Overkill - The Electric Age

I've been waiting with bated breath for this album to appear and finally here it is! The album opens with "Come & Get It" which is a thrash-tastic headbanger. The song has a wicked viking breakdown chant which just puts a huge smile on my face while I drive the young children from the room with the volume dial steadily turning to the right. As with many thrash bands the production of an album is thin but on The Electric Age the band once again have a premier metal sound which is not only thick and full but clear and crisp. The songs all have the space to fill the room without being muddy or distorted.

As the album unfolds I am finding it a much more accessible listen than their last album Iron Bound which isn't saying they have changed anything to be commercial the songs are little less complicated overall and a more old school in their structure as well. The excellent "Wish You Were Dead" is one of the songs more reminiscent of past glories and then it is followed by a stomp-er called "Black Daze" that has very Pantera-esq groove metal feel. Both song completely different but sound comfortable and at home on the album. Even "Black Daze" has a very Dimebag solo in the song hitting the Pantera comparison home.

I have to admit I wasn't too impressed with "Save Yourself" as it came off weak and boring with little guitar pyro or a catchy chorus. The band begin to right the ship again with "Drop The Hammer Down" which is a bit overwrought. Once those two track are over with they get back to something a little more punchy and bouncy with "21st Century Man" that makes me want to thrash around my living-room again. The gang vocal chant in the song made me think of "Hey There Poser" from the Cycle Sluts From Hell song "I Wish You Were A Beer". The turnaround is complete with "Old Wounds, New Scars" that is about as ferocious Overkill can be considering Evil Ernie's vocal abilities oops Bobby Ellsworth can muster with his more nasal wickedness.

Overkill have once again recorded a really good album that has plenty to hit the pit to. The band nearly out do themselves with "All Over But The Shouting" which is as close you can get to Hello From Gutter era Overkill without just singing those songs. I have to say this is a thrash classic and a welcomed new song into my listening rotation. The lyrical content of The Electric Age's closing track is as good as the smoking thrash melody that is crushing you as you listen. The album starts strong sounds a little tired in the middle but then finishes incredibly strong. My ears thank you Overkill for finally giving me something new to listen to this year that isn't formulated, even though I like lots of pop. Heavy metal is my favorite genre of music and this satisfies my metal heart nicely.