The original lineup of the band consisted of Rat Skates, D.D. Verni, Bobby Gustafson, and Bobby Blitz. Their demo called “Power in Black” which was released in 1983 caught the attention of the heavy metal label Megaforce Records. Owner Jon Zazula signed them to the label and their debut album “Feel the Fire” was released in 1985.
After touring for a few years with bands like Anthrax and Slayer to audiences of raving fans, Overkill recorded a second album. In 1987 Megaforce Records became associated with Atlantic Records and Overkill’s sophomore album “Taking Over” came out, with a more organized structure and lengthier songs. The single “In Union We Stand” became the first song to have a video and helped to promote the band via television.
As Overkill developed over the years, they became popular on the charts and MTV. Their album “Under the Influence” came out in 1988 and charted at No. 147 on the Billboard Top 200. The single “Hello From the Gutter” was frequently played on MTV’s television show “Headbangers Ball.” The hit “Elimination” on the 1989 album “The Years of Decay” became well-loved on “Headbangers Ball” and propelled Overkill to commercial success.
The main songwriter Bobby Gustafson left before the fifth album “Horrorscope” was released in 1991. The mood of the album was darker and less upbeat than earlier work, but Overkill proved they were still a relevant heavy metal band in the 1990’s. To date, Overkill has recorded over 17 studio and live-recorded albums. The band cites Black Sabbath, Kiss, The Ramones, Motorhead, and Manowar as significant musical influences.
Overkill’s live performance is bound to rattle your mind and rock your world. Although they haven’t quite received the commercial success of other notable thrash metal bands like Slayer, Metallica, and Anthrax, they are still a thrill to see live and you most likely will get the chance to see them at an intimate venue when they come through your town. Overkill’s music attacks you like a brute force during their show. They crank up their loud distorted guitars playing them at rapid speeds, which stimulate the audience with excitement. The drums are pounded with intense strength and the clash of the cymbals resonates throughout the whole venue. Lead singer, Bobby Ellsworth, is full of energy during his performance, often running around stage shirtless and yelling into the microphone like a crazy ghoul with an operatic like voice.
Overkill is an incredibly prolific band having already released eighteen studio albums that have consistently garnered good reviews and have followed the same rapid force style that they are so great at creating. An Overkill concert has a fierce characteristic about it. Everyone in the crowd is dressed in black and are starting up mosh pits to the heavy metal, thrash rock that is blaring through the whole venue. The drums are positioned on an elevated platform where the drummer blasts away on the double bass drums, and the stage is covered with fog while red lights of hell shine through in the background. Overkill plays a diverse setlist performing songs from many different albums in their discography. You can expect to rock out to all their classic hits from the eighties or you can start up a riot to some of the songs they perform from their newest album, White Devil Armory.
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