Customer Reviews

Bloodletting

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unlike other bands, Overkill continues to pound out hard hitting heavy metal. This album is raw and hard, Blitz and D.D. have changed but not changed Overkill's sound again.

It starts with Thunderhead, chugs full steam into Bleeding Me and keeps punching with What I'm Missin'. I don't want to go over every song but this album simply does not relent in it's neck-snapping, ear pounding groove. I will say this, Can't Kill a Dead Man has "the sound". Dave Linsk does something that sends shivers down my spine and the song itself just keeps coming.

My favorite album is still From the Undeground and Below but I'm going to recommend this album to heavy metal fans, because Overkill fans already have it.

It's going to be awhile before this album leaves the disc changer.

I've been listening to hard rock/heavy metal since I was 11 years old and my 1st album was "Van Halen II". Since then, there have been some epic album releases in the rock/metal genre. Among them are Megadeth, "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying", Machinehead, "Burn My Eyes", and many, many others. I've been listening to Overkill since 1986's "Taking Over" was released, usually with indifference. That was until the album "W.F.O." was released. Since then, Overkill has ruled the metal roost, at least in my opinion. On the latest effort, Overkill prove to be as heavy as ever, and there seems to be the intangible of "more enthusiasm" on this release. I feel we can thank Dave Lensk for this renewed feeling. Anyhow, this newest CD, simply stated is "brutally wonderful". The guitars crunch, the rhythm section pounds and Blitz just sounds great. There's no techno-junk on this CD, just straight ahead metal. Believe me, I know there is a market out there for this stuff. The "heavy metal bands of today" like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, etc. all could learn a valuable lesson from Overkill. But I hope they don't. Overkill has found a niche in the metal scene, and they are taking advantage of it with their loyal, large fan base. By the way, those above-mentioned bands all suck. Preferred selections on this CD are "Thunderhead", "What I'm Missing", "I, Hurricane" and "Left Hand Man". Not to mention the rest of the tunes. You can put this CD in your player, and leave the remote on the desk, there's never a need to stop and forward past a song. By the way, if you haven't seen this band live, you are missing something great. I've had the pleasure of seeing Blitz and the Boys 5 times, and just like their CD's, the live shows NEVER DISAPPOINT. Thanks Overkill for recognizing that TRUE HEAVY METAL is alive and well!!!

It's been a while since I've listened to Overkill, and I'm amazed at how evolution has changed them very little. This cd just blew me away. I loved everything in this cd and picking a favorite is tough. Well the one song that really put the hook in me is When Death comes out to play. Even though they lost Dave to Anniahlator, Overkill is still strong. And might I mention that D.D. Verni is one of my favorite bassist of all time. If you like Hard Core Knuckle Grinding Metal, than I would definitely recommend this album.

For pure meat and potatoes, in your face, by the books power metal, one can turn no further than Overkill. Whipping out albums like bands should put them (that's right, these boys ain't lazy!), Overkill has no intention of slowing down. Veterans of the Eighties speed metal faction, Bloodletting is pure aggression. Only a couple of iffy songs on this album, but the shining moments far outweigh the dull ones. "Thunderhead" pretty much describes itself. "What I'm Missing" isn't missing anything. "I, Hurricane", "Death Comes Out To Play", and "Bleed Me" are classic Overtunes. D.D. loves that 8 string bass, as well as he should, he's a great bassist in my opinion. The line-up has changed once again however, but by now, no one cares, because this band just flows no matter what. I'm not sure if anything will stop these guys. Pure crunch from a pure metal band, these guys are worthy of their own star on the metal walk of fame. Head stomping guitars and echoing bass lines are Overkill signature trademarks. Combine that with straight ahead lyrics and Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth's electrified caterwaul, and you have yourself another fine piece of Overkill craftmanship.

This band is incredible. Since "W.F.O.," Overkill has churned out some of the greatest metal CDs the world will ever bestow. Picking up where "Necroshine" left off, "Bloodletting" is a steady exercise in what heavy metal is all about. Great riffs, great lyrics, great vocals, and a great headache to everyone within a mile of this CD, which begs to test the limits of your speakers. Stand out tracks include "Let It Burn" and "Left Hand Man," which is to say that these songs have played the most on my CD player, while the other eight remain close behind. You'll live a shameful existence without putting Overkill in your metal collection. "Bloodletting" is a fine place to start.

