Kill Box 13

Over Kill | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 25, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Spitfire
• ASIN: B00008MHBK
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #207,985 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Devil by the Tail

2. Damned

3. No Lights

4. The One

5. Crystal Clear

6. The Sound of Dying

7. Until I Die

8. Struck Down

9. Unholy

10. I Rise

Editorial Reviews

Their 13th album, the boys from Jersey have delivered a modern thrash metal masterpiece that succeeds in both stroking that seminal fire and moving the band into the new century. Produced by Colin Richardson. Spitfire. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 'Kill is back!, March 25, 2003

By 

David D. Melanson (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kill Box 13 (Audio CD)

Overkill can best be summed up in one word: Consistancy. You can always count on them to produce an album which stays (for the most part) true to their roots while experimenting with new styles here and there. There have been a couple stumbles along the way (such as "I Hear Black," which upon further reflection really IS a good album...but it could have been so much better had it not sounded like it was produced in somebody's bathroom) but for the most part, the metal machine that is Overkill has rumbled along at full throttle for the past 18+ years and shows no signs of stopping.

Killbox 13, semi-aptly named (it's their 13th all-studio release, provided you count their all-cover-tune release "Coverkill"), can be considered a snapshot of their entire career, with the ten songs each sounding like a blend of styles from all of their albums. "Struck Down," for example, sounds much like it could have easily been present on their first full-length release "Feel The Fire," while "I Rise" could have been part of the "Taking Over" era...and "Until I Die" reminds me somewhat of "Burn You Down/To Ashes" from "The Killing Kind." "Crystal Clear" is my current favorite track, a cut that sounds somewhat like a blend of "Skullkrusher" (from "The Years Of Decay") and "Spiritual Void" (from the aforementioned "I Hear Black"), while "The Sound Of Dying" smokes along somewhat like "F.U.C.T." ("From The Underground And Below")...except a little slower, a good deal heavier, and even catchier.

Production is as monstrously heavy as it's been on the past few albums, with all instruments clearly voiced. Tim's drumming is as tight and punchy as ever. D.D. Verni's unmistakable driving bass sound is prevalent on all the tracks, laying down a furious foundation for the well-oiled machine. Lead guitarist Dave Linsk gets to stretch out a little more than he did on the previous album, delivering plenty of superb solo breaks in and amidst the controlled chaos. And vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth sounds as P.O.'d as ever... (I can't say much about Derek "The Skull" Taylor 'cept to say he finds his niche just fine in the live shows...)

Suffice it to say this is pure Overkill...and while it will probably not win them many new fans, those of us who already know how to finish the statement "We don't care what you say" will be more than satisfied with the results.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good on all counts, however..., April 8, 2003

By 

Tom (Knoxville, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kill Box 13 (Audio CD)

Granted Blitz and the boys aren't going to keep writing and releasing Horrorscope every single album just for me, but I come to every Overkill album with that expectation.

This is a good album, but it's not a great album. It's perfectly solid, well thought out, well put together recognizable Overkill, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately what that give us is more of the same. When the songs all sound similar enough that I can't keep the titles straight easily, I know that it hasn't grabbed me in the way that the earlier efforts have.

Still my praise and devotion at the temple of Overkill is not misplaced, if only that they keep doing it. They haven't let me down yet. Now that I've reached an age where many of my metal heroes are dying off or fading out, it is refreshing that Overkill keeps grinding away.

The album is worth the money. Just go get it and give it a shot.

Tom

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evil NEVER dies, March 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Kill Box 13 (Audio CD)

Overkill cannot be killed..yet another great ablum from the Thrashing jersey boys.They wont sell out and will be playing till there 90.Easiest way to sum the album is song by song.In no particular order.

1.Devil By The Tail--Very catchy MELODIC(yes melody) beginning riff...good chorus..and even better break down in the middle section...sounds a lot like the break in New Machine.Great song.

2.Damned--Good groovin song ..compares much to Save Me..sounds very much like it was recorded From the Underground and below sessions.

3.The One--Very steady paced song with interesting mobster sounding story.Also good chorus as well.

4.As I Die--Good melodic beginning with many guitar harmonies...a bit strange and new for over kill...but none the less heavy...and terrific dynamics and break in the middle section.

5.Struck Down--PURE overkill oldschool..thrashy..double bass driven...EXCELLENT middle section..with backing vocals from the rest of the band.And some kick[ing] solo's!

6.I rise--Starts out slow..then kicks in with a COMA'ISH thrash attack thats relentless through the whole song..fast AND furious..great break also.And the backing HOLLARS r also back in this oldschool classic.

7.Crystal Clear--Or SKULLCRUSHER part2 i say..VERY heavy guitars tuned nearly as low as the bass..GREAT groove.and also very heavy middle section break.

8.No Lights--No lights indeed...very dark..creepy and VERY odd for overkill.He SINGS..and very IN KEY..as opposed to the older days of trying to carry a good tune and being slighty off.A+ song.

9.Sound of Dying--If u liked Cold Hard Fact from the killing kind you'll love this one.Straight ahead..and very killer.

10.Unholy--Yes very...Good opening section..again blasting into a thrash attack for ear piercing..with a VERY creepy chorus.Sounds like it was recorded with the Killing Kind.

So all in all this album is VERY unique and diverse.It actually sounds like they went back and listened to songs from there FULL career..and honed them for an Excellent variety on this album.
OVERKILL THE DEVILS WRATH....INDEED!!!