ALBUM REVIEW: Overkill, “Live in Overhausen”

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 18/05/2018

Label: Nuclear Blast

Overkill are now fully established as the Motorhead of thrash:  a lean mean killing machine that defies age and just keeps on delivering the goods while upping the ante each time.

“Live in Overhausen” 2CD//DVD//DD//2LP track listing:

1. Coma

2. Infectious  

3. Blood Money

4. Thanx For Nothin'

5. Bare Bones

6. Horrorscope

7. New Machine

8. Frankenstein

9. Live Young Die Free

10. Nice Day - for a Funeral

11. Soulitude

12. Raise The Dead

13. Rotten To The Core

14. There's No Tomorrow

15. Second Son

16. Hammerhead

17. Feel The Fire

18. Blood and Iron

19. Kill at Command

20. Overkill

21. Fuck You

The Review:

Overkill return with a double live album after last year's excellent studio effort, “The Grinding Wheel”. Instead of a career spanning greatest hits set, or even a compendium of track's from their last four stellar albums the band have gone for something a little different. Indeed, New Jersey’s finest have opted to re-visit their “Horrorscope” and “Feel The Fire” albums. In full. In track list order. Oddly, the set starts with the chronologically later album, “Horrorscope”.

So, you get 21 tracks over either two CDs (plus DVD or Blu Ray) OR you can fork out for two double LP sets; one for each album. I have opted for the CD and DVD this time around as I simply can't justify buying that and two double LP sets- that really is a big ask, even for a dedicated fan.

This review only focuses on the audio part of the release: it is superb. In fact, this is easily the best Overkill live album. “Wrecking Your Neck” suffered a little from a flat sound, whilst “Wrecking Everything” was an improvement, it still did not capture the full intensity of the band. This time around the band has nailed it. This is one intense performance with the band firing on all cylinders and ably assisted by guest drummer Eddie Garcia of Pissing Razors.

I saw one of the shows on this tour and the band were on fine form, and clearly building up to this performance in Germany. The sound is excellent; full and clear with 1500 German maniacs ably assisting the band by rowdily cheering along and chanting the band's name between songs. The material form “Horrorscope” sounds fantastic with the beefed up modern production and the songs shine. The band retained their punk-ish edge even through the more complex and dark material on offer here and it is still regarded as one of their best, over a quarter of a century later.

The real draw for me, though, is the performance of the “Feel The Fire” album. It stands shoulder to shoulder with “Kill Em All”, “Shown No Mercy”, “Fistful of Metal”, “Bonded By Blood”, “The Legacy” and “Killing is My Business...” for me- and I prefer it to nearly all the records on that list! Overkill's debut was and is a thing of marauding beauty- matching Maiden-esque guitar runs with thrash speed and punk like aggression. To hear the band sounding so vital and revved up on this thirty-something year old material is a treat. “Rotten To The Core” is superb, the extended middle section of the title track (Higher... Higher... Feel The Fire!!!) is as dramatic as it is spine tingling. Metal perfection! The run of great tracks on the album is astonishing; “Hammerhead”, “Blood and Iron”, “Kill at Command...” thrash metal does not get any better.

The CD/DVD is actually pretty good value- you get two full albums live and a DVD for your money: not bad! As stated before, forking out for both vinyl sets is pretty steep, but if you love one album and are not too bothered about the other, you can choose. I'll pick up the “Feel The Fire”set when I have the cash. Ah, who am I kidding, I'll get the “Horrorscope” one as well!

Overkill are now fully established as the Motorhead of thrash:  a lean mean killing machine that defies age and just keeps on delivering the goods while upping the ante each time. Compare their recent output to any of the other big thrash names. Overkill are streets ahead in intensity, hunger, material and work ethic. This expansive live release may well test your wallet, but the band passes the thrash exam with flying colours.

“Live in Overhausen”is available here

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Testament - "Live At The Fillmore", "Demonic", "The Gathering", "First Strike Still Deadly", "Live At Endhoven '87" (Reissues)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Reissue

Date Released: 26/01/2018

Label: Nuclear Blast

When at their best, as on “The Gathering”, there are few thrash bands who are their equal.

