ReliXIV

I know Overkill as a fucking THRASH metal act who stands for relentlessly pounding, melodic thrash anthems that KILL!

Too bad then, that ReliXIV sounds very much like their centerpiece, moden classic album Ironbound from 2010 if the entire process had been treated with the same zeal as one does going grocery shopping.

Positives: ReliXIV has a clear production, very much reminiscent of Ironbound as well, and the fast *deep* bass drumming definitely serve as a powerful bedrock for the rest of the band to build their thrash metal riffs and melodies upon.

Unfortunately, what it ends up supporting is wholly uninspired songs which seem as if they were stitched together at random using leftover rehearsal tracks, rather than something crafted with an ear for melody, catchiness, or just pure aggression. The opener on ReliXIV, Within Your Eyes, is emblematic of this approach, as its introductory minute seems itself to be a patchwork, not a Heartwork, of individually acceptable to fine pieces of an Overkill thrash tune cobbled together one after another. Something which today would signify an AI composition. This means the incohesive song essentially goes nowhere but towards indifference, and by the third song, the abrasive thrash sounds produce only the symptons of anemia. The vocals, too, sound completely uninspired, and with no standout moments. It's simply there this time around, though I perceive it to be a bit lower in the mix, making it difficult to discern a lot of the lyrics. Something which is unusual for Overkill.

The album as a whole contains roughly equal parts straight forward thrash and simple groove sections, usually within the same song, but surprisingly without the band managing to craft an identity for the individual song. Instead, the well played instruments only serve up unengaging by-the-numbers missed attempts. If I add to this how the only catchy solo was found on the closing song, itself merely passable as a drinking anthem, it should tell you this album is simply not worth your time.

The song Keeper deserves a special mention for using incredibly annoying high pitched guitar squeaks that are most likely intended to sound industrial and ominous (reminiscent of a usually enjoyable and noteworthy Overkill guitar characteristic), but instead falls as flat as the CD that had the embarassing misfortune of emanating those wobbly squeals of 2005.

Unless you get really excited by the prospect of Tuesday afternoon grocery shopping, this album will never be able to raise your pulse in the slightest.

Overkill has its roots back in 80's punk and has put out a number of noteworthy, ABRASIVE and at the same time highly melodic thrash metal albums, particularly in their early days. This is the wholly unnoticeable middle piece between those and the absolutely MOTHERFUCKER of an album that is Ironbound. Get that instead! The sooner the fucking better!