Priest
('Tyrant' was their closer), and Riot
. Along with the new influx of heavy metal
covers, the band still played a smattering of punk covers, with extra distortion, intensity, and speed, marking Overkill as one of the first thrash metal
bands.
In 1981, guitarists Rich Conte and Bobby Gustafson joined the band.
At this point, the band started writing original songs, including "Grave Robbers" (later renamed "Raise The Dead"), "Overkill", and "Unleash The Beast (Within)". More songs would follow, including "Death Rider" (1981) and "Rotten To The Core" (1982). In 1983 Conte left and Bobby Gustafson remained as the sole guitarist.
The band became a staple at New York and New Jersey clubs, such as L'Amours.
Verni gave Ellsworth the nickname "Blitz" due to his over-the-top lifestyle, a lifestyle that once earned Ellsworth an ejection from the band for a few days in 1983.
Around this time, the classic green logo was adopted, which Rat Skates
specifically designed to stand out on a poster loaded with red and black logos of the other bands on the bill.
, D.D. Verni, Bobby Gustafson and Bobby Blitz, released the Power In Black
demo, a recording that made as much impact in the underground tape trading circuit as demos by up-and-coming Bay area thrash bands like Exodus
and Testament
.
Power In Black
gained the band two compilation appearances. 'Feel The Fire' was included on "New York Metal '84" and 'Death Rider' appeared on volume V of the legendary Metal Massacre
series.
The band was also able to secure a small recording deal with Azra/Metal Storm Records that resulted in the 1984 four track EP Overkill
, that quickly sold out, instantly pushing the band to the forefront of the fledgling thrash metal
movement.
Though it is said that the band never saw any money from the release, the Overkill
EP garnered the band massive underground interest, and the attention of Jon Zazula, the owner of Megaforce Records
, one of the most prominent independent heavy metal record labels at the time.
Megaforce signed Overkill to a new multi-album record contract and released their full length debut album Feel The Fire
in 1985. Hailed by many critics and fans as a thrash metal masterpiece, the album cemented the band's position as one of the driving forces of the east coast thrash movement.
The band spent the better part of 1985 and 1986 touring in support of Feel the Fire
, beginning as support act for Megadeth
's "Peace Sells" US tour and later in Europe with Anthrax
and Agent Steel
.
. The album featured improved song writing and production and had a somewhat more epic style, showcased in such songs as the anthemic "In Union We Stand". The song was chosen to be Overkill's first music video, used to promote the band through the booming new medium of music television. Another European tour followed, this time opening for Helloween
.
In late 1987, the !!!Fuck You!!!
EP was released, consisting of a studio recording of "Fuck You" as well as a handful of live tracks recorded earlier that year in Cleveland.
1987 also saw the departure of drummer Rat Skates
. He was replaced by Mark Archibole for a few gigs, then on a permanent basis by European drummer Bob "Sid" Falck previously of Paul Di'Anno
's Battlezone.
Overkill released the follow-up to Taking Over, the aptly titled Under the Influence, in 1988. Once again produced by Alex Perialas
, Under the Influence was much more raw and thrashy, lacking most of the grand and epic atmosphere of its predecessor. Suffering from rushed writing and production, the album is often regarded as a snapshot and a step backwards for the band. The song "Hello From The Gutter" was released as a single, and the music video gained regular airplay on MTV's Headbangers Ball
. Overkill kept up constant touring all over the world, furthering their reputation as one of the most active live metal bands.
Overkill released their breakthrough album The Years of Decay
in 1989. It was recorded with famed producer Terry Date
(Pantera
, White Zombie
, Soundgarden
) and featured the band's best production to date. It mixed the raw approach of "Under The Influence" with more complex song structures and epic elements, resulting in a more serious atmosphere and longer songs, including the eight minute title track and the ten minute "Playing With Spiders/Skullkrusher." The uptempo thrasher "Elimination" was released as a single and the music video again received regular airplay on MTV's Headbangers Ball
. The song became a fan favorite and would be played live at every show, even 20 years later. Live support of The Years of Decay
took place, in part, on a tour called "Dawn Of The Decade" together with label mates Testament
.
And the album has sold 4 million worldwide.
In 1990, guitarist and songwriter Bobby Gustafson left the band. Verni and Gustafson had long locked horns over the direction of the band, and in the end Blitz sided with Verni, asking Gustafson to leave Overkill. The remaining members added two new guitarists to the band; Rob Cannavino who had been Gustafson's guitar technician, and Merritt Gant
.
The 'new' Overkill recorded their fifth album Horrorscope
, again with Terry Date
, in 1991. Featuring the furious riffs and trade-off solos of new guitarists Cannavino and Gant, and the refined songwriting of Verni and Ellsworth, Horrorscope
quickly silenced fan fears that the loss of a chief songwriter would ruin the band. Today, the album is widely regarded as one of Overkill's defining moments and is arguably their heaviest release. Focusing on a darker, heavier style, the album spawned the doomy single "Horrorscope", a departure from the band's earlier singles, which had traditionally been uptempo songs. The band continued to tour constantly, fully cementing their reputation as one of the premier live bands of the genre.
In 1992, during the Horrorscope
tour, Sid Falck left the band. Admittedly never a big fan of thrash metal music, Sid said that he had initially wanted to push his drumming to the limit by playing the most complex type of music (of the era), and in time he decided to pursue other musical interests.
Sid was replaced by M.O.D.
drummer Tim Mallare, with whom the 1993 album I Hear Black
was recorded. Produced by Alex Perialas
(who by now had worked with Anthrax and Testament), I Hear Black
was the first Overkill album released directly through Atlantic Records
. The album once again presented a change in style, from the heavy thrash of Horrorscope
to a more stoner
/blues rock
-oriented style influenced by Black Sabbath
. The eclectic nature of the album is often attributed to the fact that many different song writers were involved. Verni and Ellsworth would handle most of the song writing themselves on subsequent albums, with only minor contributions from the other members. A music video was shot for "Spiritual Void" but failed to receive much airplay. The European leg of the 1993 "World Of Hurt Tour" featured Savatage
and Non-Fiction as support acts.
Overkill's self-produced seventh album W.F.O.
(which stands for "Wide Fuckin' Open", a common biker
term) was released in September 1994 as an answer to the criticism that I Hear Black
had received. The album presented a fast, heads-down, old school thrash metal
style without any of the experimental
elements present on the previous record. The music video for "Fast Junkie" was widely ignored by MTV, due to changing mainstream tastes and limited airplay availability for metal bands. Overkill continued to have bigger success overseas, mounting an extensive European tour in the fall, supported by Jag Panzer
and Massacra
.
With grunge
dominating the airwaves in the US, and many heavy metal radio stations changing formats, W.F.O.
failed to find an audience and in 1995 Overkill left Atlantic Records
. Overkill were happy to leave the mainstream label, where they felt they received little or no attention and signed to different record companies around the world (CMC International
in the US).
A March 1995 show, once again in Cleveland, Ohio
, was recorded for Overkill's first full-length live album, a 100-minute double CD entitled Wrecking Your Neck
. The album was released in April 1995, with the first pressing featuring a bonus CD containing the Overkill EP that had been out of print for ten years. A music video for the song "Bastard Nation" taken from Wrecking Your Neck
was also released, but again failed to receive airplay in the US.
(now playing guitar). Comeau brought along former Anvil
guitarist Sebastian Marino, with whom he had worked with in the past. The new line up recorded The Killing Kind in 1996, again self-produced and mixed by Chris Tsangarides
(Judas Priest
). While staying well within the thrash genre, the album was a departure from its predecessor's more traditional thrash metal style and featured many modern elements such as Hardcore
, while the vocals showed influences from a broad spectrum of music. As Comeau was also a singer, backing vocals on The Killing Kind and subsequent albums were more elaborate and frequent than before, adding another new element to the band's sound. Press response to The Killing Kind was very positive, but the album remains a hotly contested topic among the band's audience, with some longtime fans resistant to the new modern elements, and others hailing The Killing Kind as one of the band's finest moments.
Overkill toured Europe twice in support of The Killing Kind first in February 1996 with Megora and Accu§er, and then again in November with Anvil
and Stahlhammer
. In the summer of 1996, Overkill appeared on Volume 2 of Century Media's
"Legends Of Metal – A Tribute To Judas Priest" compilation, to which they contributed 'Tyrant', heavily adapted to the band's own style.
In summer 1997, the band released !!!Fuck You!!! and Then Some
. The album included the !!!Fuck You!!!
EP, which had been out of print for some years, along with the classic Overkill EP and two live tracks from a 1990 promo single. October of the same year saw the release of the ninth Overkill studio album, titled From The Underground And Below
. This record retained some of the modern influences from The Killing Kind, while also reincorporating elements from the band's earlier efforts. Some songs on From The Underground And Below
, including "Save Me", even had a slight industrial metal
sound to them. Reportedly a video for the track "Long Time Dyin'" was shot, but due to the non-existence of metal in the mainstream media at the time, it is unlikely that the video has ever aired on television. Again Overkill opted to only tour Europe in support of the album, which took place in May 1998, with Nevermore
, Angel Dust
and Nocturnal Rites
.
In 1998, Blitz was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of nose cancer and underwent immediate surgery, thankfully in time to catch the cancer before it spread. After his recovery, the band started work on their tenth studio album, and the self produced Necroshine
was released in February 1999, making Overkill the very first thrash metal
band ever to release ten full-length studio albums (Other first wave thrash bands, such as Sodom
or Kreator
would not achieve this milestone until two years later). While once again quite different from the previous records and musically not considered "classic" Overkill, the album was vocally even more experimental than The Killing Kind, and was well received by fans and critics alike.
Soon before the release of Necroshine
, Sebastian Marino left Overkill to spend more time with his family. He was replaced by Dave Linsk from the New Jersey hardcore
/thrash metal
band Anger On Anger. A two-week European trip in June was arranged to fill the gap between appearances at the Dynamo
and With Full Force
festivals.
September 1999 saw the release of Coverkill
, an album consisting entirely of cover versions from bands that were especially influential to Overkill, such as Black Sabbath
(featured no less than three times), Kiss
, Motörhead, Manowar
, and The Ramones. Some of the tracks had been previously available on compilations or as Japanese bonus tracks, but others had been shelved for years (the earliest recording was from the Under the Influence sessions) or were recorded immediately prior to the album's release. A full European tour in support of both Necroshine
and Coverkill
took place in February 2000, as Overkill co-headlined with Canadian thrash metal band Annihilator
, with the German band Dew-Scented
in the opening slot.
During the European tour, Annihilator fired their singer Randy Rampage
due to his disruptive behavior. A few months later, Joe Comeau was confirmed as his replacement, effectively ending his tenure with Overkill. The band returned to the studio, this time as a four piece, and in the fall of 2000 released Bloodletting
. Once again produced by the band, and mixed this time by Colin Richardson
.
November of the same year saw the band again touring Europe as a special guest of Halford's
"Resurrection" world tour. Since Overkill had not found a new second guitarist yet, Joe Comeau joined on a temporary basis for the tour. For the last couple of shows, the band also utilized another session musician. With D.D. Verni's wife about to give birth to their second child, D.D. was replaced temporarily by Derek "The Skull" Tailer, the bass player in Dee Snider
's band S.M.F. In 2002, Tailer was announced as a permanent member of Overkill, although not on bass guitar, but filling the vacant guitarist position.
After taking a break, Overkill resurfaced in 2002 with Wrecking Everything
, their second full-length live album, recorded at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The album contained only songs that had not been on Wrecking Your Neck
, some simply because they were released on later albums, but also a few early songs from albums such as Taking Over and Under the Influence. The same show was used for Overkill's first ever DVD, Wrecking Everything – An Evening In Asbury Park, also released in 2002.
The European tour in June 2002, supporting both Bloodletting
and Wrecking Everything
saw Blaze and Wicked Mystic opening up for Overkill. During the second to last show of the tour in Nuremberg, Germany, Blitz suffered a stroke on stage and collapsed. For nearly three days, rumors ran rampant, reporting everything from Blitz being in a coma, permanently paralyzed, or even that Blitz had died. Finally, three days later, the band announced that the stroke was very minor and had no lasting consequences, as well as no cause that could be determined by the doctors.
Overkill signed to Spitfire Records
and entered the studio in late 2002 to record their next studio album, Killbox 13
. Produced by the band and Colin Richardson and released in March 2003, the album was actually only their twelfth regular studio album, but the Overkill EP was also counted to achieve the number 13. The album received critical acclaim, combining the "new" Overkill with their raw early style as presented on the debut album Feel the Fire
. Touring for the album included a number of European festivals during the summer, and a full European tour followed in November with Seven Witches
and After All. The band played without Derek Tailer, who was absent for undisclosed reasons. Nobody was hired to fill in for him, so Overkill toured as a four-piece for the first time since 1990. Tailer was still considered a full member of the band.
In late 2004, after a Japanese tour with Death Angel
and Flotsam and Jetsam
, the band started work on another record in D.D. Verni's own recording studio. The album, ReliXIV
, was produced and mixed by the band themselves and released in March 2005.
Overkill toured the eastern US in April 2005, and just before they went on a European tour in May, it was announced that Tim Mallare would not take part in this tour. Replacing him for the tour was former Hades drummer Ron Lipnicki. A few weeks later, the band announced that Mallare had left permanently and Lipnicki was his replacement. In the summer of 2005, Overkill organized their first US west coast tour in more than ten years, playing Western Canada to Southern California. The tour was such a success that the band was added to the 2006 Gigantour
bill, as second stage headliners, marking Overkill's first nationwide US tour since 1994.
, on October 9, 2007. The album featured the lineup of founders Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and D.D. Verni, guitarists Dave Linsk and Derek Tailer , and new drummer Ron Lipnicki. Lamb Of God
vocalist Randy Blythe contributed vocals on the song "Skull And Bones".