"Live At The Fillmore" (1995), "Demonic"(1997), "The Gathering"(1999) (remastered by Andy Sneap) "First Strike Still Deadly"(2001), “Live At Eindhoven '87"(2009)

The Review:

Testament's career is generally viewed as being a little behind the pace of the Big Four, but not by too much. Cursed with a late start via their debut of “The Legacy”, they followed it up impressively with “The New Order”, got a little more catchy on “Practice What You Preach” and then... lost their way a little chasing Metallicaand then Pantera'scoat tails. The records they released in the first half of the 90's were thus a mixed bag- great moments, weaker moments, thrash, no thrash and so on.

These welcome reissues, then, remind us of what a potent force Testament returned as via a shot of more extreme metal and an iron will. These reissues cover a couple of live albums- from 1987 and 1995 and then their studio output from 1997 into the new millennium. Let's be clear, Testament at their lowest ebb were still one of the best metal bands around, and so if “Live at The Fillmore” catches them on tour after the release of the album “Low”, it cherry picks the best tracks from their career to that time. It's a solid and punchy listen- if maybe lacking the “lightning in a bottle” x-factor that, say, “No Sleep Til Hammersmith” has. It works as a fine live best of- most of the best album tracks are represented. 1987's “Live at Eindhoven”catches the band at the very start of their international career and the performances are rough, ready, energetic and fiery. Both releases are really for fans only. For me John Dette being on drums makes “Live at The Fillmore” superior for me. He is one of the very best drummers in thrash. He played with Anthrax, filling in for the equally majestic Charlie Benante and he absolutely blew Paul Bostaph away- who must have been having an off night!

1997's “Demonic” is a superb and surprisingly extreme listen. Chuck Billy introduced some very extreme elements to his vocals to excellent effect and the overall impression is of a band revitalised and out-heavying the competition (Metallica and Megadethwere at career low points musically at this point, Anthrax were effectively inactive and Slayerwere coming off the back of their worst studio album). Eric Peterson was firmly at the helm as usual, with Chuck ably upping his game and the mighty Gene Hoglan stepping in on drums. While Alex Skolnick was not present, Greg Alvelais proved a worthy replacement with Greg Ramirez rounding out the studio line up. The death metal influence is strong and the record finds the band doing what they want to do- trends be damned. Great performances all around and impressive writing; what a great come-back record! It also sounds great- tight and clear with lots of weight to the production.

However, with “The Gathering” in 1999, the band hit an all time high. Dave Lombardo delivers a masterclass in thrash metal drumming (thanks Aaron!) and all the material is top notch. From the massive opener “DNR” to “Hammer of The Gods”, this is a thrash tour de force from a time when no-one was releasing such records. There are some classic tunes on here- “Riding The Snake”, “3 Days in Darkness”, “Legions of The Dead”. Every track is prime Testamentand is right up there with “The Legacy”and “The New Order”- with much better production. The fact that it is, in my view, Testament's best makes it one of the best thrash albums of all time. Chuck proves on this one that he is one of the best and most versatile vocalists in metal, while the chemistry between Peterson and Lombardo is sublime. Steve Digiorgio helping out on bass really helps the cause too- metal royalty! As a final boost, Andy Sneap's production is excellent.

“First Strike...Still Deadly”rounds out the studio releases and is one of my favourite Testament records. Whilst some fans may moan about the band re-recording their earlier classics and the clinical sound, I loved this at the time of release and still do. The sound is excellent, the performances are uniformly good (John Tempesta on drums this time around) and the song choices are stellar. Having Steve Zetro Souza come back for a couple of very early compositions is a nice bonus and overall I would recommend buying this over and above the first two studio albums! That may well not be a popular view, but there it is.

The verdict on this set of re-issues? Three essential releases and two live albums of good to great quality. Testament are usually mentioned in the same breath as Exodusand Overkillas being just outside the Big Four, but that is not to say that they don't knock all of Anthrax'swork plus half of Slayer's, Megadeth's and Metallica's discography into a neatly cocked hat. When at their best, as on “The Gathering”, there are few thrash bands who are their equal. After an extended break while Chuck Billy dealt with cancer, Testamentreturned and to date have released three great studio records from 2008 onwards. A classic band.

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Accept - "The Rise Of Chaos"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 04/08/2017

Label: Nuclear Blast

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“The Rise of Chaos” is precise, prescient, presented superbly in terms of artwork and production and, more importantly, rocks as hard as anything I have heard this year. A tour de force.

