20 years ago, Overkill's debut album, the classic and legendary "Feel The Fire" was released. Through this and its successors, OVERKILL has kept one foot on this landmark release, and let the other take further steps with each continued effort. "RELIXIV" being their 14th studio album, OVERKILL continues carving new and unexplored layers of the metal-face, yet embracing their traditional values. OVERKILL was early on labeled as a thrash metal band, but over the years, the band has proven over and over its sheer unwillingness to be categorized, matching the fans and the media's inability to do so. Anchor-points have always been a fine line between punk, hardcore and metal, but undoubtedly with metal as the enhanced part. Myeself, I discovered the guys with 1988's "Under The Influence", through a rare moment of actual quality being broadcast on MTV. "Hello From The Gutter" Ellsworth screamed from the TV screen, and a 14 year old confused Norwegian accepted the invitation without hesitating a second.

OVERKILL of 2005 sounds brutal as ever, fresh as today and well-built like the past. The band is a unit of five individuals, all adding to the recipe. "This album has it all", main man Blitz states: "Powerful and brutal, but always with a hookline in there". And right he is - Ellsworth's voice being the meat, Verni's pumping bass lines, Tailor's backbone rhythm guitars and Mallare's ferocious drumming being the meat and potatoes, and Linsk's guitar work as the gravy you would sacrifice your left nut for.

The diversity of "RELIXIV" says it all when it comes to this band - be it the pounding "Within Your Eyes" or "Love", the groove of "Loaded Rack" or "Bats In The Belfry", the haunting aggressiveness of "A Pound of Flesh" or the closing "Old School" - a little Ramones-ish nod to the New York roots. This band is a multiple opponent to the easy way of thinking, yet an essential companion to the art of satisfactory living.

OVERKILL has both tours and festival appearances lined up for the most of 2005, and if you haven’t witnessed this beast live on a stage before, you can consider yourself invited. 2000+ shows down the gritty line, OVERKILL still ranks as one of the scenes`s most ferocious live acts, and the band’s importance is more paramount than ever.

I have been a fan of Overkill for more than 17 years, and you can count me in until the grim reaper comes for us all. Who said a 14 year old Viking never makes any right decisions?

Overkill Band Members:

Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth - vocals
Dave Linsk - lead guitars
Derek Tailer - rhythm guitars
DD Verni - bass
Tim Mallare - drums