| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING Mean Green Killing Machine Goddamn Trouble Our Finest Hour Shine On The Long Road Let's All Go To Hades Come Heavy Red, White & Blue The Wheel The Grinding Wheel Release Date: February 10, 2017 Label: Nuclear Blast Records Website: www.wreckingcrew.com www.facebook.com/OverkillWreckingCrew www.twitter.com/OverkillBand |  |
OVERKILL IS:
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth - Lead vocals Dave Linsk - Lead guitars & backing vocals
Derek "The Skull" Tailer - Rhythm guitars & backing vocals D.D. Verni - Bass & backing vocals Ron Lipnicki - Drums
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth - Lead vocals Dave Linsk - Lead guitars & backing vocals
Derek "The Skull" Tailer - Rhythm guitars & backing vocals D.D. Verni - Bass & backing vocals Ron Lipnicki - Drums
Honestly, is there anything else that needs to be said about Overkill? They've kept their reputation as one of the most consistent thrash bands ever since the release of Feel The Fire in 1985. They deserve a lot more credit for being one of the thrash bands that have stayed true to their sound and even being able to survive during the 90s in metal's darkest period. Instead of taking the turn into mainstream territory or throwing in the towel, the train kept rolling and to this day, is showing no signs of pressing on the brakes. Overkill have been enjoying a great amount of success in the last few years with Ironbound, The Electric Age and White Devil Armory. Their brand new album The Grinding Wheel still contains the thrash elements we've all come to love from Overkill, but it seems that the band chose to focus more on groove this time around, and I'm not saying that's a bad thing at all.
Captivating choruses are found throughout the album, namely on the grooving opener "Mean Green Killing Machine" and "Goddamn Trouble". Bobby Blitz is sounding fantastic as usual. He sounds like he's in his prime with those ultra-high shrieks. As I mentioned above, there's more groove on this album and some great examples of this would be "Shine On" and "Come Heavy". The latter, as cheesy as the title may sound, is such a headbanger with a bouncy swinging groove guaranteed to get you moving. You can't help but smile and nod as Blitz yells "Come heavy, or don't come at all". The production is as sharp as ever and just a bit better than White Devil Armory I think. The riffs coming from the arsenal of Dave Linsk and Derek Tailer are among some of the finest they've ever played, and D.D. Verni and Ron Lipnicki are on fire in the rhythm section.
We then come to "Red, White & Blue" and "The Wheel", where the band head back into classic thrash territory. They're followed by the closing title track, which is the track that ties the whole album together. Just try not to get goosebumps as you listen to the last 2 minutes of the track, it sounds so haunting. When you hear it, you'll know what I mean and it can be referred to as Overkill's "Hallowed Be Thy Name". The album's only flaw is "Let's All Go To Hades". Musically, it's not terrible, it's just that the lyrics in the song lean more towards the silly side. Aside from this minor flaw, Overkill continue the winning streak of quality albums, and The Grinding Wheel is proof that after 35 years, there's still plenty of gas in the tank. This album just grabs you by the balls and punches you in the face like any Overkill or thrash record should.
Highs: "Mean Green Killing Machine" and "Come Heavy".
Lows: The somewhat silly lyrics on "Let's All Go To Hades".
Final Rating: 8/10
Captivating choruses are found throughout the album, namely on the grooving opener "Mean Green Killing Machine" and "Goddamn Trouble". Bobby Blitz is sounding fantastic as usual. He sounds like he's in his prime with those ultra-high shrieks. As I mentioned above, there's more groove on this album and some great examples of this would be "Shine On" and "Come Heavy". The latter, as cheesy as the title may sound, is such a headbanger with a bouncy swinging groove guaranteed to get you moving. You can't help but smile and nod as Blitz yells "Come heavy, or don't come at all". The production is as sharp as ever and just a bit better than White Devil Armory I think. The riffs coming from the arsenal of Dave Linsk and Derek Tailer are among some of the finest they've ever played, and D.D. Verni and Ron Lipnicki are on fire in the rhythm section.
We then come to "Red, White & Blue" and "The Wheel", where the band head back into classic thrash territory. They're followed by the closing title track, which is the track that ties the whole album together. Just try not to get goosebumps as you listen to the last 2 minutes of the track, it sounds so haunting. When you hear it, you'll know what I mean and it can be referred to as Overkill's "Hallowed Be Thy Name". The album's only flaw is "Let's All Go To Hades". Musically, it's not terrible, it's just that the lyrics in the song lean more towards the silly side. Aside from this minor flaw, Overkill continue the winning streak of quality albums, and The Grinding Wheel is proof that after 35 years, there's still plenty of gas in the tank. This album just grabs you by the balls and punches you in the face like any Overkill or thrash record should.
Highs: "Mean Green Killing Machine" and "Come Heavy".
Lows: The somewhat silly lyrics on "Let's All Go To Hades".
Final Rating: 8/10
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