ReliXIV

Over Kill | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 22, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Spitfire
• ASIN: B0007OY3MA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,211 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Within Your Eyes

2. Love

3. Loaded Rack

4. Bats In the Belfry

5. A Pound Of Flesh

6. Keeper

7. Wheelz

8. The Mark

9. Play The Ace

10. Old School

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Never having the fame of the giants of metal--Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer--Over Kill nevertheless have been making some of the most consistently driving thrash since their inception. There is a renewed invigoration on this record--a sense of dynamic and focus that other classic thrash bands have lost over the years. Also, like their east-coast cohorts Anthrax, there is a sense of humor not evident on a lot of metal (just listen to the chugging and snickering "Bats in the Bellfry"). The flanged guitar on the opener "Within Your Eyes" belies what’s coming up and, once it starts, it doesn’t let up. The punch of "A Pound of Flesh" and "Wheelz" right in the middle are anchored by groovers like "Love" and "The Mark". Closing with the Motorhead-like anthem "Old School", Over Kill give a list of their achievements and state their allegiance in no uncertain terms, and they definitely deliver. --Robert Arambel

Product Description

2005 marks the twenty-year anniversary of OVERKILL’s debut, Feel the Fire. This year offers metal heads their fourteenth disc, RELIXIV on Spitfire Records, a ten-song collection that explores and explodes through their twenty-year history of metal, thrash, groove and the like. RELIXIV is an aggressive standout through their metal journey.

The writing for RELIXIV was done during the touring for KILLBOX 13 and during the spring and summer of 2004. The disc was recorded at GEAR RECORDING in Shrewsbury, NJ, in October and November of ‘04. Recorded, mixed and produced by the band, RELIXIV takes the "hands on" focus and approach. A project envisioned and brought to fruition by the band, from the first notes of "Within Your Eyes" to the last HEY of "Old School".

The lineup for RELIXIV remains the same, DD Verni (Bass), Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (Vox), Dave Linsk and Derek Tailor (Guitars) and long time drummer, Tim Mallere. "The band has gelled" according to Linsk, "we’re playing as if we have been together forever". "We know what we are", states Blitz; "a metal band, and we make metal records". RELIXIV is the pounding proof of that, while revisiting their past and moving into their future.

OVERKILL plans extensive touring in support of the new disc. US shows are booked as well as a headlining European tour and festivals.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars On par with the classics (4.5 stars), June 5, 2006

By 

A. Stutheit "Teyad" (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ReliXIV (Audio CD)

Twenty years and fourteen albums into their career, Overkill are still going as strong as ever. Following up 2003's somewhat experimental "Killbox 13," "ReliXIV" is more-or-less a return to form for this New Jersey-based five piece. It is ten tracks of no-frills, no-surprises attacks of vintage, classic, old-school, unabashed, headbanging thrash metal. And in an age where 99% of all thrash bands have abandoned their speedy roots, listening to this album is like chugging a glass of cold water on a hot summer's day.

Guitarists Dave Linsk and Derek Tailer offer more than a passing glimpse of skillful, crushing leads and big, chunky riffs, while drummer Tim Mallare pounds away at his trapkit, creating very muscular, pounding rhythms. Lastly, D.D. Verni serves up a fair share of thick bass lines, and Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth aggressively snarls his way through every song. The band experimented with self-production this time around, and the results were a success, as these songs sound crisp, but also have a rough edge.

Most of "ReliXIV" (e.g. songs like "The Mark") opts for mid-paced crunch, so most of these songs are melodic, catchy, and groovey enough to be memorable. But, even though there could stand to be another fast song or two, tracks like "A Pound Of Flesh," which is an ultra-fast song propelled by a blistering, buzzsaw guitar lead and quick, nimble drumming, prove that Overkill can still bring the speed (and the noise) like the best thrash bands.

Some songs, like "Keeper," are driven by pounding drum blasts, but the guitars are usually the center of attention. Opener "Within Your Eyes" is one of several tracks here to feature heavy, churning riffs, deft, thumping drums, Strapping Young Lad-esque vocals, and a tasty guitar solo. Other highlights include "Love," which features a catchy, punching rhythm bolstered by a fast double bass drum, the crunchy, stutter-stepping riffs and long, mazey guitar solo on "Bats In The Belfry," and the excellent, very melodic solo which sprouts up on "Loaded Rack."

Overkill may never reach the popularity level of their thrash contemporaries, like Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, or even their East Coast speed metal brothers (Anthrax), but this is one of many albums which proves that they are definitely as talented as those bands, and deserve to be in their same league. "ReliXIV" will surely bring a smile to any old-school fan's face, and it will get any metalhead's neck snapping, so it is definitely an essential inclusion in every thrasher's collection. It doesn't get this reviewer's vote for the best speed metal album of 2005, but it's a very enjoyable listen all the same.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid album, April 5, 2005

By 

Gibson "Overkill" (San Jose, Ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ReliXIV (Audio CD)

I won't bore you with a long review of this album. This is classic overkill all the way. This band continues to put excellent albums, WHY aren't they playing bigger venues? Stand out songs are loaded rack and bats in the belfry. You can't go wrong with this one.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Return Of The Bat, August 30, 2005

By 

Michael Harper "kilinkind" (Cincinnati, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ReliXIV (Audio CD)

Overkill is the hardest working and most underated band in the business. If they're not recording - their touring. I would definatly compare this album equally with their previous release "Killbox 13". Exactly the same sound. Not really the trademark 'Kill riffs and guitar tones we grew up with but they are still here and going strong. Nothing trendy here.. 100% metal