-The legendary Thrasher’s 20th studio album
-OVERKILL has put out an album every 3 or 4 years consistently since 1985.
-Bobby Blitz has lost nothing over the years vocally.
If there’s been a more consistent METAL band in the last 30 years I’d like to know who. OVERKILL has literally put out an album every few years since their debut “Feel The Fire” in 1985. During that time frontman Bobby Blitz and bassist D.D. Verni have been on every album. They have consistently put out top-quality Metal regardless who’s been in the band and “Scorched” is no different.
OVERKILL was outside of the big 4 80’s Thrash bands of Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax, but many have put them next in line. They’re certainly in my Top 4, but I’m aware that they are a slightly more acquired taste to some degree, but that’s why I love them.
Blitz could have taken over for AC/DC when Brian Johnson went down and Axl Rose filled in. He’s always had this “sneer” in his voice and a surprisingly high vocal range that makes him the perfect Thrash “singer”. He’s lost absolutely NOTHING on this album either, he’s as aggressive as ever. Having said that, he has expanded his style over the years and on songs like “Going Home” he actually sounds more heartfelt, but he doesn’t spend a lot of time in that range. “Scorched”, “Twist Of The Wick”, “Surgeon”
They change up the pace on “Scorched” from time to time, it’s certainly a Thrash album, but there’s some more strait up Metal here too, and I’m cool with that, songs like “Won’t Be Coming Back”, “Fever” and “Wicked Place” let you catch your breath a bit and are still heavy, they just show a little more mid-temp side of the band.
I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Bobby Blitz in the past. He’s known for his laugh and infectious personality. When I saw them live for the first time at Prog Power in Atlanta I couldn’t believe it was the same person, his on stage persona is beyond intense, it was a show I’ll never forget and I quickly realized why they have had such longevity.
I’ll sum this up and say that as an OVERKILL fan you won’t be disappointed. I’m not even going to try to rank this in their library. The production was superb, the pacing was really good, lots of catchy songs, it’s just what you expect from the band. Exceptional quality Heavy freaking Metal.
I’ll have to give them an 8 out of 10 “Flaming Fists” and highly recommend “Scorched”.
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