Artist: Overkill
Label: Spitfire Records
Release Date: 6/18/02
Rating: 4 Skulls
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Title: Wrecking Everything Artist: Overkill Label: Spitfire Records Release Date: 6/18/02
Rating: 4 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Famine (6/19/02):
Out on this road, payin' this toll
make me whole, set the stage
fill it with anger, fill it with rage
no, I don't know what is today
I know it falls in the years of decay
self-sacrifice, every night
and together we paid a price in blood
that spilled out through the years
look to the black, drawn farther back
look to each day, see the decay
times I've had, good and bad
win or lose, this what I choose-- OverKill "The Years Of Decay"
I was introduced to live OverKill in 1988. At the time, they were supporting Under The Influence (Nuclear Assault opened). This experience cemented the relationship I had developed with the band over the previous three studio albums. I managed to claw my way to the second row, taking god knows how many combat boots to the head on the way. It was loud, hot, violent and sweaty. This was fucking OverKill! Blitz's stage presence was simply awesome and the band crushed. They had, indeed, come to shred. And Blitz slapped my outstreched hand. My fucking heroes.
It was only a few years later (probably after witnessing the violence that the Horrorscope tour incited) that I was able to declare OverKill my favorite band. As time went by, band members dropped by the wayside, but Blitz (vox) and D.D. (bass) held the course churning out album after album. And when thrash became a dirty word, OverKill continued to smack me upside the head with new tunes on a yearly basis - that's when they became legends in my book.
So, by now I've seen the band live countless times. An OverKill concert is a night out with my pals. Am I going to buy the new OverKill live album? Stupid fucking question. This thing is the musical equivalent to a photo album of crazy nights gone by. A testament to the last few years of decay. And you know what? They made this thing for people like me, friends of OverKill. First of all, they managed to put out a live disk without repeating any of the shit that was included on the last live record, Wrecking Your Neck. I guess they know I already have it. Second, they threw on some gems from the last few studio albums that haven't been covered on a live album, yet. And, finally, they busted out some old favorites from the first few albums - some of that stuff, I haven't heard in years. Talk about a trip down memory lane!
Of course, from a fan's perspective, there's a downside. The album is too short. A catalogue as deep as OverKill's could justify a double album, possibly a triple. Lay it on me, I'll buy it. This band hasn't lost a step. They sound great live. With OverKill (and probably very few other acts) it is justifiable to take a bunch of songs off of different studio albums and give them the raw energy of the live setting along with a consistent mix.
But if you are not a fan, should you buy this album? No. Well, only if you are so inspired by this review that you want to support this thrash legend's most recent effort. Support the arts, so to speak. Otherwise, buy Wrecking Your Neck, become a fan and then supplement your collection down the line with Wrecking Everything. Wrecking Your Neck is probably the superior live release based on both song selection and the fact that there is twice as much music.
Simply stated, if I could make a few recommendations to the casual OverKill fan, it would be to own Wrecking Your Neck and Wrecking Everything and to go drink beer and thrash around when they come to your town. Without minimizing the band's accomplishments in the studio, it's all about live OverKill.
And to the fans: add Wrecking Everything to your collection.
And me? I'm looking forward to the DVD.
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