Overkill
Scorched


4.0
excellent

Review

by PsychicChris USER (593 Reviews)
April 26th, 2023 | 20 replies


Release Date: 04/14/2023 | Tracklist

Review Summary: A welcome shot in the arm

As easy as it’s been to brush off every modern Overkill album as sounding the same, their twentieth installment manages to shake up the formula with a couple tricks they haven’t used in a while. The band seems to have remembered their Iron Maiden inspiration in particular as songs like the title track, ”Twist of the Wick,” and “Won’t Be Comin’ Back” are packed with more melodic widdly-woo guitars while the bass has a pronounced Steve Harris-esque flair in spots. There’s even room for some effectively uncharacteristic orchestrations, displaying an almost epic sense of scope that hasn’t been seen since 2010’s Ironbound.

It’s also pretty cool to see the band’s tap into their groovy side more than they have for quite some time. “Wicked Place” and “Bag O’ Bones” boast some hearty ass-shaking riffs to go with those swing rhythms, the latter ending things on an especially catchy note. “Fever” is the most dynamic track of the lot, starting off with a murky tug o’ war between subdued and heavy textures before giving way to a more Sabbath-rooted shuffle. It may not be out there as The Killing Kind or Necroshine, but I can pick up in a similarly adventurous spirit.

Of course, there’s still plenty of the band’s signature Jersey thrash to go around, even if it feels almost vanilla compared to everything else going on. While the business as usual streaks of “The Surgeon” and “Know Her Name” don’t quite grab me, “Harder They Fall” pairs its intensity with some appropriately punky shouts during its chorus. It’s also nice to see the musicians playing as unwavering as ever and Blitz’s cartoony screeches will always be the grand unifier.

While Scorched doesn’t quite shatter the ceiling of modern classic status, this is easily the most inspired that Overkill has sounded since 2012’s The Electric Age. The band has admitted that the pandemic caused them to spend more time with the material and you can hear that extra attention to detail in the more substantial arrangements and varied elements at play. I have my doubts about this being the start of some new phase in their long-running career, but anybody who got worn out on the seemingly interchangeable nature of their last couple albums can consider this a welcome shot in the arm.



Recent reviews by this author
Opeth The Last Will and TestamentSavatage Gutter Ballet
Freeways Dark Sky SanctuaryParadise Lost Shades Of God
Poltergeist (CAN) NachtmusikKing Diamond The Spider's Lullabye
user ratings (105)
3.4
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Titan
April 26th 2023


25286 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This record absolutely slays! Agreed on it being the most inspired since The Electric Age, I'd probably even go back a little further to Ironbound. So many bangers fellas...

rockarollacola
April 26th 2023


2278 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Their weakest since Immortalis, but still puts most veteran thrashers to shame.

Titan
April 26th 2023


25286 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Nah, this is better than Immortalis

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 27th 2023


18279 Comments

Album Rating: 3.3

Cool album. Probably should get my rate in.

south_of_heaven 11
April 27th 2023


5614 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Twist of the Wick is a banger

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
April 27th 2023


19070 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

"…this is easily the most inspired that Overkill has sounded since 2012’s The Electric Age."



That's a fact. From what I'm seeing so far it will be among the most underrated albums of 2023 around here.

combustion07
April 27th 2023


12822 Comments


Sounds like a banger. Possibly the best of the old school thrash legends these days. Still crushing it live consistently too

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
April 27th 2023


19070 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

Testament has also been releasing good stuff

combustion07
April 27th 2023


12822 Comments


Indeed they have. If Toxik keeps it going too they're definitely up there also imo

Titan
April 27th 2023


25286 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Twist of the Wick is a banger [2]



Honestly, the first 7 songs or so are really fucking good!

mkmusic1995
Contributing Reviewer
April 28th 2023


2061 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Nice rev! The thing that stood out the most to me on this record was the clear, punchy, crisp production. Everything is super clear and the listening experience is one of the best for recent thrash music.

rockarollacola
April 28th 2023


2278 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

"Nah, this is better than Immortalis"



Yes, it's better than Immortalis, but it's their weakest SINCE the release of Immortalis.



Titan
April 28th 2023


25286 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

i mean, we all have our opinions and i certainly respect yours, but i think this is the best since Ironbound, as a whole

ChaoticVortex
April 29th 2023


1616 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Banger album with some absolutely kick-ass riff galore songs like Twist of the Wick or Bag o' Bones.

GhostShelter
May 2nd 2023


1198 Comments


Is it fair to say if AC/DC were a thrash band they would be overkill?

Jesuslaves
May 4th 2023


5027 Comments


> most inspired that Overkill has sounded since 2012’s The Electric Age

I thought White Devil Armory was really good too but the next couple after that weren't great

Twist of the Wick is good but I think Fever is the winner here

Koris
Staff Reviewer
May 9th 2023


22051 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

"but i think this is the best since Ironbound, as a whole"



Can't agree with that since The Electric Age exists, but it's still damn good. By-the-numbers for the most part, but I guess Overkill don't need to fix what ain't broken

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
June 6th 2023


19070 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

U.S. dates w/Exhorder and Heathen

July 13 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Hall

July 14 - Anaheim, CA - The Grove

July 15 - Las Vegas, NV - 24 Oxford (Virgin Hotel)

July 16 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater

July 18 - Dallas, TX - Trees

July 19 - San Antonio, TX - The Rock Box

July 20 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar

July 21 - Destin, FL - Club LA

July 22 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room

July 23 - Orlando, FL - House Of Blues

July 24 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade

July 26 - Silver Springs, MD - The Fillmore

July 27 - Stroudsburg, PA - Sherman Theater

July 28 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance

July 29 - Boston, MA - House Of Blues

July 30 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount

Titan
July 6th 2023


25286 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Goin' Home fucking rips.....awesome song

Sabrutin
August 12th 2023


9843 Comments


another solid one! That part in Twist of the Wick with the church choir and tolling bell leading up to the guitar solo is joy



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy