OVERKILL PULL A GOLDEN RABBIT FROM THE HAT WITH 'THE GRINDING WHEEL' Overkill: 'The Grinding Wheel' Released: 10th February 2017 (Nuclear Blast Records) 3rd February 2017 Jeff Kunze Overkill have been a mean green thrash machine for over three decades and maneuvering through changing business climates and musical landscapes has given the band an extensive catalog. 'The Grinding Wheel' is album number eighteen and it affirms once again that Overkill have never had an identity crisis. Ten tracks of vintage thrash that sticks to the traditional Overkill stamp. A pulsating drumbeat counts down the launch of the sonic gem 'Mean Green Killing Machine' and the song takes a few turns through its seven-minute journey. There are moments of melody, heavy grooving, and ripping guitar solos that pave a path for this colossal musical monster. Overkill have always been able to nail down the perfect opening track and this fills the bill. 'Goddamn Trouble' features that classic Blitz approach through the verses; spitting venomous lyrics with an uncompromising attitude fitting perfectly over the music. The first single was also the first song written, 'Our Finest Hour', and it's is a song that really defines Overkill. Their best attribute is balancing out intensity with melodic arrangements. It's fast, hooky and energetic. 'Shine On' offers a crushing main riff along with an unexpected softer interlude and a harmonized guitar section lifts the song back to its feet before being swept into the songs closing fury. A grandiose opening of 'The Long Road' lets the guitars trade off licks before launching into the first verse. That intro pulls from that NWOBHM vibe before being swept into a thrash-induced burner while a shift in gears comes with 'Let's All Go To Hades' which is a fun song that crosses pop punk with thrash and gives the album another unique caveat of sound. One of the top is 'Come heavy', a tuned down sludgy song pulling from the school of Black Sabbath which reminds of 1993s 'Spiritual Void'. The dirty guitar delivers a massive heavy groove that carries this mid-tempo beast while 'Red White And Blue' is a straightforward song fringing on old school hardcore which races at breakneck speed until it breaks into an infectious mosh inducing mid-section to further pull you in. This belongs in the live set-list every night. 'The Wheel' is soaked in energy as it matches the intensity of the riffs with memorable vocal melodies and twists and turns through various arrangements that play off each other perfectly. The title track closes out the record in epic form and it's a punishing track that marches along with a heavy slumber. The dynamics shift with an explosion of acceleration that catapults the tempo to a frantic pace before succumbing to morbid doom and gloom outro. It's a spectacular closer and in many ways encompasses the album over its nearly eight minute ride. The title track, 'The Grinding Wheel', really pays homage to a band that has been able to grind it out through any obstacle that has stood in its way. Through good times and bad they have stood steadfast on the musical platform they helped mold but at the end of the day it really doesn't matter what influence they pull from or what particular variables are thrown into a song, because Overkill will always be Overkill. The brilliance of this record is found in its diversity and the willingness to reach deep into the band's bag of tricks to pull out a golden rabbit. Take the time to dig into this album and discover the full arsenal of Overkill. Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth –Vocals DD Verni – Bass, Back Vocals Dave Linsk – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals Derek Tailer – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals Ron Lipnicki - Drums Catch Overkill on the road as they begin a US run. Here are the dates: 14th February: Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero Theatre 15th February: Cleveland, OH – Agora Ballroom 16th February: Columbus, OH – Park Street Saloon 17th February: Chicago, IL – Concorde Music Hall 18th February: Minneapolis, MN – The Cabooze 19th February: Lawrence, KS – Granada 20th February: Englewood, CO – Gothic Theater 22nd February: Seattle, WA – El Corazon 23rd February: Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater 24th February: San Francisco, CA – Slim's 25th February: Anaheim, CA – City National Grove 26th February: Tempe, AZ – Club Red 27th February: Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater 28th February: Dallas, TX – Trees 1st March: Houston, TX – Scout Bar 2nd March: San Antonio, TX – Alamo City Music Hall 3rd March: New Orleans, LA – Southport Music Hall 4th March: Ybor City, FL – The Ritz Ybor 5th March: Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse 6th March: Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore 7th March: Norfolk, VA – The NorVa 8th March: Washington, DC – Howard Theatre 9th March: Clifton Park, NY – Upstate Concert Hall 10th March: Worcester, MA – Palladium (NILE ONLY) 11th March: Sayerville, NJ – Starland Ballroom