“The Rise of Chaos” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Die By the Sword

2). Hole in the Head

3). The Rise of Chaos

4). Koolaid

5). No Regrets

6). Analog Man

7). What’s Done is Done

8). Worlds Colliding

9). Carry the Weight

10). Race to Extinction

The Review:

Accept are back with a new-ish line-up and ten new songs. I'll put this out there straight away: I am a big fan of the Mark Tornillo fronted “new” Accept. “Blood of Nations” and “Stalingrad” were every bit as good as the Udo-fronted band's classics from the early eighties. “Blind Rage” was a very big commercial success for the band, but I found it a touch measured, a little too melodic and, well, just not quite heavy enough for my tastes (although “Stampede” is a true classic opener).

“Restless and Live” followed it as a very fine live 'career best of' and really gave great value for money for the fans. With “The Rise of Chaos”, the band deliver ten tracks over 45 minutes or so... and each track is balls to the wall metal!

No ballads here, and the record itself is a balanced mix of the hardest of hard rock (AC/DCon steroids) and the most Germanic of metal. Opener “Die by the Sword” has all the Accept trademarks in place; sandpaper lead vocals, Teutonic choir vocal backing, razor sharp riffing and rock solid rhythm section. It's a fine statement of intent and the record maintains that momentum throughout. It's a focused and often furious listen.

The song themes range from the dark and dystopian (the title track) to a more light-hearted, if curmudgeonly, view of the world (“Analog Man”). This is not a concept record per se, but as well as looking back to the past for comfort it also references darker events in “Koolaid”, via the Jonestown Massacre. For the most part, though, the record is firmly rooted in the present. The title track is a damning indictment of where the world is in 2017 and this is perhaps one upped by the storming “Carry the Weight”- a fleet of foot hook fest with some very contemporary political references. Is this the first metal album to reference Brexit?! Maybe.

The record is not as relentlessly dark as “Stalingrad”, but perhaps hits a note similar to “Blood of Nations”- but for my money this is a more intense listen. It's so focused and so relevant to the here and the now that I think the band have a real winner on their hands. Instead of pursuing more melodic writing, the band have gone back to their true strengths: riffs as tough as steel and hooks as catchy as anything else out there.

I can't find anything to fault on this album at all; the production is superb and state of the art, the individual performances of old and new members alike are stunning (Wolf Hoffmann is as flawless as ever, Peter Baltesditto, Mark Tornillo excels) and while the band may have lost Hermann Frank and Stefan Schwarzmann (a huge shame- even if we got The German Panzer out of their departure) they have gained Uwe Lulis and Christopher Williams on guitar and drums respectively.

If you happen to be a fan of old school metal in the vein of early Maiden, Dio-Era Sabbath, NWOBHM's best acts, Judas Priest and so on, then Acceptwill be right up your strasse, the band have managed to really breathe life into the latter part of their career and recapture the spark and inspiration that made them Germany's truly classic metal band in the 80's. The band are not thrash, but have the heaviness to appeal to any fan of, say, Overkill. They are not hard rock, but your average AC/DC nut would find much to enjoy here. “The Rise of Chaos” is precise, prescient, presented superbly in terms of artwork and production and, more importantly, rocks as hard as anything I have heard this year. A tour de force.

“The Rise of Chaos” is available here

Band info: facebook



ALBUM REVIEW: Overkill - "The Grinding Wheel"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 10/02/2017

Label: Nuclear Blast

This album is a stone cold killer. I have written it and said it before and I will do so again here: Overkill are the best thrash metal band on the planet.

“The Grinding Wheel” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Mean Green Killing Machine (7:29)

2. Goddamn Trouble (6:21)

3. Our Finest Hour (5:49)

4. Shine On (6:03)

5. The Long Road (6:45)

6. Let's All Go To Hades (4:55)

7. Come Heavy (4:59)

8. Red White And Blue (5:05)

9. The Wheel (4:50)

10. The Grinding Wheel (7:55)

The Review:

Overkill are back again with “The Grinding Wheel.” First off, it's a cracker. The band has been in a purple patch now for a decade. “Immortalis” was a strong swing into form and then they followed up with the career highpoint of “Ironbound”. “Electric Age” was a similarly awesome and a straightforward thrash record and then “White Devil Armoury” was also an absolute ripper. In my view, the band are at an all time creative high. After a thirty year career and counting, that is some achievement.