On October 30, 2009, it was reported that Overkill had inked a multi-album deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band's next album, Ironbound
— which is described as a true "thrashter-piece" — was released on February 9, 2010.
As of July 2011, according to their website, Overkill has demoed six songs and plans to begin recording a new album in October for an early 2012 release.
Drums
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining from the original lineup. Along with Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
(whose one-time lead guitarist, Dan Spitz
Dan Spitz
Dan Spitz is a musician best known for his work as the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Anthrax from 1983–1995 and from 2005 to 2007. He is the brother of former White Lion and Black Sabbath bassist Dave Spitz.-Personal life:...
, was also an early member of Overkill), the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal bands. The band has a notable mascot named Chaly, a skeletal bat with a skull-like face, bony wings, and green eyes. Chaly has appeared on most of their album covers.
To date, Overkill has released 15 studio albums, 2 EPs, 2 live albums and a "covers
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
" album. They were one of the early thrash metal bands to sign to a major label (Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, in 1986), though Overkill would not achieve commercial success until they popularized "thrash" in the late 1980s with their contemporaries Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
, Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
, Exodus
Exodus (band)
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of over 30 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Guitarist Gary Holt remains the only constant member of the band,...
and Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
. The band achieved its biggest success with their 1993 album I Hear Black
I Hear Black
I Hear Black is the sixth studio album by thrash metal band Overkill in 1993 on Atlantic Records. It was the band's first to feature drummer Tim Mallare.-Overview:...
, which debuted at #122 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
charts, the band's highest ever chart position in the United States.
Early years (1980–1983)
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band "The Lubricunts", featuring Rat Skates
Rat Skates
Rat Skates is a filmmaker, writer and musician. He is most widely known as a pioneer of D.I.Y...
and D.D. Verni.
Verni and Skates placed an ad looking for a guitarist and singer which was answered by singer Bobby Ellsworth and the first incarnation of Overkill was formed.
After rejecting several names, including "Virgin Killer", the band finally settled on Overkill.
Early covers, especially those done under the "Virgin Killers" name, were punk songs by The Ramones, The Dead Boys
The Dead Boys
The Dead Boys were an American punk rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. Among the first wave of early punk bands, the Dead Boys were initially active from 1976 to 1979, briefly reuniting in 1987, 2004 and 2005.-Formation and 1970s punk rock era:...
and others. By late 1980, the band had recruited two guitarists, and the setlist was made up of songs by bands such as Motörhead ("Overkill"
Overkill (song)
"Overkill" is a song by the band Motörhead. It was released in 7" and 12" vinyl pressings in 1979. It is backed with B-side "Too Late Too Late" which appears on the CD re-issues of the Overkill album. Early copies came with a free "Overkill" badge...
, half of the Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades (album)
Ace of Spades is the fourth album by the British band Motörhead. Released on 8 November 1980, it peaked at #4 on the UK album charts and reached Gold status by March 1981...
album), Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
('Tyrant' was their closer), and Riot
Riot (band)
Riot is an American heavy metal band founded in New York City in 1975 by guitarist Mark Reale. Reaching a peak in popularity in the early 80s, the band has continued a long-running successful career....
. Along with the new influx of heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
covers, the band still played a smattering of punk covers, with extra distortion, intensity, and speed, marking Overkill as one of the first thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
bands.
In 1981, guitarists Rich Conte and Bobby Gustafson joined the band.
At this point, the band started writing original songs, including "Grave Robbers" (later renamed "Raise The Dead"), "Overkill", and "Unleash The Beast (Within)". More songs would follow, including "Death Rider" (1981) and "Rotten To The Core" (1982). In 1983 Conte left and Bobby Gustafson remained as the sole guitarist.
The band became a staple at New York and New Jersey clubs, such as L'Amours.
Verni gave Ellsworth the nickname "Blitz" due to his over-the-top lifestyle, a lifestyle that once earned Ellsworth an ejection from the band for a few days in 1983.
Around this time, the classic green logo was adopted, which Rat Skates
Rat Skates
Rat Skates is a filmmaker, writer and musician. He is most widely known as a pioneer of D.I.Y...
specifically designed to stand out on a poster loaded with red and black logos of the other bands on the bill.
Feel the Fire (1983–1986)
In 1983, the lineup of Rat SkatesRat Skates
Rat Skates is a filmmaker, writer and musician. He is most widely known as a pioneer of D.I.Y...
, D.D. Verni, Bobby Gustafson and Bobby Blitz, released the Power In Black
Power in Black
Power in Black is the first demo from American thrash metal band Overkill in 1983, although some songs had been recorded previously, such as The Beast Within.-Band members:* Rat Skates – Drums* Bobby Gustafson – Guitar* D.D. Verni – Bass...
demo, a recording that made as much impact in the underground tape trading circuit as demos by up-and-coming Bay area thrash bands like Exodus
Exodus (band)
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of over 30 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Guitarist Gary Holt remains the only constant member of the band,...
and Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
.
Power In Black
Power in Black
Power in Black is the first demo from American thrash metal band Overkill in 1983, although some songs had been recorded previously, such as The Beast Within.-Band members:* Rat Skates – Drums* Bobby Gustafson – Guitar* D.D. Verni – Bass...
gained the band two compilation appearances. 'Feel The Fire' was included on "New York Metal '84" and 'Death Rider' appeared on volume V of the legendary Metal Massacre
Metal Massacre
Metal Massacre is a series of compilation albums released through Metal Blade Records. It is famous for "shedding light" on bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Overkill, Trouble, Tactics, Armored Saint, and more.-History:...
series.
The band was also able to secure a small recording deal with Azra/Metal Storm Records that resulted in the 1984 four track EP Overkill
Overkill (EP)
Overkill is the first EP recorded by thrash metal band Overkill released in 1984 on Azra/Metal Storm records. The EP is included on the !!!Fuck You!!! And Then Some compilation.- Track listing :# "Rotten to the Core" — 5:14...
, that quickly sold out, instantly pushing the band to the forefront of the fledgling thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
movement.
Though it is said that the band never saw any money from the release, the Overkill
Overkill (EP)
Overkill is the first EP recorded by thrash metal band Overkill released in 1984 on Azra/Metal Storm records. The EP is included on the !!!Fuck You!!! And Then Some compilation.- Track listing :# "Rotten to the Core" — 5:14...
EP garnered the band massive underground interest, and the attention of Jon Zazula, the owner of Megaforce Records
Megaforce Records
Megaforce Records is an American independent record label which was founded in 1982 by Jon and Marsha Zazula to publish the first works of Metallica. It has offices in New York and Philadelphia. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony Music Entertainment/RED Distribution...
, one of the most prominent independent heavy metal record labels at the time.
