ReliXIV
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