Much is said about the stellar bands of Thrash Metal such as Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, and even lesser-known bands like Exodus and Testament, all of them undoubtedly excellent despite their ups and downs. However, little is spoken about Overkill, the only American Thrash Metal band that has been consistent in terms of quality and releases, as the band launches a new album at least every two years. It’s no wonder they are called the Mötorhead of Thrash.
In 1989, Overkill released their masterpiece “The Years Of Decay”, produced by Terry Date, an album so significant that it even influenced Pantera to transition from their Glam Rock sound to Thrash/Groove Metal, hiring Date to record “Cowboys From Hell” (1990). Terry Date is a renowned producer who has worked with bands like Dream Theater, Deftones, Metal Church, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Bring Me The Horizon, Slayer, among others.
“The Years Of Decay” represents the talent and love for music by Overkill, where the New Jersey natives received nothing but good reviews from specialized magazines.
What can we listen to?
“The Years Of Decay” stands out as the most progressive and elaborate album in Overkill’s discography, showcasing a Thrash Metal departure from conventional tempos to incorporate discreet asymmetrical rhythms, bolstered by commanding performances from drummer Sid Falk and legendary bassist D.D. Verni, whose powerful and consistent tone remains prominent throughout the album, even featuring a brief solo with slaps in “Nothing To Die For”.
Noteworthy is guitarist Bobby Gustafson’s contribution, marking his final work with Overkill. He exhibits both lightning-fast riffs and technical passages, while also displaying his affinity for down-tempo Heavy Metal in the song “Playing With Spiders/Skullkrusher”, a 10-minute track heavily influenced by masters Black Sabbath. This song demonstrates the band’s hunger to create songs with different structures and rhythms, particularly evident in the combination of Thrash speed and progressive pauses after the 5:00 mark.
The album’s duration is perfectly balanced, a characteristic that Overkill has maintained throughout their releases. “The Years Of Decay” features only 9 songs with a total runtime of 56 minutes, making it an ideal offering for the genre.
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth's power is undeniable
We hear Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth solidifying himself as one of the most important voices in underground metal, with an unmistakable timbre reminiscent of Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden and Bon Scott from AC/DC, creating memorable melodies in tracks like “Elimination,” “Time To Kill,” or “I Hate,” while also showcasing excellent vibratos with impeccable technique.
As “The Years Of Decay” progresses, it becomes more intriguing. Towards the end of the album, we encounter “Who Tends The Fire” and “The Years Of Decay,” two 8-minute tracks displaying the band’s ability to play with rhythms and tempos. These songs can be defined as displays of absolute creativity, where Overkill skillfully integrates various resources into thrash. In “The Years Of Decay,” we even hear a combination of heavy metal and ballad, achieving a dark and compelling blend.
The album closes with “Evil Never Dies,” featuring a guitar introduction devoid of attack and synths that transport us to the album’s cover, followed by a reaffirmation of Overkill’s aggression and speed. This is accompanied by great solos from Bobby Gustafson, showcasing the individual capabilities of each band member excellently.
The legacy of The Years Of Decay
“The Years Of Decay” shows us that throughout history, there have been great bands flying under the radar, offering high-quality music. The legacy of this album was so significant that Dimebag Darrel from Pantera was inspired by Bobby Gustafson’s tone for practically the entire career of the band.
Overkill’s love for music is admirable, as they have overcome countless adversities, such as Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth’s cancerous tumor in his nose, to pursue what they love relentlessly. They have even released albums much more consistent in recent years compared to more famous bands in the genre.
“The Years Of Decay” has gone down in history as one of the most important albums in Thrash Metal! What is your opinion on this work? Leave us your comments!
