This is it, the 20th anniversary of the signing of OVERKILL's first record deal, and after 14 full-length records, they show no signs of slowing down. Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth, and D.D. Verni have been grating on everyone's thrash nerves since...well, a long time now. From one guitarist to two, from a drummer known as "Rat Skates" to to an album called "Fuck You! And Then Some", these blue-collar thrashers have always hit the mark. Rotten to their NYC core, they know how to rock. The heyday of 80s thrash had major players that had great influence on the metal scene, and few had the balls that these guys have. This new record is no exception to the rule that they had a hand in writing.

"RELIXIV" has all the punch and aggression OVERKILL fans have come to expect. Blitz's vocals are as raw and raunchy as ever, D.D.'s bass lines could restart someone's heart. The band rounds out with long-time drummer Tim Mallare, and guitar czar Dave Linsk (spreading that trademark OVERKILL wall of sound since 2000) along with second guitarist Derek Tailer (NOT Derek Smalls!) adding more fuel to the fire. The record is not a far cry from the standard OVERKILL sound, but these guys know who their fans are, and they don't give a shit about anyone else. Subsequently, the disc is chock full of ripping tunes from one end to the other, with my nods going to the heavy riff-crazy "Bats in the Belfry", Bobby's vocals ranging the full spectrum from chant to all-out scream. When you close your eyes, you can picture the pit churning to that one. The power of "A Pound of Flesh" moves at breakneck speed from the start, and never letting up - the patented OVERKILL stamp is all over the place. They're one of those bands that you can recognize just by their riffs. The CD ends with a "salute" to the beginnings of the band with a song called "Old School". The band shows that they can have a little fun too with crunchy guitars, and an 80s 'Megaforce Records' kind of feel. Overall, this is not a groundbreaking release, but it is steady, heavy, and undeniably OVERKILL. These boys show no mercy, so just try to hang on.

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: www.wreckingcrew.com

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