Wow – Overkill are back, and in a big way. Now, I’ve never been a rabid fanboy, but I’ve always been pretty fond of most of their early material. Post-Horrorscope though, the thrash legends had their share of ups, downs and line-up changes. Ironbound though, is set to change that. I can say with the utmost confidence that this is by far the best material the band has penned since Horrorscope and/or The Years of Decay, no shit.
First, I have to mention Mr. Bobby Blitz – he hasn’t sounded this good and venomous since, well, probably ever, and is the perfect match to Dave Linsk and Derek Tailor’s rampaging riffs and leads. Speaking of riffs, you won’t find a dull one in sight – every riff is just a monster. Every lead and solo is full of win. The kit battery of Ron Lipnicki is crushing, and of course the bass work of DD Verni is thunderous, full of energy, and thankfully not buried in the mix. To put it simply, the band is on fire; tight as hell and at the height of their game, even after all these years.
Ironbound opens with it’s longest song, “The Green and Black”, a raucous thrash romp that sets the tone perfectly. This is followed up by the relentless title track and the super hooky “Bring Me the Night”. The latter songs main riff is eerily similar to that of Diamond Head’s classic “Helpless”, but I’d have to imagine this was coincidence rather than by design. No matter either way though, as that riff just flat out kills. They bring it back a few notchs with the mid-paced groovers “The Goal is Your Soul”, “Give a Little” and it’s highly memorable chorus, and the stripped back “The Head and Heart”. “Endless War”, “In Vain” and album closer “The SRC” are high-octane tunes, while “Killing For a Living” is another barn stormer with a twist – Blitz begins each verse with a semi-spoken, semi-sung part before breaking into the song proper, which really makes it standout in a good way.
There’s nothing left to say – it’s Overkill fer fucks sake, and they’re kicking more ass than they have in years here with Ironbound. Dig it.
