Circus of Death

I guess this is novel because it's a Brazilian thrash album that doesn't sound at all like Sepultura, instead taking after bad Bay Area thrash instead. That's the only thing I can say about this release; it's novel in the most meaningless way possible. Other than that, this is just awful thrash ala the first couple Metallica albums or early Megadeth which is completely listless and generic. 'Circus Of Death' came out in 1992, one of thrash's darkest years, and it's not surprising that it sounds like it: mediocre, sterile, and with absolutely nothing to recommend for it.

Overdose sounds like thrash and nothing else; there's not a moment of inspiration anywhere on this CD (so it makes sense that it was re-released by Pavement). It's not particularly intense, everything happens exactly where you'd expect it to, from riff changes to rhythmic shifts to introduction of lead guitars and everything in between. The vocals are a very mediocre Nuclear Assault type half sung/half shouted performance with occasional backing gang vocals, giving the barest trace of crossover feel to what is otherwise just totally bare-bones Bay Area style thrash. I guess this sounds more like Anthrax than anything, but at least Anthrax could write a relatively memorable song. Overdose just sinks and sinks deeper into boredom and mediocrity with every track, making this release an absolute chore to get through. About the only engaging moments are those on tracks like the opening of 'The Healer', where the band tries to compose something melodic and memorable; that passage isn't exceptional but at least it's SOMETHING to break up the monotony of the release.

I don't recommend this to anyone and I don't think there are any fans of this album in the world, so who cares, just leave it in the bargain bin it's invariably in and ignore it completely. There's infinitely better music just about anywhere else.