Legacy and Style

Though less popular than larger bands of the same genre, Overkill is one of the oldest thrash bands performing today. It was formed even earlier than the bands of the "Big Four" of thrash metal (Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer). [1] After the band's inception, as time passed and Overkill began creating more music alongside its quickly-growing competitors, it became known for its fast and heavy style. The band's music lacked enough variety to rival the names of the Big Four, [2] but Overkill maintained its unique sound unwaveringly throughout its career instead of trying to gain popularity with a more commercial style.[3] Today, according to Full in Bloom Music, Overkill is viewed as one of the most important thrash bands from the East Coast.[4]

Since Overkill has been around for so long, the band's sound has had an impact on the genre of thrash metal. Overkill's technique draws on bits and pieces of punk and hard rock as well as NWOBHM (new wave of British heavy metal). These elements blend to create a fast, aggressive style unique to the band and make Overkill's sound easily recognizable to metal fans.[5] Many of today's new-wave thrash bands have been influenced by older groups in the genre. Some, including the now broken-up but once popular Manic Ritual, incorporate a variety of stylistic traits reminiscent of Overkill and other thrash bands that have found success in the past.[6]

  1. ^ "Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth of Overkill : Songwriter Interviews". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  2. ^ "Overkill on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  3. ^ "No Life Til Metal - CD Gallery - Overkill". www.nolifetilmetal.com. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  4. ^ "Overkill - Biography - Bobby Blitz Ellsworth - DD Verni - Taking Over - The Years of Decay". www.fullinbloommusic.com. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  5. ^ "The History". wreckingcrew.com. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  6. ^ "Top 10 New School Thrash Bands". Noisecreep. Retrieved 2016-10-08.