As requested, here’s in exclusive the really good sounding 2024 reissue of OVERKILL 1988’s third album “Under The Influence“, their second on major label Atlantic, which secured the band a major exposure and for many a solidified a place in the thrash metal pantheon alongside the ‘big four’ Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax.
Mixed by ‘the melodic hard rock guru’ of the ’80s Michael Wagener, “Under The Influence” is more commercial, accessible than previous OVERKILL records, still razor sharp and punchy like few. Musically, it’s matter of tastes; we really enjoy many well done thrash metal albums, and “Under The Influence” is one of them.
If you like this genre, songs like “Never Say Never” and “Brainfade” carry a heavy dose of ’80s thrash cliches, the kind that will keep your foot tapping. This is further bolstered by the extremely bombastic drum sound, which is along similar lines to what was heard out of Lars Ulrich on ‘Master Of Puppets’, though the newly acquired kit-man Sid Falck proves to be a bit less stiff and keeps a bit with a semblance of flow.
‘Mad Gone World’, ‘Brainfade’, and ‘Drunken Wisdom’ join in the angry WTF-fest and feature some distinct touches here and there.
The title of ‘Shred’ speaks for itself: the frenetic intro riff and beat is right out of the mid-80s Metallica formula, and mixes in nicely with a set of groovy, upper-mid tempo work.
This mixture of Bay Area and New York thrash influences pretty well dominates much of what is on here, stepping aside only occasionally for some classic metal influences out of the band’s previous efforts, all of which were at least partially conceived during the time when thrash and speed metal were joined at the hip.
Blitz’s vocal style is pretty clean for the genre, having a bit more to do with Bruce Dickinson than your typical thrash shouter.
The album closes with the title track, the third part of the ‘Overkill’ song series, and features one of the most evil main riffs you’ll ever hear. It includes as well that ‘clean guitar’ parts characteristic of the genre, creating atmospheres.
“Under The Influence” is an elite thrash metal release that helped this musical rock style peak in 1988, regarded as one of the best albums of this metal movement entire history.
Highly Recommended
01 – Shred
02 – Never Say Never
03 – Hello From The Gutter
04 – Mad Gone World
05 – Brainfade
06 – Drunken Wisdom
07 – End Of The Line
08 – Head First
09 – Overkill III (Under The Influence)
Lead Vocals – Blitz
Guitars, Backing Vocals – Bobby Gustafson
Bass, Backing Vocals – D.D. Verni
Drums – ‘Sid’ Falck
Mastered by George Marino
Mixed by Michael Wagener