Megaforce signed Overkill to a new multi-album record contract and released their full length debut album Feel The Fire
Feel the Fire (Overkill album)
Feel the Fire is the debut album by American thrash metal band Overkill, released by Megaforce Records in 1985.-Overview:The band spent the better part of 1985 and 1986 on the Feel the Fire tour, beginning as a support act for Megadeth's Peace Sells US tour and later in Europe with Anthrax and...
in 1985. Hailed by many critics and fans as a thrash metal masterpiece, the album cemented the band's position as one of the driving forces of the east coast thrash movement.
The band spent the better part of 1985 and 1986 touring in support of Feel the Fire
Feel the Fire (Overkill album)
Feel the Fire is the debut album by American thrash metal band Overkill, released by Megaforce Records in 1985.-Overview:The band spent the better part of 1985 and 1986 on the Feel the Fire tour, beginning as a support act for Megadeth's Peace Sells US tour and later in Europe with Anthrax and...
, beginning as support act for Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
's "Peace Sells" US tour and later in Europe with Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
and Agent Steel
Agent Steel
Agent Steel is an American speed metal band from Los Angeles, California that was formed in 1984 by singer John Cyriis ,and drummer Chuck Profus. The band released two full length albums, and one EP before disbanding in 1988...
.
Rise to success (1987–1990)
1987 marked the release of Overkill's second album Taking Over, the first to be released by Megaforce in cooperation with the major label Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. The album featured improved song writing and production and had a somewhat more epic style, showcased in such songs as the anthemic "In Union We Stand". The song was chosen to be Overkill's first music video, used to promote the band through the booming new medium of music television. Another European tour followed, this time opening for Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
.
In late 1987, the !!!Fuck You!!!
!!!Fuck You!!!
!!!Fuck You!!! is an EP released by thrash metal band Overkill in 1987. Consisting of a cover version of the song "Fuck You" , the EP also featured 5 live tracks recorded at The Phantasy Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio...
EP was released, consisting of a studio recording of "Fuck You" as well as a handful of live tracks recorded earlier that year in Cleveland.
1987 also saw the departure of drummer Rat Skates
Rat Skates
Rat Skates is a filmmaker, writer and musician. He is most widely known as a pioneer of D.I.Y...
. He was replaced by Mark Archibole for a few gigs, then on a permanent basis by European drummer Bob "Sid" Falck previously of Paul Di'Anno
Paul Di'Anno
Paul Andrews , better known as Paul Di'Anno, is an English singer best known as the first vocalist to record with the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden, from 1978 to 1981....
's Battlezone.
Overkill released the follow-up to Taking Over, the aptly titled Under the Influence, in 1988. Once again produced by Alex Perialas
Alex Perialas
Alex Perialas is an American audio engineer, mixer, and record producer, best known for his extensive work during the "golden age" of thrash metal in the mid–1980s to early–1990s...
, Under the Influence was much more raw and thrashy, lacking most of the grand and epic atmosphere of its predecessor. Suffering from rushed writing and production, the album is often regarded as a snapshot and a step backwards for the band. The song "Hello From The Gutter" was released as a single, and the music video gained regular airplay on MTV's Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball is a music television program consisting of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV2, MTV Australia, MTV Two , MTV Adria , MTV Brand New, MTV Portugal, MTV Finland, MTV Arabia, MTV Norway, MTV Sweden, MTV Denmark, MTV Greece, MTV Türkiye, MTV...
. Overkill kept up constant touring all over the world, furthering their reputation as one of the most active live metal bands.
Overkill released their breakthrough album The Years of Decay
The Years of Decay
The Years of Decay is the fourth studio album by thrash metal band Overkill. It was released in 1989 on the Megaforce label, with distribution handled by Atlantic Records...
in 1989. It was recorded with famed producer Terry Date
Terry Date
Terry Date is an American record producer and engineer, specializing in the rock and metal genres...
(Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
, White Zombie
White Zombie
White Zombie was a Grammy Award-nominated American heavy metal band. Based in New York City, White Zombie was originally a noise rock band. White Zombie are better-known for their later heavy metal-oriented sound...
, Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
) and featured the band's best production to date. It mixed the raw approach of "Under The Influence" with more complex song structures and epic elements, resulting in a more serious atmosphere and longer songs, including the eight minute title track and the ten minute "Playing With Spiders/Skullkrusher." The uptempo thrasher "Elimination" was released as a single and the music video again received regular airplay on MTV's Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball is a music television program consisting of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV2, MTV Australia, MTV Two , MTV Adria , MTV Brand New, MTV Portugal, MTV Finland, MTV Arabia, MTV Norway, MTV Sweden, MTV Denmark, MTV Greece, MTV Türkiye, MTV...
. The song became a fan favorite and would be played live at every show, even 20 years later. Live support of The Years of Decay
The Years of Decay
The Years of Decay is the fourth studio album by thrash metal band Overkill. It was released in 1989 on the Megaforce label, with distribution handled by Atlantic Records...
took place, in part, on a tour called "Dawn Of The Decade" together with label mates Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
.
And the album has sold 4 million worldwide.
Horrorscope, I Hear Black and W.F.O. (1990–1995)
Merritt Gant
Merritt Gant is a guitarist originally from Millville, New Jersey. Gant is most recognized for his association with the band Overkill....
.
The 'new' Overkill recorded their fifth album Horrorscope
Horrorscope (Overkill album)
Horrorscope is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill. Released in 1991 on Atlantic Records, it was their first album to feature the guitar duo of Merritt Gant and Rob Cannavino.-Overview:...
, again with Terry Date
Terry Date
Terry Date is an American record producer and engineer, specializing in the rock and metal genres...
, in 1991. Featuring the furious riffs and trade-off solos of new guitarists Cannavino and Gant, and the refined songwriting of Verni and Ellsworth, Horrorscope
Horrorscope (Overkill album)
Horrorscope is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill. Released in 1991 on Atlantic Records, it was their first album to feature the guitar duo of Merritt Gant and Rob Cannavino.-Overview:...
quickly silenced fan fears that the loss of a chief songwriter would ruin the band. Today, the album is widely regarded as one of Overkill's defining moments and is arguably their heaviest release. Focusing on a darker, heavier style, the album spawned the doomy single "Horrorscope", a departure from the band's earlier singles, which had traditionally been uptempo songs. The band continued to tour constantly, fully cementing their reputation as one of the premier live bands of the genre.
In 1992, during the Horrorscope
Horrorscope (Overkill album)
Horrorscope is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill. Released in 1991 on Atlantic Records, it was their first album to feature the guitar duo of Merritt Gant and Rob Cannavino.-Overview:...
tour, Sid Falck left the band. Admittedly never a big fan of thrash metal music, Sid said that he had initially wanted to push his drumming to the limit by playing the most complex type of music (of the era), and in time he decided to pursue other musical interests.
Sid was replaced by M.O.D.
M.O.D.
M.O.D. was a crossover thrash band from New York City, fronted by former Anthrax roadie and Stormtroopers of Death vocalist Billy Milano. The band existed from 1986 to 1997, and again from 2001 to 2008...
drummer Tim Mallare, with whom the 1993 album I Hear Black
I Hear Black
I Hear Black is the sixth studio album by thrash metal band Overkill in 1993 on Atlantic Records. It was the band's first to feature drummer Tim Mallare.-Overview:...
was recorded. Produced by Alex Perialas
Alex Perialas
Alex Perialas is an American audio engineer, mixer, and record producer, best known for his extensive work during the "golden age" of thrash metal in the mid–1980s to early–1990s...
