Relixiv

Relixiv

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Never having the fame of the giants of metal--Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer--Over Kill nevertheless have been making some of the most consistently driving thrash since their inception. There is a renewed invigoration on this record--a sense of dynamic and focus that other classic thrash bands have lost over the years. Also, like their east-coast cohorts Anthrax, there is a sense of humor not evident on a lot of metal (just listen to the chugging and snickering "Bats in the Bellfry"). The flanged guitar on the opener "Within Your Eyes" belies what's coming up and, once it starts, it doesn't let up. The punch of "A Pound of Flesh" and "Wheelz" right in the middle are anchored by groovers like "Love" and "The Mark". Closing with the Motorhead-like anthem "Old School", Over Kill give a list of their achievements and state their allegiance in no uncertain terms, and they definitely deliver. --Robert Arambel

Product Description
2005 marks the twenty-year anniversary of OVERKILL's debut, Feel the Fire. This year offers metal heads their fourteenth disc, RELIXIV on Spitfire Records, a ten-song collection that explores and explodes through their twenty-year history of metal, thrash, groove and the like. RELIXIV is an aggressive standout through their metal journey.

The writing for RELIXIV was done during the touring for KILLBOX 13 and during the spring and summer of 2004. The disc was recorded at GEAR RECORDING in Shrewsbury, NJ, in October and November of ‘04. Recorded, mixed and produced by the band, RELIXIV takes the "hands on" focus and approach. A project envisioned and brought to fruition by the band, from the first notes of "Within Your Eyes" to the last HEY of "Old School".

The lineup for RELIXIV remains the same, DD Verni (Bass), Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (Vox), Dave Linsk and Derek Tailor (Guitars) and long time drummer, Tim Mallere. "The band has gelled" according to Linsk, "we're playing as if we have been together forever". "We know what we are", states Blitz; "a metal band, and we make metal records". RELIXIV is the pounding proof of that, while revisiting their past and moving into their future.

OVERKILL plans extensive touring in support of the new disc. US shows are booked as well as a headlining European tour and festivals.

Relixiv,Overkill,Spitfire,Heavy Metal,Pop,Rock,Speed Metal,Thrash

ReliXIV
Average customer rating:

On par with the classics (4.5 stars)

Overkill are going nowhere fast. Barely average tracks with weak production.

Return to form 4 1/2

Rushed were we?

Hope the next one is better

ReliXIV
Overkill
Manufacturer: Spitfire
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Thrash & Speed Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Kill Box 13

Necroshine

Bloodletting

From the Underground and Below

W.F.O.

ASIN: B0007OY3MA
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

Within Your Eyes
Love
Loaded Rack
Bats In the Belfry
A Pound Of Flesh
Keeper
Wheelz
The Mark
Play The Ace
Old School

Amazon.com

Never having the fame of the giants of metal--Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer--Over Kill nevertheless have been making some of the most consistently driving thrash since their inception. There is a renewed invigoration on this record--a sense of dynamic and focus that other classic thrash bands have lost over the years. Also, like their east-coast cohorts Anthrax, there is a sense of humor not evident on a lot of metal (just listen to the chugging and snickering "Bats in the Bellfry"). The flanged guitar on the opener "Within Your Eyes" belies what's coming up and, once it starts, it doesn't let up. The punch of "A Pound of Flesh" and "Wheelz" right in the middle are anchored by groovers like "Love" and "The Mark". Closing with the Motorhead-like anthem "Old School", Over Kill give a list of their achievements and state their allegiance in no uncertain terms, and they definitely deliver. --Robert Arambel

Album Description

2005 marks the twenty-year anniversary of OVERKILL's debut, Feel the Fire. This year offers metal heads their fourteenth disc, RELIXIV on Spitfire Records, a ten-song collection that explores and explodes through their twenty-year history of metal, thrash, groove and the like. RELIXIV is an aggressive standout through their metal journey.

The writing for RELIXIV was done during the touring for KILLBOX 13 and during the spring and summer of 2004. The disc was recorded at GEAR RECORDING in Shrewsbury, NJ, in October and November of `04. Recorded, mixed and produced by the band, RELIXIV takes the "hands on" focus and approach. A project envisioned and brought to fruition by the band, from the first notes of "Within Your Eyes" to the last HEY of "Old School".

