Customer Reviews

Kill Box 13

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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!!!

Man, this frickin' band just gets better with age. In a world where all these pussies call groups Marilyn Manson, Good Charlotte, and Limp Bisquick metal, so many hairless men should be ashamed of being called a man! Overkill, after 20 years of head pounding thrash deliver the goods on this their 13th release. And guess what, it's another serving of head-pounding thrash! But man, just when I almost gave up on 'em after WFO, these guys are full throttle again ever since Necroshine, and that was long ago. Since then, they've given Coverkill, Bloodletting, Live, and then this, truly a masterpiece. So if you guys want one of the best metal releases of the year, look for 13, and kill that box!

Overkill is so incredibly metal! They are one of the few metal bands from the hay day of heavy metal that has kept it real and not pulled a Metallica/Megadeth/Anthrax/etc. Every album they have put out is real speed/heavy metal that you can count on. Kill Box 13 is no different. Every song is awesome! If you're an Overkill fan, you will love this album. If you're just getting into Overkill, then this album is a must buy, and if you've never heard Overkill, then you don't know what you're missin'. What else can I say? KILLBOX 13 kicks [rear-end].

I have been a fan of Overkill since their inception. I have found them to always be pertinent even during some of their sub-par offerings (there really weren't many). So, let me start by saying that this release can hang with the best releases they've ever done. In all likelihood an argument could be made that this is their best album ever.

First off, this album features the best musicianship the band has ever seen, bar none. From the top down, every single member of this band has mastered their instrument. Overkill has really only had Singer Bobby Blitz and bassist DD Verni as consistent members over the years and they've seen a lot of new faces. The new faces on this CD are the best they've ever worked with. Blitz' vocals are clearly the best he has ever recorded. Maybe it was the on stage stroke??? DD Verni also seems to have gotten to the point where he has more than total command of the four string.

There are some obvious nods to bands like SLAYER and AC/DC on this album as well - they are not rip-offs, just obvious enough to realize their influence. The music is more thought-out, tight heavy and less scattered than previous efforts. Overkill is one of the only bands who still knows how to write and pay a mosh part the way you are supposed to.

Blitz' macabre vocals actually feel evil, much in the way King Diamond has done, without the falsetto. The cuts DO NOT blend together at all. People who have made this criticism are referring to the fact that two songs on the albums feature the words "Crystal Clear" in the chorus and the tracks follow each other. But the album mixes a ton of styles effectively to become a larger part of the Overkill experience. There is also still good old fashioned "thrash" on this album which no one seems to be doing anymore.

For those who just don't get Overkill go piss your money away on Metallica's "St. Anger". "Killbox 13" blows it away on every scale. It also proves that money and success CAN and most certainly destroy bands, because Overkill has never had any of that and that's why they're still so freaking good! Overkill's members are pushing 40 but you'd never know it. Like a fine wine, they've gotten much better with age.

The sad reality is that this may be their last release because Bobby Blitz has hinted at his own departure. Lets hope not, they're about to hit their 20th Anniversary - at that time, an argument could be made that they are the greatest American Thrash Metal Band ever! If it did end now, you could defiently say they went out with a bang and not a whimper. I have a funny feeling we haven't heard the last of Bobby and the boys.

It's really NOT all that hard to believe that New York's own thrash kings,Overkill has now seen it's 20th anniversary as a band.Not for me,anyway.This release shouldn't let anyone down.Believe that vocalist Bobby Blitz and bassist DD Verni's determination has kept this thrash outfit going as long as it has.Some of the head bashing cuts to live by here include "Devil By The Tail",the modern day Overkill classic "Damned"(this track could've easily been penned umteen years ago),"the Sound of Dying" and "I Rise".Recommended.

Considering that Overkill have been cranking out albums since the early eighties, their 13th album could have been a lukewarm affair.This is not the case however. Killbox 13 may indeed rank up there with their best albums. The songs on this disc are uncompromising thrash. This is no-doubt OLD-SCHOOL, but it can hang in there with anything new currently being produced. The song writing is tight and the riffs are sick. If you ever liked thrash metal or if you are interested in trying new forms of Metal, this CD is a must listen. Jack Tucson, AZ

This is the BEST offering from Overkill, since Horrorscope. Typical Overkill-esque thrash style pocket-drumming, crushing guitar, and Bobby Blitz gut-wrenching flavor!! (It's all good). Modern flash to an 80's/90's era thrash band, that never loses their knack for delivering the goods.

Every song kicks ass - a must have for the old-schooler!!

This album took me by surprise. I was expecting a sound similar to "From the Underground..." and "Necroshine," but this bad boy picks up where "Bloodletting" left off. Heavy as hell, no ballads. Each song is unique, and the songwriting is on par with Overkill's dark, straightforward outlook, but there isn't one stand out track that takes precedence over all others. I've played this disc straight through many times, and though that one killer cut is missing, listening to this album is still a pleasure. I guess there's nothing wrong with consistency, but hey, I like Overkill ballads!