(who by now had worked with Anthrax and Testament), I Hear Black
I Hear Black
I Hear Black is the sixth studio album by thrash metal band Overkill in 1993 on Atlantic Records. It was the band's first to feature drummer Tim Mallare.-Overview:...
was the first Overkill album released directly through Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. The album once again presented a change in style, from the heavy thrash of Horrorscope
Horrorscope (Overkill album)
Horrorscope is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill. Released in 1991 on Atlantic Records, it was their first album to feature the guitar duo of Merritt Gant and Rob Cannavino.-Overview:...
to a more stoner
Stoner rock
Stoner rock or stoner metal is a subgenre of heavy metal, combining elements of psychedelic rock, blues rock, traditional heavy metal and doom metal. Stoner rock is typically slow-to-mid tempo and features a bass-heavy sound, melodic vocals, and 'retro' production...
/blues rock
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
-oriented style influenced by Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
. The eclectic nature of the album is often attributed to the fact that many different song writers were involved. Verni and Ellsworth would handle most of the song writing themselves on subsequent albums, with only minor contributions from the other members. A music video was shot for "Spiritual Void" but failed to receive much airplay. The European leg of the 1993 "World Of Hurt Tour" featured Savatage
Savatage
Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1978 at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs, Florida.-Early days :...
and Non-Fiction as support acts.
Overkill's self-produced seventh album W.F.O.
W.F.O.
W.F.O. is the seventh full-length album by thrash metal band Overkill, released in September 1994 on Atlantic Records. The album contains a "hidden songs" on tracks 97 and 98, featuring the band warming up in the studio, playing "Heaven and Hell" by Black Sabbath, and "The Ripper" by Judas...
(which stands for "Wide Fuckin' Open", a common biker
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
term) was released in September 1994 as an answer to the criticism that I Hear Black
I Hear Black
I Hear Black is the sixth studio album by thrash metal band Overkill in 1993 on Atlantic Records. It was the band's first to feature drummer Tim Mallare.-Overview:...
had received. The album presented a fast, heads-down, old school thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
style without any of the experimental
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
elements present on the previous record. The music video for "Fast Junkie" was widely ignored by MTV, due to changing mainstream tastes and limited airplay availability for metal bands. Overkill continued to have bigger success overseas, mounting an extensive European tour in the fall, supported by Jag Panzer
Jag Panzer
Jag Panzer were an American power metal band from Colorado Springs, Colorado.-Biography:Jag Panzer came together in late 1981, being inspired by the onslaught of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal...
and Massacra
Massacra
Massacra was one of France's leading death/thrash metal bands in the early nineties.After recording three demos in the 1980s, they finally landed a deal with Shark Records from Germany, and released their famous debut, 'Final Holocaust' in 1990...
.
With grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
dominating the airwaves in the US, and many heavy metal radio stations changing formats, W.F.O.
W.F.O.
W.F.O. is the seventh full-length album by thrash metal band Overkill, released in September 1994 on Atlantic Records. The album contains a "hidden songs" on tracks 97 and 98, featuring the band warming up in the studio, playing "Heaven and Hell" by Black Sabbath, and "The Ripper" by Judas...
failed to find an audience and in 1995 Overkill left Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. Overkill were happy to leave the mainstream label, where they felt they received little or no attention and signed to different record companies around the world (CMC International
CMC International
CMC International was an American independent record label founded by Tom Lipsky in 1991, focused mainly on classic rock, and classic heavy metal. The label was the haven of many hard rock, arena rock, glam metal and AOR artists in the period when all the majors were investing all their financial...
in the US).
A March 1995 show, once again in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, was recorded for Overkill's first full-length live album, a 100-minute double CD entitled Wrecking Your Neck
Wrecking Your Neck
Wrecking Your Neck is a 2-disc live album released by the thrash metal band Overkill in 1995. A March 1995 show, once again in Cleveland, Ohio, was recorded for Overkill's first full-length live album, and was released in April 1995; with the first pressing featuring a bonus CD containing the...
. The album was released in April 1995, with the first pressing featuring a bonus CD containing the Overkill EP that had been out of print for ten years. A music video for the song "Bastard Nation" taken from Wrecking Your Neck
Wrecking Your Neck
Wrecking Your Neck is a 2-disc live album released by the thrash metal band Overkill in 1995. A March 1995 show, once again in Cleveland, Ohio, was recorded for Overkill's first full-length live album, and was released in April 1995; with the first pressing featuring a bonus CD containing the...
was also released, but again failed to receive airplay in the US.
Post-Atlantic years (1996–2001)
Late in 1995, both Cannavino and Gant decided to leave the band; Rob Cannavino to focus on motorcycle racing, and Merritt Gant to spend more time with his family. To everyone's surprise, Overkill then hired Joe Comeau, former singer of Liege LordLiege Lord
Liege Lord was an American speed/power metal band, active in the 1980s and considered to be a pioneer of the genre. It was formed by Matt Vinci, Anthony Truglio and Frank Cortese....
(now playing guitar). Comeau brought along former Anvil
Anvil (band)
Anvil is a Canadian heavy metal band comprising Steve "Lips" Kudlow , Robb Reiner , and Glenn Five...
guitarist Sebastian Marino, with whom he had worked with in the past. The new line up recorded The Killing Kind in 1996, again self-produced and mixed by Chris Tsangarides
Chris Tsangarides
Chris Tsangarides is a British Grammy-nominated record producer, sound engineer, and mixer. He is best known for his work with many heavy metal bands, including Judas Priest, Anvil, Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy, Helloween, and Yngwie Malmsteen...
(Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
). While staying well within the thrash genre, the album was a departure from its predecessor's more traditional thrash metal style and featured many modern elements such as Hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, while the vocals showed influences from a broad spectrum of music. As Comeau was also a singer, backing vocals on The Killing Kind and subsequent albums were more elaborate and frequent than before, adding another new element to the band's sound. Press response to The Killing Kind was very positive, but the album remains a hotly contested topic among the band's audience, with some longtime fans resistant to the new modern elements, and others hailing The Killing Kind as one of the band's finest moments.
Overkill toured Europe twice in support of The Killing Kind first in February 1996 with Megora and Accu§er, and then again in November with Anvil
Anvil (band)
Anvil is a Canadian heavy metal band comprising Steve "Lips" Kudlow , Robb Reiner , and Glenn Five...
and Stahlhammer
Stahlhammer
Stahlhammer is a Neue Deutsche Härte band from Austria that formed in 1992. They incorporate elements from hardcore, groove metal, industrial metal and symphonic metal into their songs. The band has to this date produced six albums, where the majority of songs are in German...
