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Overkill - RelixIV
by Dustin Hupe ..

For over 20 years Overkill has been kicking ass with their speed metal madness of double bass, speed guitar, and vocals that have been rightly described as guttural. It's a formula that's proven to work, and like they say "If it ain't broke don't fix it". If you're looking for a new sound or a new direction look away now. If you're looking for that crazy, headbanging, mosh pit, frenzy that Overkill has so graciously provided for us time and again, then welcome back my friend. There is no trend jumping here, nor has there ever been with Overkill. Ever since I first saw them in those metal videos you could get in the mail each month, they have stayed consistent and true to their roots, something that's hard to find anymore.

RelixIV starts out slow but soon builds up to what you were expecting with "Within Your Eyes" that features more double bass than in earlier albums but it's definitely a good thing. It then moves into "Love" but despite the name you will find no mushy crap here. The riffs are crunchy and accented by Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth's unique voice. "Bats In The Belfry" keeps with the solid style that we've come to expect. "Play The Ace" shows how guitarists DD Verni and Dave Linsk are more riff oriented this time around. And my favorite song on the CD "Old School" a thrashy tribute to old school metal.

This album is entirely self-produced by the band to get the feel that they wanted. "We try to bring the same attitude to the record as we do on stage." said Ellsworth. And after 14 full length studio albums spanning 20 years they should know how. It reflects the band's love for the music, you know that you love it when you almost die of a stroke and keep going. This album is also a continuation of the work on "Killbox 13" and is fairly similar, showing once again that you don't have to change keep kicking ass. Like Biohazard, Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, and the other bands from the New York / New Jersey metal scene of the 80's and 90's they have stayed down to earth and haven't betrayed their fans.

So like a case of hearing loss, they showed up, they kicked ass, and they stayed. In a time when you favorite band can become you least favorite over the course of one album, Overkill has refused to jump through hoops, or follow trends. If they do something it's because they want to and not because it's the "hot" thing to do. Anyone new to the metal scene or that wants to play metal should check out this album for basics and then how to kick it up. It's for all metal fans regardless of "sub genres", speed, death, black, all will find this one to be an instant classic. It's for seasoned fans and new fans alike, Overkill has rocked and still continue to rock with the celebration of their 20th anniversary.

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