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Overkill
Immortalis/Live At Wacken Open Air 2007
(EOne Entertainment)
The Urban Dictionary defines a nutswinger as ‘someone who hangs from someone’s nuts; someone who follows ever move they make’. Although such a description may indeed lack originality and specificity, it does, for better or worse, accurately summarizes my feelings for prototypical Thrash Metal icons Overkill. In fact, for as long as I can remember, I’ve been a disturbingly-dedicated fan of the group’s distinctive sound and menacing, streetwise imagery. Although I may have become temporarily disenfranchised with the group during the From The Underground And Below era, I continued to find solace amid my well-worn copies of Under The Influence, The Years Of Decay and, to a lesser extent, the group’s Atlantic Records swansong W.F.O. Now, nearly thirty years later, long after my once-insatiable penchant for all things ‘…Green And Black…’ had been squelched, I again find myself intrigued by the highly-anticipated re-issue of the group’s 2007 opus Immortalis.
On the stellar Immortalis/Live At Wacken Open Air 2007 (2010), an expertly assembled twenty three (!) song collection of Thrash-tinged Heavy Metal, each track, beginning with the slow-building dirge “Devils In The Mist”, the Randy Blythe-fueled “Skull And Bones”, and the maddeningly infectious “Bats In The Belfry”, immediately command the rapt and undivided attention of all parties involved. Deftly silencing the few misguided souls still doubtful of their ability to succeed amid the less-than-friendly confines of the current Heavy Metal scenes, the group sinks its collective teeth into a series of bloodthirsty compositions guaranteed to leave both clueless newcomers and die-hard completists alike only wanting for more. Showcasing their more than considerable lyrical and technical prowess without burying the ‘…proverbial average listener…’ amid an avalanche of inanely-complex redundancies, the group wastes little--if any--locking down on an airtight groove.
Continuing with the self-explanatory “Pound Of Flesh”, the mosh-inducing “Walk Through Fire”, and the curiously-titled “Chalie Get Your Gun”, the steadfast--to say the very least--combination of vocalist Bobby ‘Blitz’ Ellsworth, lead guitarist Dave Linsk, rhythm guitarist Derek ‘The Skull’ Tailer (Dee Snider, Fa-Q and Speed Kill Hate, to name only a few), bassist D.D. Verni and drummer Ron ‘The Animal Lipnicki (ex-Hades, Havochate) steamrolls ahead like the well-oiled machine they so obviously have become. Driving home each ‘key focal point’ with a previously unparalleled fervor, the group wastes little--if any--time engulfing all parties involved amid a veritable avalanche of gritty vocals, searing fretwork and imaginatively punishing rhythms. Wisely improving upon the arguably-ingenious ReliXIV (2005), the group once again proves themselves worthy of the highest of critical and commercial accolades while remaining reminiscent of their ‘prototypical pedigree’.
Fortified throughout via the inexplicably-overlooked Live At Wacken Open Air 2007 DVD and a bevy of live ‘…bonus tracks...’, other standouts, including the relentlessly pummeling “Within Your Eyes”, the scalding--albeit thought-provoking--“Nice Day...For a Funeral”, and the equally impressive closer “Blood And Iron”, only further solidify the woefully-unsung Thrash pioneer’s indisputable reputation as a bona fide creative force not to be ignored. Tweaking their overall compositional processes with a brazen ease, the group proves themselves indisputably worthy of the staggering wealth of pre-release hype. A definite must-have for anyone with a genuine and sincere appreciation for all things Heavy Metal and Heavy Metal-related, even if you somehow find yourself less than enthralled with the group’s occasionally single-minded perseverance, one must, at the very least, sincerely admire the tenacity undoubtedly necessary for such a significant ‘undertaking’.
But is it really worth it? Absolutely! Boldly offering what can only be described as a highly-effective Progressive variation of the ‘tried-and-true’ tonalities that initially propelled them to the dizzying heights of international acclaim, the majority--if not all--of the decidedly tuneful wares contained herein are seemingly destined to single-handedly rejuvenate a rapidly declining sub-genre. Although one might effectively argue that the undeniably resplendent Immortalis ultimately lacks the intestinal fortitude necessary to succeed beyond the group’s already notoriously rabid target demographic, one must, at the very least, sincerely admire the improbably long-running quintet’s uniquely bloodthirsty dedication to perfecting their ‘…craft…’. As a result, if you’ve once again grown tired of the painfully mindless din and clatter that is so often forced fed en mass, then this, my friends, might just be the high octane cure for what ails you. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Select Discography
Immortalis -- Live At Wacken Open Air 2007 (CD/DVD) (2010)
Ironbound (2009)
Live At Wacken Open Air 2007 (DVD) (2008)
Immortalis (2007)
ReliXIV (2005)
Killbox 13 (2003)
Wrecking Everything: An Evening In Asbury Park (DVD) (2002)
Then And Now (2002)
Hello From The Gutter: The Best Of Overkill (2002)
Extended Versions (2002)
Wrecking Everything (2002)
The Masters Of Destruction: Live From The Longhorn (2000)
Bloodletting (2000)
Coverkill (1999)
Necroshine (1999)
From The Underground And Below (1998)
!!!Fuck You!!! And Then Some (1996)
The Killing Kind (1996)
Wrecking Your Neck (1995)
W.F.O. (1994)
I Hear Black (1993)
Live To The Core (EP) (1992)
Horrorscope (1991)
Hello From The Gutter (1990)
The Years Of Decay (1989)
Under The Influence (1988)
!!!Fuck You!!! (EP) (1987)
Taking Over (1987)
Feel The Fire (1985)
Overkill (EP) (1984)
Power In Black (EP) (1984)