. In the summer of 1996, Overkill appeared on Volume 2 of Century Media's
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
"Legends Of Metal – A Tribute To Judas Priest" compilation, to which they contributed 'Tyrant', heavily adapted to the band's own style.
In summer 1997, the band released !!!Fuck You!!! and Then Some
!!!Fuck You!!! And then Some
!!!Fuck You!!! and Then Some is a 1996 reissue of the Overkill EPs Overkill and !!!Fuck You!!! , combined with bonus live tracks, including a cover of Black Sabbath's "Hole in the Sky."- Track listing :...
. The album included the !!!Fuck You!!!
!!!Fuck You!!!
!!!Fuck You!!! is an EP released by thrash metal band Overkill in 1987. Consisting of a cover version of the song "Fuck You" , the EP also featured 5 live tracks recorded at The Phantasy Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio...
EP, which had been out of print for some years, along with the classic Overkill EP and two live tracks from a 1990 promo single. October of the same year saw the release of the ninth Overkill studio album, titled From The Underground And Below
From The Underground And Below
From the Underground and Below is the ninth studio album by the thrash metal band Overkill released in 1997 by CMC International. Two cover songs were recorded during these sessions; "No Feelings" by Sex Pistols and "Space Truckin'" by Deep Purple...
. This record retained some of the modern influences from The Killing Kind, while also reincorporating elements from the band's earlier efforts. Some songs on From The Underground And Below
From The Underground And Below
From the Underground and Below is the ninth studio album by the thrash metal band Overkill released in 1997 by CMC International. Two cover songs were recorded during these sessions; "No Feelings" by Sex Pistols and "Space Truckin'" by Deep Purple...
, including "Save Me", even had a slight industrial metal
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
sound to them. Reportedly a video for the track "Long Time Dyin'" was shot, but due to the non-existence of metal in the mainstream media at the time, it is unlikely that the video has ever aired on television. Again Overkill opted to only tour Europe in support of the album, which took place in May 1998, with Nevermore
Nevermore
Nevermore is an American heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1991, they are known to incorporate elements from styles such as thrash, power, progressive, and neo-classical metal into their songs, and also makes use of acoustic guitars and a wide range of vocal styles.-Early years...
, Angel Dust
Angel Dust (band)
Angel Dust are a German heavy metal band. Initially active from 1984 to 1990 as speed and thrash metal band, they dropped their thrash roots in favor of a power/progressive metal sound upon reforming in 1998....
and Nocturnal Rites
Nocturnal Rites
- Biography :The band started off under the name Necronomic playing heavy metal, as can be heard on their demo . This attracted some independent labels' attention, but they turned them down in the hope of a better opportunity...
.
In 1998, Blitz was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of nose cancer and underwent immediate surgery, thankfully in time to catch the cancer before it spread. After his recovery, the band started work on their tenth studio album, and the self produced Necroshine
Necroshine
Necroshine is the tenth full-length album released by the thrash metal band Overkill in early 1999, on CMC International records.It is the first Overkill album to feature a guest vocalist, with singer Blitz's sister Mary Ellsworth performing background vocals on "Let Us Prey" and a duet with Blitz...
was released in February 1999, making Overkill the very first thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band ever to release ten full-length studio albums (Other first wave thrash bands, such as Sodom
Sodom (band)
Sodom is a German Thrash metal trio from Gelsenkirchen, formed in 1981.Along with the bands Kreator and Destruction, Sodom is considered one of the "big three" of Teutonic thrash metal...
or Kreator
Kreator
Kreator is a thrash metal band from Essen, Germany, formed in 1978, but formalized in 1982 under the name Tormentor. They originally performed a speed metal style with Venom influences. Their style of music is similar to their compatriots Destruction and Sodom, the other two big German thrash metal...
would not achieve this milestone until two years later). While once again quite different from the previous records and musically not considered "classic" Overkill, the album was vocally even more experimental than The Killing Kind, and was well received by fans and critics alike.
Soon before the release of Necroshine
Necroshine
Necroshine is the tenth full-length album released by the thrash metal band Overkill in early 1999, on CMC International records.It is the first Overkill album to feature a guest vocalist, with singer Blitz's sister Mary Ellsworth performing background vocals on "Let Us Prey" and a duet with Blitz...
, Sebastian Marino left Overkill to spend more time with his family. He was replaced by Dave Linsk from the New Jersey hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
/thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Anger On Anger. A two-week European trip in June was arranged to fill the gap between appearances at the Dynamo
Dynamo Open Air
Dynamo Open Air was a festival in the Netherlands held every year since 1986, until 2005. Originally held to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Dynamo rock club in Eindhoven, it has grown exponentially since then, and from a 5,000-person attendance in the Dynamo parking lot, it had grown to...
and With Full Force
With Full Force
With Full Force is a metal, hardcore and punk festival held annually in Germany since 1994. The 2011 edition took place on July 1 and July 3 at the Roitzschjora airport in Löbnitz near Leipzig in the Saxon county of Delitzsch.-2010:...
festivals.
September 1999 saw the release of Coverkill
Coverkill
Coverkill is a cover album released by thrash metal band Overkill in 1999. The album consists of cover songs by artists that influenced the band, including Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Ramones, and Manowar.-Track listing:...
, an album consisting entirely of cover versions from bands that were especially influential to Overkill, such as Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
(featured no less than three times), Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
, Motörhead, Manowar
Manowar (band)
Manowar is an American heavy metal band from Auburn, New York. Formed in 1980 the group is known for its lyrics based on fantasy and mythological topics along with their "loud and bombastic" sound...
, and The Ramones. Some of the tracks had been previously available on compilations or as Japanese bonus tracks, but others had been shelved for years (the earliest recording was from the Under the Influence sessions) or were recorded immediately prior to the album's release. A full European tour in support of both Necroshine
Necroshine
Necroshine is the tenth full-length album released by the thrash metal band Overkill in early 1999, on CMC International records.It is the first Overkill album to feature a guest vocalist, with singer Blitz's sister Mary Ellsworth performing background vocals on "Let Us Prey" and a duet with Blitz...
and Coverkill
Coverkill
Coverkill is a cover album released by thrash metal band Overkill in 1999. The album consists of cover songs by artists that influenced the band, including Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Ramones, and Manowar.-Track listing:...
took place in February 2000, as Overkill co-headlined with Canadian thrash metal band Annihilator
Annihilator (band)
Annihilator is a Canadian heavy metal band hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, also from Vancouver, British Columbia between 1987-2002 by founding member, vocalist, guitarist and bassist Jeff Waters. The band has been around since 1984 and is the biggest selling heavy metal artist from Canada in history,...
, with the German band Dew-Scented
Dew-Scented
Dew-Scented is a German thrash metal, death metal band. They have released eight studio albums and are currently signed to Metal Blade Records and Prosthetic Records . Their name is inspired by the writings of Edgar Allan Poe...
in the opening slot.
