AAaahh Overkill, to me they are the foundation of all my thrash dreams, hopes and wants. They started for me with their 2nd album Taking Over and I was hooked, the music, the anger, the dark humor and just the overall sonics that they sent to through my speakers. I say sonics because when I listen to music I want to hear EVERYTHING and I love how D.D. Verni’s bass playing was so prominent (W.F.O. greatest. sound. ever) and still is for the most part and which brings us to the latest White Devil Armory.
The album starts of with a obligatory intro and just tears into “Armorist”. Holy crap! You got to just love/appreciate the power that Overkill can still put forth. Driving fast paced riffing and the double bass drumming keeping pace. Gotta thank the band for the addition of Ron Lipnicki on drums, he is on album #4 (not counting single, Ep’s and live stuff) with the Kill and he has just gotten better and better. He has added a solid and diverse recording here and plenty of ear candy and air drumming to be had. (Listen to “Its All Yours” for some of this. If you have heard any Overkill albums you know what you are getting into and the formula hasn’t changed too much “Blitz” still has the vitriol and passion in his voice and DD’s playing is heard ( a few little bass moments that I love) Ron and Derek both have the guitars locked down.
The songs range from the raging thrashers and mid paced numbers. Also I have noticed has of the last 4-5 albums each have a song that starts in one way sound wise and then mid way changes dynamics where you almost think it’s a different song. I think this is great and offers some variety and sometimes the riffing just grabs you. “Bitter Pill” offers this song structure briefly. “Freedom Rings” is mid paced thrasher with that double bass there again. “King of the Rat Bastards” has a slight Exodus feel with the riffing and the gang style background vocals.
As with Iron Maiden and their mascot Eddy, Overkill has continued with the Charly has cover theme and overall tie in with past albums and has a unifying band visual. I like, how overtime different artists have interpreted the bat winged skull motif in some stunning visuals. Production has been handled by the band and have created a stellar sounding album. with all instruments sounding clear, loud and with a good guitar crunch, they seem to have learned lessons from past producers well. So yes, Overkill do not disappoint and released a good album to continue to offer stability to my thrash dreams.
