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5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
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3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
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Band
Overkill
Title
Killbox 13
Type
LP/EP
Company
Spitfire
YOR
2003
Style
Thrash
4/10/2003 - Review by: Eric Compton
Overkill - Killbox 13 - reviewed by: EC

Track Listing
1. Devil By The Tail
2. Damned
3. No Lights
4. One, The
5. Crystal Clear
6. Sound Of Dying, The
7. Until I Die
8. Struck Down
9. Unholy
10. I Rise
Killbox 13.

The title just emphasizes total carnage, and this record delivers total carnage in every way imaginable. For years Overkill have threatened thrash domination, and with this "over the top" production job from Colin Richardson, that threat is now a reality.

This new Overkill lineup comes at you full force with a five-piece, adding another rythm guitarist in Derek Tailer to accompany string wizard Dave Linsk. That lineup makes this record far superior to the last release, Bloodletting, with a much stronger emphasis on songwriting, leads, and even more melodic passages this time around.

The record storms out with the catchy opener "Devil By The Tail", a bottom heavy piece that could have been right off of the classic "W.F.O" album. "Damned" follows like a snarling beast, sounding like a thrashy AC/DC hybrid. My favorite track is number three, "No Lights". Perfectly crafted mix of melody, cleaner vocals, and amazing axe work from Linsk and Tailer. Even more great leads introduce "The One", a mid-paced rocker that is in the same vein as material from "Killing Kind" record. The second half of the record is highlighted by tracks like the sadistic "The Sound Of Dying" and the fast-as-lightning "Unholy".

This is just a fabulous release and a wonderful addition to the stellar Overkill discography. Spitfire Records should be ecstatic over the band's debut on their label. Also check out the Wrecking Everything DVD too!! Awesome stuff!!

--Reviewed by EC 4.10.03
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: OVERKILL
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Hellish Videos
2005
Sanctuary Records
Ken Pierce8/17/2005
-
Ironbound
2010
Nuclear Blast
Vinaya Saksena5/18/2010
4
Killbox 13
2003
Spitfire
Eric Compton4/10/2003
-
RelixIV
2005
Spitfire
Susan Wright4/7/2005
-
Taking Over
1986
Atlantic
Anthony Burke7/10/2005
-
The Electric Age
2012
Nuclear Blast
Chris Kincaid3/23/2012
5
The Grinding Wheel
2017
Nuclear Blast
Eric Compton2/15/2017
4.5
The Grinding Wheel
2017
Nuclear Blast
Frank Hill1/17/2017
4.5
The Wings Of War
2019
Nuclear Blast
David Loveless2/24/2019
4.5
White Devil Armory
2014
Eone
T. Ray Verteramo7/23/2014
4.5
Wrecking Everything
2002
Spitfire
Ken Pierce4/1/2005
-
Wrecking Everything Live
2002
Spitfire
Ken Pierce4/1/2005
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: OVERKILL
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE
DD VerniEric Compton, Stygian Steel1/2/2006


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