OVERKILL plans extensive touring in support of the new disc. US shows are booked as well as a headlining European tour and festivals.

Customer Reviews:

On par with the classics (4.5 stars).......2006-06-06

Twenty years and fourteen albums into their career, Overkill are still going as strong as ever. Following up 2003's somewhat experimental "Killbox 13," "ReliXIV" is more-or-less a return to form for this New Jersey-based five piece. It is ten tracks of no-frills, no-surprises attacks of vintage, classic, old-school, unabashed, headbanging thrash metal. And in an age where 99% of all thrash bands have abandoned their speedy roots, listening to this album is like chugging a glass of cold water on a hot summer's day.

Guitarists Dave Linsk and Derek Tailer offer more than a passing glimpse of skillful, crushing leads and big, chunky riffs, while drummer Tim Mallare pounds away at his trapkit, creating very muscular, pounding rhythms. Lastly, D.D. Verni serves up a fair share of thick bass lines, and Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth aggressively snarls his way through every song. The band experimented with self-production this time around, and the results were a success, as these songs sound crisp, but also have a rough edge.

Most of "ReliXIV" (e.g. songs like "The Mark") opts for mid-paced crunch, so most of these songs are melodic, catchy, and groovey enough to be memorable. But, even though there could stand to be another fast song or two, tracks like "A Pound Of Flesh," which is an ultra-fast song propelled by a blistering, buzzsaw guitar lead and quick, nimble drumming, prove that Overkill can still bring the speed (and the noise) like the best thrash bands.

Some songs, like "Keeper," are driven by pounding drum blasts, but the guitars are usually the center of attention. Opener "Within Your Eyes" is one of several tracks here to feature heavy, churning riffs, deft, thumping drums, Strapping Young Lad-esque vocals, and a tasty guitar solo. Other highlights include "Love," which features a catchy, punching rhythm bolstered by a fast double bass drum, the crunchy, stutter-stepping riffs and long, mazey guitar solo on "Bats In The Belfry," and the excellent, very melodic solo which sprouts up on "Loaded Rack."

Overkill may never reach the popularity level of their thrash contemporaries, like Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, or even their East Coast speed metal brothers (Anthrax), but this is one of many albums which proves that they are definitely as talented as those bands, and deserve to be in their same league. "ReliXIV" will surely bring a smile to any old-school fan's face, and it will get any metalhead's neck snapping, so it is definitely an essential inclusion in every thrasher's collection. It doesn't get this reviewer's vote for the best speed metal album of 2005, but it's a very enjoyable listen all the same.

Overkill are going nowhere fast. Barely average tracks with weak production........2006-05-21

14th album! Now that's an awesome effort in itself. Overkill have been laying down thrash albums since the early 80s and don't seem to be slowing down one little bit. I can't say I've ever been a huge fan of their work, but I did very much enjoy Horrorscope in 1991 and there are a number of the 14 releases that I've never heard.

So let's take a look at "ReliXIV". Well, nothing has changed for Overkill. This is still thrash without any bells or whistles, but I can definitely hear more of a Machine Head like groove to certain tracks such as "Love" than was prevalent back in the earlier days. But I must say, there really isn't anything here that you won't find on their other albums, let alone the rest of the thrash market.

One aspect that can turn a few listeners off is Bobby's screechy vocal style. Although I still find it takes some getting used to, I don't mind it at all and it gives them a unique sound if nothing else. The problems with this album lie with a fairly weak production, a lack of decent hooks and a couple of really ordinary tracks. The guys are just playing by the numbers here, with the end result being quite boring and lacking the energy that is prevalent in most of Overkill's work. I never find myself feeling like I want to tear the house down and run rampant which is kind of how a good thrash album makes me feel.

Some very simple riffs are made worse by some pretty ordinary solos and the last couple of tracks are truly atrocious. I know these guys have a sense of humour and don't take things too seriously, but if they truly wish to remain relevant in the scene, they should make more of an effort to excite the listener and create a hard hitting album that puts all the wannabe thrashers in their place. As it is, one of the true metal veterans has released a lacklustre release that has a few decent moments, overshadowed by an utter sense of been there done that.

