Album Review: OVERKILL Will Swoop You Up With “The Wings Of War”

With long time great bands like Black Sabbath, Slayer, and Ozzy Osbourne beginning to bow out to retirement or just refusing to release new music a lot of fans of who follow bands for decades are stuck listening to the same albums over and over again. But true music fans are always craving new music, especially from bands they’ve followed for years. Overkill knows this and knows their fanbase to be true and they’re ready to let loose The Wings Of War to the world as their 30 plus year run continues on.

Releases February 22nd 2019
iTunes / Amazon

This album marks the first studio album without Ron Lipnicki behind the drums in over a decade. So it was no surprise to have the opening song and lead single “Last Man Standing” start with new drummer Jason Bittner, formerly of Shadows Fall, before anyone else. It’s a subtle way of letting everyone know there’s a change you should notice. Bittner fits right in. Not to say Lipnicki wasn’t a fit any longer or slowed because he’s still one of the hardest working drummers I’ve ever seen but there’s almost an extra burst of energy behind the kit and its definitely noticeable throughout the album.

The other thing that caught my attention was how each song definitely has an identity. Every band that’s been around for decades, Overkill included, often has songs that sound similar where you’re not quite sure which song your listening to and you jump to check the track number or grab your smartphone to do a Google search during a live show. The groovy, bluesy riff that starts off “Head Of A Pin” is so recognizable that I’d swear I heard it before yet I haven’t because it didn’t exist before now.

Then jump to “Distortion” which is a heavy, haunting, yet groove led track that definitely feels like Overkill starts with a melodic dual guitar opening that you might come to expect from Metallica. Not only does it give both Dave Linsk and Derek Tailer a chance to shine together on the album but has the potential to be a highlight if this song should make the cut for when they tour. This is a song opening that live could be extended to really shine a spotlight on a duo that often get overlooked in guitarist discussions in bars and man caves everywhere.

While I’m on the topic of live, I wouldn’t be surprised to see “Welcome To The Garden State” tossed into the live set either. This is a fun one from the guys of Overkill that slides right next to classics like “Fuck You”, “Rotten To The Core, and “Wrecking Crew”. It’s the straight up, in your face, and fun writing that Bobby Blitz occasionally tosses into lyrics instead of his between song banter. And personally I’m challenging Overkill to do this one live because I want to hear them as a band harmonize live at the end because they pay homage to their home state by closing with harmonies reminiscent of the Bruce Springsteen hit “Born To Run”. That’s right a little open challenge to the guys of Overkill from their Brooklyn Brother.

Not many bands stick around for 30 years or more and the ones that do rarely continue to deliver on a consistent basis. Overkill, as they have done for years, continue to be consistent with their music and fans because they know who they are as their career continues to soar on with The Wings Of War.

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