Overkill Taking Over: A Thrashing Masterpiece

In 1987, Overkill unleashed their sophomore album, 'Taking Over', which would go on to cement the band's status as one of the most influential thrash metal bands of all time. The album has been praised by fans and critics alike for its raw energy, crushing riffs, and intense vocals.

The album opens with the energetic 'Wrecking Crew', a song that showcases the band's ability to craft catchy, yet aggressive songs that leave listeners wanting more. This is followed by 'Deny The Cross', which highlights the band's ability to write complex, intricate music that still manages to be accessible to a wide range of audiences.

One of the standout tracks on the album is 'In Union We Stand', a song that has become a staple of Overkill's live shows and is considered one of the band's signature songs. The album also features slower-paced tracks like 'Kill at Command' and 'Fatal Option', which showcase the band's ability to experiment with different styles and tempos.

Musically, 'Taking Over' is a significant improvement over the band's debut album, featuring more complex song structures, tighter playing, and a better production quality. The album was recorded at Pyramid Sound Studios in Ithaca, New York, and features Rat Skates on drums before he left the band later that year.

The album received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with John Book of AllMusic giving it four stars out of five. He praised the band's ability to craft catchy, yet aggressive songs, saying 'This New York band got a lot of attention with this album, although looking back at it, the vocals of Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth are somewhat dreadful compared to how they sound now.'

In terms of chart performance, 'Taking Over' was a moderate success, reaching No. 191 on the Billboard 200 and remaining on that chart for a week. This may not seem impressive by today's standards, but at the time, it was a significant achievement for an underground metal band.

Overall, 'Taking Over' is a thrashing masterpiece that showcases Overkill's ability to craft aggressive, yet catchy songs that have stood the test of time. It's a must-listen for any fan of thrash metal and a testament to the band's enduring influence on the genre.

Overkill taking over