Return to form 4 1/2.......2006-02-17

I havent heard an album this good from Overkill since "Horrorscope" I mean this is like a flashback and Overkill went back in time about 15yrs. I had said that Overkill was only average musicians, but this current line-up is the best since "Horroscope" and I do believe that they added 2 new guitarist, but I am not sure since I dont have the booklet in front of me. Tim Mallore has never sounded so good, as he seems to have went from an average drummer to a good drummer. This is a treat for Overkill fans of old, I s**t you not that you will be taking back in time to the "Horrorscope" days, its like all the albums after "Horroscope" didnt happen, Forget what the other bad reviewers said, they must have the wrong CD in or something, cause I cant see how any true Overkill fan doesnt think this kicks the living crap outta anything they have done since "Horrorscope" ENJOY

Rushed were we?.......2005-10-16

Anything Overkill is an obligation as far as I'm concerned. However, I can't help but be overly disappointed with this latest effort from these metal pioneers. Sadly, upon first listen, I found myself jumping from one track to the next, not finding anything close to what I was expecting. It was like listening to a dry cough with each passing song. The attitude was there, but the iron clad meaty core was not. The guitar sound is thinned out so much it's almost stripped completely down to bare bones sound. The base is there but it's not standing beside the riffs. The guitar is front and center but we have base lines that are seemingly being played by someone in the next room if you will. Nothing comes together. Relixiv rages on unrelenting but it's not going anywhere and the choruses fall flat as pancakes. Blitz has no place to go with any of it, so it's as if all direction was lost and he's left to doing his thing over a mess of riffs that run into one wall, and then the next.

I love these guys. I own all their works and I choose to deny the cross with the rest of you but can you help but notice here that this HAD to be a rush job? It's so disheartening to see this, ney, hear this, happen to an Overkill record. I doubt that they will ever out do Horrorscope, but listen to Killbox 13 and then spin Relixiv. What happened here guys? It's with a heavy, metal heart, that I have to slap 2 stars on this awesome band. What's even more hard to realize is that Testament did Souls Of Black in two weeks so they could tour with Ozzy and they still hit the mark. We all know Overkill lives for their fans and life on the road (watch their interviews on the Wrecking DVD), but you've got to give it everything you've got with each new release to keep us feeling the fire.

Hope the next one is better.......2005-10-15

Well, just for background, I've been an overkill fan as long as I can remember. I really liked Bloodletting and Killbox 13. Overkill is one of the only bands where I can buy their cd without hearing any of the songs first because I know what I'm getting.

I think if you are an overkill fan, you will enjoy this album. However, you'll agree it could have been better. The first time through, I was really disappointed. Thinking to myself, is this all? This is it? I'm on my fourth listen now, and some of the songs are growing on me. But it was never like that with any of their other albums. I loved them the first play through.

I was also never albe to listen to any of their albums all the way through the first time either because I would have to replay so many of the songs over and over because I liked them that much. Not here. I just let it play beginning to end, just waiting to hear something worth repeating.

Is this album any good? Yes. Is it disappointing? Kind of. Will I buy the next one? Definitely.

On a related note, I'm not sure why all the complaints about the guitarist. I don't think there was anything wrong with any of that in general. I mean, the song may not have been my favorite, but it wasn't just because the guitars sucked. Even the best guitars in the world couldn't rescue some of the songs. Can't polish a turd no matter how hard you try.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Recommended Music:

Absolute Euphoria [Import]

Elegies for Viola & Piano

Haydn: Symphonies 73, 74 & 75 (The Hanover Band)

Music: Determined

Laid Back [Original recording remastered]

Live! From Da Manjah [Explicit Lyrics] [Live]

Hosanna! Music: Praise

Illusions

Greatest Hits V.2 [Import]

Graduation & Other New Country & Blues

Gen

Entre Bachata y Merengue

Ill-Oet: The Last Element

Did You Heard Me/Crown Prince of Dance

Fisherman's Blues