On 'Bloodletting' Overkill displays a stronger thrash sound than they did on some of their late 90's albums, though it is still not a pure thrash album, as it still has quite a bit of groove and a generally darker and more modern sound. 'Bloodletting' is also the most flatly aggressive Overkill album I've heard, with a snarling, nasty guitar sound and some fairly rough production for the era with one of Blitz's edgiest vocal performances ever. It hasn't got as much pure, consistent speed as early Overkill, but it's got quite a lot of thrash in it, and the groove stuff tends to be a bit faster and more energetic than that sorta stuff usually is. All in all, the album isn't as immediately catchy or memorable as much of their other work, but it's got a sorta fire and raw intensity which makes the album work very well. Definitely recommended.

Blitz's performance isn't as varied or strong as he often is, but his more aggressive, less varied style fits the general feel of the album pretty well. The leadwork on this album is really quite stunning, some of the very best I've ever heard on an Overkill album. The drums don't draw too much attention to themselves, but he does a fine job of balancing speed and groove, and they throw in some very fast, effective snare fills. The double bass work is quite nice too. The drums have an interesting sound, very punchy but pretty thin and sharp. Lotsa modern albums have a tough time finding a drum sound that works, but 'Bloodletting' manages it.

'Bloodletting' is a bit front stacked, as it opens with four excellent tracks. 'Thunderhead' is one of the more modern tracks on the album, with a fun, catchy chorus, and a fine mix of speed and groove. 'Bleed Me' is a bit thrashier, a bit faster and still pretty catchy, with a nice, relatively low-key middle break. 'What I'm Missing' is probably my favorite track on the album. It's most notable for the outstanding leadwork throughout the song, and some powerful, raging drumming, particularly during the instrumental breaks. The core of the song is strong too, however, with a particularly melodic chorus. 'Death Come Out To Play' displays the blunter, darker sound of the album, but with perhaps the finest collection of riffs on the album, and a slow, pounding mosh break in the middle. Great vox too. Another very strong track. The rest of the tracks are all good, though not all of them are all that distinct or distinguished. 'My Left Hand Man' has a bit of the classic Overkill attitude, but with the heavier darker sound. Another fun, catchy chorus and a nice, if somewhat pointless introduction. 'Blown Away' is a relatively epic, multipart track with some nice atmosphere and some more melodic vocals to go along with the bruising, generally fairly slow riffwork. 'My Name is Pain' is one of the most energetic songs on the album, with nice gang vox and powerful drumming. It also recalls the sorta sneering Overkill attitude, but again with some more darkness and aggression.

Overkill is good. This album blows away most of the supposed thrash comeback albums that we've been hearing, so check it out.

This album is just great to listen to. It is heavy, but in a way that flows and rips through your body like an avalanche of ear-hammering sound. The guitars spit out riffs clear and loud; the drumming is ballistic in places, and really makes you want to jump up and down. The vocalist sometimes varies his singing to flow with the grinding guitars, other times you really feel like singing along to the brutality of it all. Overall, a highly enjoyable album for any metal fan; it's just as heavy as much of the death metal around today, but this music is melodious - something that only seems to exit in experienced bands who reigned in the 80's. The music seems to hold a fantastic rhythm in places where you feel other bands would slip. Buy this now!

This is one of Overkill's better albums. The production and vocals are more refined than earlier albums but not their best to date. Fast riffs and screaming vocals never let up on 'Thunderhead' and 'Death comes out to play'. First 4 songs are the best part of the album by far. If your into speed metal you won't be disappointed.

It's sad because these guys will never get the recognition and respect they deserve. These guys know how a heavy, hard rockin' album is supposed to sound... [Heck], they've been doing it for years, they should know. These veterans have made an album that completely demolishes any of the psuedo-metal out there(I don't even need to mention names. We all know who these [people]. It's too bad that most of the younger generation that thinks that heavy metal started with Korn will probably never hear Overkill and give them a honest shot... Well, I will admit that is true, but all I can say is that Overkill do what they do, and know how to do it better than just about anyone in their area. I just can't suggest this album enough(as well as most of their back catalogue as well come to think of it) if you like your sound hard and heavy...

I've been an overkill fan since "I Hear Black" and honestly wasn't sure what to expect from the newest album. Since quite a few metal bands have been burying their riffs under vocals (i won't mention any names but the bands name begins with M . . . like we want to listen to them for their singing) I wasn't sure if Overkill would pull off a listenable album. I was blown away from start to finish with this album. Every song rocks. Hard core metal. The riffs don't stop. I've been listening to this album for about 9 months straight. If you liked "From The Underground and Below" and "WFO" (which is number 2 in my overkill fav list . . . bloodletting rocketed to number 1) then I think you will definitley enjoy "Bloodletting". In my opinion its their best album to date. Buy a copy for yourself and then buy a couple for your friends. They will thank you. Wreck your Neck.