During the European tour, Annihilator fired their singer Randy Rampage
Randy Rampage
Randy Rampage is a founding member, bass player and occasional vocalist of the Canadian hardcore band D.O.A.. He played on D.O.A.'s seminal early punk albums Something Better Change and Hardcore '81, along with vocalist/guitarist Joe Shithead, drummer Chuck Biscuits and guitarist Dave Gregg in...
due to his disruptive behavior. A few months later, Joe Comeau was confirmed as his replacement, effectively ending his tenure with Overkill. The band returned to the studio, this time as a four piece, and in the fall of 2000 released Bloodletting
Bloodletting (Overkill album)
Bloodletting is the eleventh full-length album released by the thrash metal band Overkill in the fall of 2000, and the first after the departure of guitarists Joe Comeau and Sebastian Marino and the addition of Dave Linsk....
. Once again produced by the band, and mixed this time by Colin Richardson
Colin Richardson
Colin Richardson is a British record producer, mixer and recording engineer. He has worked on over 100 albums, and is most frequently associated with heavy metal and its subgenres such as:*Anathema*As I Lay Dying*Behemoth*Bullet for My Valentine...
.
November of the same year saw the band again touring Europe as a special guest of Halford's
Halford (band)
Halford is a heavy metal band formed in 1999 by Rob Halford, the lead vocalist for Judas Priest. Halford formed the band to return to his heavy metal roots...
"Resurrection" world tour. Since Overkill had not found a new second guitarist yet, Joe Comeau joined on a temporary basis for the tour. For the last couple of shows, the band also utilized another session musician. With D.D. Verni's wife about to give birth to their second child, D.D. was replaced temporarily by Derek "The Skull" Tailer, the bass player in Dee Snider
Dee Snider
Daniel "Dee" Snider is an American singer-songwriter, screenwriter, radio personality, and actor. Snider is most famous for his role as the frontman of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister...
's band S.M.F. In 2002, Tailer was announced as a permanent member of Overkill, although not on bass guitar, but filling the vacant guitarist position.
Spitfire-era (2002–2006)
Wrecking Everything
Wrecking Everything is a 2002 live album by thrash metal band Overkill. Recorded at The Paramount, Asbury Park, New Jersey on March 23, 2002.-Track listing:#"Necroshine" Wrecking Everything is a 2002 live album by thrash metal band Overkill. Recorded at The Paramount, Asbury Park, New Jersey on...
, their second full-length live album, recorded at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The album contained only songs that had not been on Wrecking Your Neck
Wrecking Your Neck
Wrecking Your Neck is a 2-disc live album released by the thrash metal band Overkill in 1995. A March 1995 show, once again in Cleveland, Ohio, was recorded for Overkill's first full-length live album, and was released in April 1995; with the first pressing featuring a bonus CD containing the...
, some simply because they were released on later albums, but also a few early songs from albums such as Taking Over and Under the Influence. The same show was used for Overkill's first ever DVD, Wrecking Everything – An Evening In Asbury Park, also released in 2002.
The European tour in June 2002, supporting both Bloodletting
Bloodletting (Overkill album)
Bloodletting is the eleventh full-length album released by the thrash metal band Overkill in the fall of 2000, and the first after the departure of guitarists Joe Comeau and Sebastian Marino and the addition of Dave Linsk....
and Wrecking Everything
Wrecking Everything
Wrecking Everything is a 2002 live album by thrash metal band Overkill. Recorded at The Paramount, Asbury Park, New Jersey on March 23, 2002.-Track listing:#"Necroshine" Wrecking Everything is a 2002 live album by thrash metal band Overkill. Recorded at The Paramount, Asbury Park, New Jersey on...
saw Blaze and Wicked Mystic opening up for Overkill. During the second to last show of the tour in Nuremberg, Germany, Blitz suffered a stroke on stage and collapsed. For nearly three days, rumors ran rampant, reporting everything from Blitz being in a coma, permanently paralyzed, or even that Blitz had died. Finally, three days later, the band announced that the stroke was very minor and had no lasting consequences, as well as no cause that could be determined by the doctors.
Overkill signed to Spitfire Records
Spitfire Records
Spitfire Records was a subdivision of Eagle Rock Entertainment located in New York, United States.In September 1998, Paul Bibeau founded, launched and rapidly developed Spitfire Records Inc. from a two-man operation located in his home bedroom in suburban Long Island, New York, to one of the...
and entered the studio in late 2002 to record their next studio album, Killbox 13
Killbox 13
Killbox 13 is the twelfth full-length studio album by thrash metal band Overkill in 2003. The name stems from the fact that the band considers this to be their thirteenth release because they include the Overkill EP as their first. "Well, it is the thirteenth, but it’s only really the thirteenth...
. Produced by the band and Colin Richardson and released in March 2003, the album was actually only their twelfth regular studio album, but the Overkill EP was also counted to achieve the number 13. The album received critical acclaim, combining the "new" Overkill with their raw early style as presented on the debut album Feel the Fire
Feel the Fire (Overkill album)
Feel the Fire is the debut album by American thrash metal band Overkill, released by Megaforce Records in 1985.-Overview:The band spent the better part of 1985 and 1986 on the Feel the Fire tour, beginning as a support act for Megadeth's Peace Sells US tour and later in Europe with Anthrax and...
. Touring for the album included a number of European festivals during the summer, and a full European tour followed in November with Seven Witches
Seven Witches
Seven Witches is an American heavy metal band from New Jersey. The band was founded in 1998 by Jack Frost and Bobby Lucas- History :Seven Witches released a Demo-CD in 1998, which gave them a record deal with Massacre Records....
and After All. The band played without Derek Tailer, who was absent for undisclosed reasons. Nobody was hired to fill in for him, so Overkill toured as a four-piece for the first time since 1990. Tailer was still considered a full member of the band.
In late 2004, after a Japanese tour with Death Angel
Death Angel
Death Angel is a Filipino-American thrash metal band from Concord, California, initially active from 1982 to 1991 and again since 2001. Death Angel has released six studio albums, two demo tapes, one box set and two live albums....
and Flotsam and Jetsam
Flotsam and Jetsam (band)
Flotsam and Jetsam is a thrash metal band that formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1982.-1981-1986: The beginning:The band's original name was "Paradox" founded by Drummer Kelly David-Smith and two other guitarists, until 1982 when bassist Jason Newsted joined. Jason had come to Phoenix with his band...
, the band started work on another record in D.D. Verni's own recording studio. The album, ReliXIV
ReliXIV
ReliXIV is the thirteenth full-length studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill, released in spring 2005. The reason the roman numeral 14 is included in the title is because the band includes the Overkill EP in their lineup of studio albums, which would make this album the 14th by their...
, was produced and mixed by the band themselves and released in March 2005.
Overkill toured the eastern US in April 2005, and just before they went on a European tour in May, it was announced that Tim Mallare would not take part in this tour. Replacing him for the tour was former Hades drummer Ron Lipnicki. A few weeks later, the band announced that Mallare had left permanently and Lipnicki was his replacement. In the summer of 2005, Overkill organized their first US west coast tour in more than ten years, playing Western Canada to Southern California. The tour was such a success that the band was added to the 2006 Gigantour
Gigantour
Gigantour is the name of a sporadically organised traveling heavy metal music festival organized by Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. The tour was founded in 2005 with dates across North America, and the 2006 and 2007 line-ups also traveled to Australia...
bill, as second stage headliners, marking Overkill's first nationwide US tour since 1994.