With a stable line up in effect for the last decade, I pressed play with high hopes. First impressions? The band are performing at the top of their game. Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth is ageless. He gives a strong performance throughout and one that is more intense than men half his age. The Dave Linsk/Derek Tailer guitar partnership is in full effect (catch them live; what a team!) and DD Verni locks down the low end, while Ron Lipnicki brings the rhythms with consummate professionalism on what appears to be his swansong with the band. Don't worry, I saw Eddy Garcia play drums with them in 2016 and he slayed.

Opener “Mean Green Killing Machine” is seven and a half minutes of hard as nails thrash. For those of you who have been looking out for the advance tracks, “Goddamn Trouble” is up next - tales of high speed misdemeanour abound on this thrasher; look out for the Deep Purple reference and the nostalgia-triggering tape-into-dash verse!

The thrash fest continues through “Our Finest Hour” while “Shine On” is a mid paced stomper that Overkill often throw in on their best albums. “The Long Road” is very hooky after a lengthy and lead- laden intro, packing a very memorable “Onward! Upward!” refrain. At ten tracks, Overkill have delivered a good lengthy record here. The first five fly by- even with song lengths almost all north of six minutes! The second half is just as strong; “Let's All Go To Hades” is kind of like a Motorheadtype track, which is fitting, considering Overkill's consistency and longevity. It has a strong memorable hook and the lyrics are rather poignant. The band mix things up here and there, of course, and throw in “Come Heavy” here for a groove laden departure. It's a fine moment for the album and recalls Sabbath at their most playful with a wonderful loping feel.

Overkill always had more rock and roll to them than the likes of Slayer and you can often hear echoes of bands such as AC/DCand Motorheadin their records- this is a good thing and reinforces the working class ethic of the band: nothin' fancy; just thrash metal. “Red White and Blue” has a strong “liberty or death” message- with a difference- and is a thrashing wake up. “The Wheel” and “The Grinding Wheel” round the album out in style. The last two tracks feel like companion pieces to one another, the former being a very catchy revved up anthem, the latter being something of a moody epic, Overkillstyle.

Having listened through the record multiple times now, I can confidently state that it is a winner. It's immediate and showcases everything that Overkill do well. The production is warmer than “White Devil Armoury” and somewhat less processed than the previous three albums. The drums are a little more organic sounding and the album benefits from this less machine like feel. The aforementioned rock 'n' roll feel comes from this, in my estimation.

With Nuclear Blast delivering a broad range of formats (I have pre-ordered the vinyl and limited CD with a bonus track) there is choice for the collector and casual fan alike. Once again, the label deliver in terms of formats, value for money and packaging. The front cover looks good too- with its gears-locked-in-place visual it absolutely conjures up the right imagery. For a band like Overkill, this is important as they sell a fairly consistent amount of albums, I believe, and have a recognisable brand and sound. They make an album, promote it by touring and then make another one. Professionals to the last.

If you have never heard Overkill, by all means start here... or any of the previous three albums... or “Horrorscope”, “Years of Decay”, “Feel The Fire”, “From The Underground and Below” and so on. For me, this record is kind of a cousin to 1994's “WFO”; similar thematically and even in production style. Will it win over new fans? It should. Overkill are operating in the kind of bracket that Motorhead did; they've always been around, they've always put out albums every two years or so, their records are always at least good (often great) and they have ALWAYS been under-appreciated. Get on board now, before it's too late. This album is a stone cold killer. I have written it and said it before and I will do so again here: Overkill are the best thrash metal band on the planet. Enjoy them while they are still here.

“The Grinding Wheel” is available here

Band info: official || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Vader - "The Empire"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 04/11/2016

Label: Nuclear Blast

Death metal with a hefty dose of thrash sums up what Vader were and are about. This album has moments of steady rolling, thrash pacing and blast beats. Quite simply, this is an excellent Vader album.

“The Empire” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Angels of Steel (2:16)

2. Tempest (2:41)

3. Prayer to the God of War (2:47)

4. Iron Reign (4:37)

5. No Gravity (4:08)

6. Genocidius (2:59)

7. The Army-Geddon (4:10)

8. Feel My Pain (3:24)

9. Parabellum (2:28)

10. Send Me Back to Hell (3:32)

The Review:

Polish veterans Vaderfollow up the excellent “Tibi Et Igni”with this; “The Empire”. Death metal with a hefty dose of thrash sums up what Vader were and are about. This album has moments of steady rolling, thrash pacing and blast beats. Quite simply, this is an excellent Vaderalbum. We all have our favourites, “De Profundis” or “Black to the Blind”... even the aforementioned last record they put out (mine, as it goes!). Rest assured, this album is up there with their best work.

