Artist: Overkill
Label: CMC
Release Date: 10/26/99
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Title: Coverkill Artist: Overkill Label: CMC Release Date: 10/26/99 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
Well I guess it's come to this. One of my favorite bands has come out with a Garage Inc. of their own. When this recent trend of cover/tribute albums first came to light in the mid-eighties I was way on board. But it's gotten so overblown that I can't really justify it anymore. I'm a big fan of Overkill, but this mixture of punk and old hard rock/classic metal songs really doesn't have much of a purpose. In all honesty I don't think they did a very good job on most of the songs. "Never Say Die" sounds terrible in my opinion, and their version of "Deuce" is also sub-par (surprisingly having a lot to do with Blitz's vocals). There are some standout tracks, "Overkill" and "Changes" and "Cornucopia" came out quite well, but they in no way are remotely as interesting as the originals. Some of the lesser known (to me) punk songs on the album are interesting, but I have nothing to really compare them to. It is important for a band to know where it comes from, but in all honesty, it's not really important for us, the fans, to know. So basically covers should stay where they belong, in rotation during live sets, and not full price in the metal section of your local record store. I have to give it a pretty good rating because it is Overkill and there really isn't anything wrong with it or its presentation But let's face it, any cover album is little more than a novelty.
"One of my favorite bands has come out with a Garage Inc. of their own."
Death's Review:
I love Overkill. Always have, and always will. Blitz' unique delivery and DD & Co.'s straightforward and uncompromising attack garnered a special place in my heart early on, never to relinquish their accumulated good will. In fact, while each of their mid-to-late eighties thrash peers one-by-one traded in their credibility for varying degrees of mainstream acceptance, the 'Kill stayed true. Together with the band's down-to-earth demeanor and do-it-yourself attitude, the aforementioned integrity has earned my enduring respect.
Thus, my OK-loyalist status makes this review all the more difficult to write. Unfortunately in this instance, Coverkill, like most Overill offerings, delivers exactly what it sets out to: a rehashed collection of leftover punk and classic rock covers. While the record is(1) somewhat fun; (2) undeniably 'Kill; and (3) a must-buy for any of the band's enduring supporters; it lands with little impact. Part of the fun of the recent wave of metal bands doing covers has been the new spins on old METAL favorites -- band's are now covering the tracks from ten to fifteen years ago that, until now, had never been fully elevated to classic status. We've all heard enough Black Sabbath covers to last a lifetime, but listening to someone do say Metal Church's "Beyond the Black" could be somewhat fresh. Unfortunately, "fresh" is the last word that comes to mind when litening to this release.
"My OK-loyalist status makes this review all the more difficult to write." Coverkill mines the wrong territory to sustain my interest for too long. First off, the twelve song collection contains no less than three Sabbath covers, although these songs are at least somewhat more obscure choices than bands sometimes make when going to the Sabbath card. Of these, "Cornucopia" packs the most punch, standing out as probably the highlight of the record. With a great, raw Sabbathy guitar tone and an intense delivery from Blitz, the excellence of this track really only illustrates the mediocrity of the balance of the record.
Other tracks are at least somewhat interesting. The choice of a Manowar cover is a step in the right direction, and the subtle melody of the track ("Death Tone") serves as a nice platform for the band. I also like "Hymn 43," which brings back memories of college parties where Aqualung was often cranked loudly as part of the obligatory rediscovery of classic rock that it seems all eighteen-year-olds need to go through. And, of course, Blitz screaming the climax to Tyrant, by the almighty Priest, sharing vocals with the excellent Joe Comeau on the rest of the track, is first rate. If I hadn't already owned this song as part of Century Media's Judas Priest tribute from a few years back, I might have been more excited.
"At least half of these songs are taken from prior recording sessions." In fact, at least half, and I'd suspect perhaps all, of these songs are taken from prior recording sessions. Be they b-sides, bonus tracks, or just unused material, it would have been more fun to hear 1999-era Overkill enter the studio with a fresh intent to pay tribute to the greats. It is, however, fun to be able to hear "lost" materal from the Horrorscope or Under the Influence sessions. Thankfully, the origin of tracks like "I'm Against It" and "Ain't Nothin' To Do" are identified as such.
The packaging of this record is actually outstanding. The front cover looks indecipherable at first, until one realizes that it is an amalgamation of all the album covers from the cover tracks included inside. Of course, Chaly presides and incorporates the band's trademark green hue. The notes inside, written by D.D. and Blitz, address each track in turn and are fun to read. In the end, Coverkill is a decent purchase if you are a long-time fan, providing insight into Overkill's influences and, of course, supporting a worthy cause.
"Coverkill is a decent purchase if you are a long-time fan." Yet I just can't get psyched about covers by the Sex Pistols, Dead Boys, the Damned, Deep Purple, and Kiss. And that constitutes a major chunk of this record. If you are a casual Overkill supporter, skip the record and instead check out the band's current tour, where they're currently playing classics like "Shred," "Spiritual Void," "E.N.D.," amd "Deny the Cross," next to more recent favorites like "Revelation" and "Long Time Dyin'." Sad to say it, but this album only merits 2 Skulls. Can't wait for the next Overkill studio release!
Hel's Review:
If someone told me that a band did a cover of an Overkill song, I'd think, "That's cool, I should pick that up." My favorite band doing a bunch of covers of other band's songs? I'm buying it! Overkill has been my favorite band for a decade plus, so it's a no-brainer for me when something new comes out. I pick it up on the day it's released, cover album or not.
So I pick up Coverkill, and the first thing that strikes me is the simple but clever addition of the letter "c" to the Overkill logo to make up the album title. And Charlie's on there - it looks promising. The accompanying booklet consists of blurbs from Blitz or D.D. (usually both), basically telling us why they picked these songs. Stop right there, and it's definitely a must if you're a big Overkill fan.
"It doesn't matter how great a band is, they're not breaking new ground with a cover album." The music is exactly what you would expect. Overkill doing these songs with their style. Nothing more, nothing less. What is unexpected is the dead-on Ozzy impression Blitz pulls out for "Changes." I've never heard Sabbath covered better.
This is a good album for you if you like covers. It's a good album for you if you'd like a primer on where Overkill came from, musically speaking. It's a good cover album. But that's what it is, a cover album. It doesn't matter how great a band is, they're not breaking new ground with a cover album. And I don't think a band ever puts out a cover album to break new ground, but for other reasons. Whatever the reason for this cover album, I'm just happy to go to the store and buy an Overkill record. Because it's Overkill and because, considering the fact it's a cover album, it's great, this one earns three skulls.
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