Recent history (2007–present)
Now with the Bodog Music label, the band rejoined forces with Jonny and Marsha Zazula, previous owners of Megaforce Records, who are now part of the Bodog Team in the United States. Overkill released its 15th studio album, ImmortalisImmortalis (album)
Immortalis is the fourteenth studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill.The title of this album follows a pattern that includes the album number in the album title, starting with Killbox 13 and continued with ReliXIV ; "Immortalis" can be read as "Immortal15".-Track listing:* All songs...
, on October 9, 2007. The album featured the lineup of founders Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and D.D. Verni, guitarists Dave Linsk and Derek Tailer , and new drummer Ron Lipnicki. Lamb Of God
Lamb of God
The title Lamb of God appears in the Gospel of John, with the exclamation of John the Baptist: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" in John 1:29 when he sees Jesus....
vocalist Randy Blythe contributed vocals on the song "Skull And Bones".
On October 30, 2009, it was reported that Overkill had inked a multi-album deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band's next album, Ironbound
Ironbound (album)
Ironbound is the fifteenth full length studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill, which was released on January 29, 2010 in Europe on Nuclear Blast Records and in the U.S. on February 9, 2010 on E1 Music...
— which is described as a true "thrashter-piece" — was released on February 9, 2010.
As of July 2011, according to their website, Overkill has demoed six songs and plans to begin recording a new album in October for an early 2012 release.
Members
Current members- Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth – Lead vocals (1980–present)
- Dave Linsk – Lead guitar, Backing vocals (1999–present)
- Derek "The Skull" Tailer – Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals (2002–present)
- D.D. VerniD. D. VerniD.D. Verni , is an American bassist, best known as founding member and longtime bassist/songwriter of thrash metal band Overkill.-Early years:...
– Bass, Backing vocals (1980–present) - Ron Lipnicki – Drums (2005–present)
Former members
Guitar- Rich Conte – Guitar (1981)
- Dan SpitzDan SpitzDan Spitz is a musician best known for his work as the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Anthrax from 1983–1995 and from 2005 to 2007. He is the brother of former White Lion and Black Sabbath bassist Dave Spitz.-Personal life:...
– Guitar (1980–1981) - Robert "Riff Thunder" Pisarek - Guitar (1980–1983)
- Bobby GustafsonBobby GustafsonBobby Gustafson is an American guitarist, best known as a member of the New York based thrash metal band Overkill.-Career:...
– Guitar (1981–1990) - Rob Cannavino – Guitar (1990–1995)
- Merritt GantMerritt GantMerritt Gant is a guitarist originally from Millville, New Jersey. Gant is most recognized for his association with the band Overkill....
– Guitar (1990–1995) - Jeff Kacharo - Guitar (1995-1996)
- Joe ComeauJoe ComeauJoe Comeau is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter from Rochester, New York. He best known for his work with Annihilator, Liege Lord and Overkill.-With Overkill:The Killing Kind - From The Underground And Below - Coverkill -...
– Guitar, Vocals (1995–2001) - Sebastian Marino – Guitar (1995–1999)
Drums
- Rat SkatesRat SkatesRat Skates is a filmmaker, writer and musician. He is most widely known as a pioneer of D.I.Y...
– Drums (1980–1987) - Mark Archibole – Drums (1987)
- Sid Falck – Drums (1987–1992)
- Andy Jones – Drums (1991–1992)
- Tim Mallare – Drums (1992–2005)
Discography
- Feel the FireFeel the Fire (Overkill album)Feel the Fire is the debut album by American thrash metal band Overkill, released by Megaforce Records in 1985.-Overview:The band spent the better part of 1985 and 1986 on the Feel the Fire tour, beginning as a support act for Megadeth's Peace Sells US tour and later in Europe with Anthrax and...
(1985) - Taking Over (1987)
- Under The Influence (1988)
- The Years of DecayThe Years of DecayThe Years of Decay is the fourth studio album by thrash metal band Overkill. It was released in 1989 on the Megaforce label, with distribution handled by Atlantic Records...
(1989) - HorrorscopeHorrorscope (Overkill album)Horrorscope is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill. Released in 1991 on Atlantic Records, it was their first album to feature the guitar duo of Merritt Gant and Rob Cannavino.-Overview:...
(1991) - I Hear BlackI Hear BlackI Hear Black is the sixth studio album by thrash metal band Overkill in 1993 on Atlantic Records. It was the band's first to feature drummer Tim Mallare.-Overview:...
(1993) - W.F.O.W.F.O.W.F.O. is the seventh full-length album by thrash metal band Overkill, released in September 1994 on Atlantic Records. The album contains a "hidden songs" on tracks 97 and 98, featuring the band warming up in the studio, playing "Heaven and Hell" by Black Sabbath, and "The Ripper" by Judas...
(1994) - The Killing Kind (1996)
- From the Underground and BelowFrom The Underground And BelowFrom the Underground and Below is the ninth studio album by the thrash metal band Overkill released in 1997 by CMC International. Two cover songs were recorded during these sessions; "No Feelings" by Sex Pistols and "Space Truckin'" by Deep Purple...
(1997) - NecroshineNecroshineNecroshine is the tenth full-length album released by the thrash metal band Overkill in early 1999, on CMC International records.It is the first Overkill album to feature a guest vocalist, with singer Blitz's sister Mary Ellsworth performing background vocals on "Let Us Prey" and a duet with Blitz...
(1999) - BloodlettingBloodletting (Overkill album)Bloodletting is the eleventh full-length album released by the thrash metal band Overkill in the fall of 2000, and the first after the departure of guitarists Joe Comeau and Sebastian Marino and the addition of Dave Linsk....
(2000) - Killbox 13Killbox 13Killbox 13 is the twelfth full-length studio album by thrash metal band Overkill in 2003. The name stems from the fact that the band considers this to be their thirteenth release because they include the Overkill EP as their first. "Well, it is the thirteenth, but it’s only really the thirteenth...
(2003) - ReliXIVReliXIVReliXIV is the thirteenth full-length studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill, released in spring 2005. The reason the roman numeral 14 is included in the title is because the band includes the Overkill EP in their lineup of studio albums, which would make this album the 14th by their...
(2005) - ImmortalisImmortalis (album)Immortalis is the fourteenth studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill.The title of this album follows a pattern that includes the album number in the album title, starting with Killbox 13 and continued with ReliXIV ; "Immortalis" can be read as "Immortal15".-Track listing:* All songs...
(2007) - IronboundIronbound (album)Ironbound is the fifteenth full length studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill, which was released on January 29, 2010 in Europe on Nuclear Blast Records and in the U.S. on February 9, 2010 on E1 Music...
(2010)