ALBUM REVIEW: Scorched – Overkill

Imagine you’re first starting out as a band; would you ever think you’d be at the point where you are releasing your 20th studio album? That’s quite some milestone and one that has been accomplished by New Jersey thrash legends, OVERKILL. Bobby Blitz and the boys are back once again with the blazing inferno that is Scorched. Perhaps one of the most overlooked thrash acts of the past three decades, OVERKILL have consistently released blinder after blinder. Sure, with 20 albums there are bound to be a couple of weaker moments, but the band have been on terrific form for much of their tenure within the scene.

Let’s make one thing clear out of the gate. OVERKILL have never been one to reinvent the wheel. You know what you’ll be getting from the moment you hit play. That doesn’t mean what they deliver isn’t the goods. But if you weren’t a fan of OVERKILL by now, you still won’t be by the end of the album. Those who do love the band and their back catalogue however are in for a treat; Scorched is riff city. The title track opens with ferocity before Blitz‘s unmistakable vocals make their first appearance. His iconic, almost deranged sounding screech bellows with a commanding presence. The rhythm section pounds aggressively with a snapping snare that cracks like a whip and a bass rumble that dances delectably behind. It’s a mid-paced rocker with a fist-pumping chorus—a fantastic opening.  

Goin’ Home joins the fray straight after and it can easily be seen as a great live track. Its frantic pre-chorus will get the circle pits whirling while the chorus soars with majestic infectiousness. Early on you can already tell that this record is going to be a strong album of the year contender. The production by Colin Richardson and Chris Clancy has been handled superbly. Every level is perfection and every instrument hits with power and precision.  

Twist Of The Wick features an evil intro before it opens into a firestorm of riffs. It’s one of those classic sounding thrash tracks which is OVERKILL‘s bread and butter. But towards the final third, it gives birth to a whole new animal. There’s an eerie chanting that lingers before a blistering solo arrives to send the track towards the home stretch. There are also a few tracks that almost lean towards some blues influences, such as the rocking Wicked Place and the SABBATH love letter of Fever. The latter is one of the most intriguing tracks on the album. It’s got an air of unease about it. Blitz explained many lyrics were depressing, mainly down to the pandemic and that can be felt during this track.  

It’s not long before they’re back at full speed again with the supersonic Harder They Fall. It’s a blistering ball of fun that is as unrelenting as it is catchy. Huge props have to go to this album’s star, though, ex-SHADOWS FALL drummer Jason Bittner, who is an absolute machine behind the kit. Especially in tracks like this you can hear just how much his playing truly elevates an already talented line-up.  

Finishing on the arse-shaking Bag O’ Bones, OVERKILL know how to have a bit of fun with their music. You can’t help but have a massive grin on your face after the last notes ring out. It’s been many decades and many albums but somehow OVERKILL have released one of their best albums in their storied history. Scorched is a thrash firestorm of fun that will have moshers, young and old, circling the fields together at many a festival.  

Rating: 9/10

Scorched is set for release on April 14th via Nuclear Blast Records.

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