The production is crystal clear and very precise. The drums in particular are superb; punchy and with a fine balance of high and low end. The vocal performance of Piotr throughout is excellent but to be fair, all band members are on top form here.

From the off, you know what you are getting. Stand outs? Well, opener “Angels of Steel” and “Iron Reign” really stand out for me, but you cannot argue with any of the ten tracks offered up to the gods of war here. I can see all of the tracks standing up well in the live arena (I saw them earlier this year with Overkill- they slayed). The songs are reassuringly concise- no fifteen minute epics here; you get short sharp shocks aplenty. Riffs, solos, leads... chugging passages. This is proper metal.

The album is strong from front to back with “Send Me Back to Hell” being every bit as immediate as the opener. Vaderhave created a very strong record here. If you like Vader, you will like this album. If you haven't heard them and are considering doing so, starting with this album and working backwards would be a fine move. If the later person is you, I envy you; I wish I was discovering this band again.

Vader have been in the game since the early eighties, they know how to deliver high quality metal and they do so by the (tank) shell full here. A tour de force of a modern death/thrash album. Buy it and then bang your head!

“The Empire” is available now

Band info: facebook

FFO: Morbid Angel, Slayer, Decapitated, Behemoth

ALBUM REVIEW: Testament - "Brotherhood of the Snake"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 28/10/2016
Label: Nuclear Blast

In simple terms, this is an excellent thrash album which reaches the heights of Testament's classic records. With ten tracks of quality you cannot lose. This is vicious and state of the art. Highly recommended.

“Brotherhood of the Snake” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Brotherhood of the Snake (4:14)

2. The Pale King (4:51)

3. Stronghold (4:00)

4. Seven Seals (5:39)

5. Born In A Rut (4:59)

6. Centuries of Suffering (3:34)

7. Neptune's Spear (5:26)

8. Black Jack (4:22)

9. Canna Business (3:52)

10. The Number Game (4:38)

The Review:

Testament are the band most often mentioned as the band just outside of the Big Four of thrash (I think Overkillis up there as well). Certainly, they are the band that Metallica could have been had they stuck to their roots and guns- if Lars wasn't involved, anyway.

With Gene Hoglan on drums, the musicianship here exceeds anything that Ulrich has even thought about in the last twenty five years. Sure enough, Hoglan blasts off on the title track as Peterson supplies brutal riffage. Testament 2016 is on top form. They have been building up a head of steam for the last decade; “The Formation of Damnation” was a very good record, as was “The Dark Roots of Earth”. This is even better. It is a feast of thrash all the way through. It blows away their tepid early 90's records. It is up there with career high points (the two most recent albums certainly count) such as “The Legacy” and “The Gathering”. Track after track, this is a relentless beating.

It is fantastic to hear that the Bay Area thrash bands that matter have still got it. With Exoduscoming off a decade of really solid albums, Testament are also vying for the West Coast crown. To be fair, Death Angel are also on the form of their lives at the moment too. It is a good time to be a thrash fan. Skolnik produces lead pyrotechnics as per, while Chuck Billy remains one of the best thrash vocalists (and certainly the most versatile). “The Pale King” is a stormer, “Stronghold”is a muscular beast, “Seven Seals”sounds absolutely vintage in content and delivery, “Born In a Rut” is catchy and menacing... the album is only half way and already it is a winner.

The latter half of the album is just as vicious- it kicks off with a real banger in “Centuries of Suffering” and does not let up form there. The material here is concise and epic sounding- no mean feat- while the band are playing with some real fire in their bellies. As “Neptune's Spear” and “Black Jack” sprint past, the album is nearly over. It is an engaging listen and an easy album to listen to all the way through, too. “Canna Business” expresses thoughts that many readers will agree with and “The Number Game” is an excellent closer.

In simple terms, this is an excellent thrash album which reaches the heights of Testament'sclassic records. With ten tracks of quality you cannot lose. This is vicious and state of the art. Highly recommended.

“Brotherhood of the Snake” is available everywhere now

Band info: facebook

FFO: Metallica, Exodus, Death Angel, Overkill