by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

Biographical notes: Overkill was formed in 1980 in Old Bridge, New Jersey, by bassist D.D. Verni and drummer Rat Skates. Soon, vocalist Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth and guitarist Bobby Gustafson joined, creating the classic early lineup. The band started by playing covers of punk and metal songs (especially from Motörhead and Judas Priest) before writing their own material. They chose the name “Overkill” from the 1979 Motörhead album — a clear nod to one of their biggest influences.

Overkill’s debut EP came out in 1984, catching the attention of metalheads with its raw speed and aggression. In 1985, they released their first full-length album, “Feel the Fire”, which is now a thrash metal classic. It was fast, angry and full of energy — everything the underground scene loved.

In 1987, they dropped “Taking Over”, another brutal release, featuring the fan-favorite song “Wrecking Crew” Overkill was clearly carving its place in the thrash world.

By 1988, the band signed with Atlantic Records and released “Under the Influence”, and the next year, “The Years of Decay”, which is widely considered one of their best albums. Tracks like “Elimination” and “Evil Never Dies” became staples of their live set.

While many thrash bands lost their way in the 1990s, Overkill kept going. Even when grunge took over and metal went out of fashion, Overkill stayed loud, fast and proud. Albums like “Horrorscope” (1991) and “I Hear Black” (1993) showed they weren’t afraid to evolve, mixing heavy grooves and darker tones into their thrash metal sound.

Guitarist Bobby Gustafson had left the band after “The Years of Decay”, and Overkill became a two-guitar band with Merritt Gant and Rob Cannavino for a while. Throughout the 90s, lineup changes were common, but Blitz and D.D. Verni remained the core.

By the 2000s, Overkill had embraced a full-blown thrash revival. Albums like “Killbox 13” (2003), “Immortalis” (2007), and especially “Ironbound” (2010) brought back the speed, aggression and sharpness of their early years — but with even tighter musicianship.

“Ironbound” was a turning point. Critics and fans alike praised it as a return to form. Overkill followed it up with a strong series of albums, including: “The Electric Age” (2012), “White Devil Armory” (2014), “The Grinding Wheel” (2017), “Wings of War” (2019). In each of these, Overkill proved they’re not just survivors — they’re thrash veterans in a great condition.

In 2023, Overkill released their 20th studio album, “Scorched”, a fiery blend of thrash, groove and melody. Once again, Blitz and D.D. showed that age doesn’t slow down real metal warriors. The band is as sharp and hungry as ever, still firing full throttle.

Album classics

• “Feel the Fire” (1985)

Overkill’s debut is raw, unfiltered, relentless thrash metal at its finest. From the moment “Rotten to the Core” kicks in, you know this band means a lot. The album captures the wild energy of their early days and blends punk fury with classic heavy metal. A must-listen for every thrash fan — this is where the fire began!

• “Taking Over” (1987)

More polished than the debut, “Taking Over” is packed with anthems like “Wrecking Crew” and “Fatal If Swallowed”. This is the album where Overkill began shaping their identity — sharp riffs, explosive drumming, and Blitz commanding the mic like a general on a battlefield. It’s loud, it’s fast, it’s Overkill.

• “Under The Influence” (1988)

“Under the Influence” (1988) marks Overkill’s explosive step into the spotlight. Raw, aggressive, and loaded with thrash energy, the album blends razor-sharp riffs with Blitz’s snarling vocals. Tracks like “Hello From the Gutter” and “Shred” showcase the band’s power and punk edge. It’s a fierce, no-frills thrash record — pure attitude and adrenaline from start to finish.

• “The Years of Decay” (1989)

Often hailed as their masterpiece, this album is the perfect balance of brutality and melody. Tracks like “Elimination” and the title track show a more mature, dark and dynamic Overkill. With Bobby Gustafson’s last appearance on guitar, the band hit a creative peak. This is Overkill’s “Reign in Blood”.

Legacy: Overkill may not be a mainstream metal band, but their loyal fan base and unbreakable work ethic have made them legends in the metal world. Overkill was one of the first thrash bands, and unlike many of their peers, they never disbanded, never stopped releasing music, never gave up their thrash roots.

Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth:  Blitz is the heart and soul of Overkill. His unique, snarling vocals and electrifying stage presence have become legendary. Blitz survived a serious stroke in 2002 — and returned to performing stronger than ever. He’s a frontman with charisma, power and a deep bond with fans. There’s no Overkill without Blitz. If D.D. Verni is the backbone of Overkill, then Bobby Blitz Ellsworth is its soul — wild, untamed and electrifying. One of the most recognizable frontmen in thrash metal, his style is a unique mix of punk ferocity and metal precision, and his voice has aged like fine whiskey — gritty, bold, still full of fire. Offstage, he’s humble, funny and deeply passionate about the music. On stage, he’s a beast. Few frontmen can command a crowd like Blitz. His connection with the audience is electric — you don’t just watch him perform; you join the Wrecking Crew. In a world of fading stars and shifting sounds, Blitz has stayed true. And for that, the metal world salutes him.

Trivial Facts:

• Overkill’s mascot is called “Chaly”, a bat-winged skull that appears on many of their album covers.
• Their fans are called the Wrecking Crew, a term taken from their early song of the same name.
• Bobby Blitz once trained as a professional baseball player before choosing music.
• They were one of the first East Coast thrash bands to sign with a major label (Atlantic Records).
• Despite being underrated by mainstream media, they’ve sold over 16 million albums worldwide.
• They are also called “Motörhead of thrash metal” – listen to their version of thrash metal and you will understand why!

As an epilogue:  Overkill is a thrash metal institution, a declaration of loyalty to thrash metal. They may never get the same recognition as Metallica or Slayer, but they don’t need it. Their music speaks for itself: loud, fast, aggressive, honest. In the world of true metal, Overkill reigns supreme. Our meeting point is at Technopolis, Gazi (Athens), this coming September!

Το άρθρο OVERKILL – UNDER THEIR INFLUENCE εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

Godspeed You! Black Emperor was formed in 1994 by guitarist Efrim Menuck, bassist Mauro Pezzente and drummer Mike Moya. The band took their name from a 1976 Japanese documentary about a motorcycle gang (“The Black Emperors”), which captured the essence of rebellion and outsider culture, themes central to the band’s aesthetic. Initially starting as a trio, GY!BE soon expanded to include a shifting ensemble of musicians, swelling to a collective of up to 10 members, who would contribute strings, guitars, drums and field recordings.

From the beginning, the band was committed to making art that was uncompromising and independent. Their early recordings were lo-fi and circulated only in small quantities, but their breakthrough came in 1997 with the release of their first studio album,” F♯ A♯ ∞” on the independent label Constellation Records. This album introduced their signature long-form compositions, blending haunting orchestral arrangements with spoken-word samples and ambient noise. The atmosphere of “F♯ A♯ ∞”—dystopian, melancholic, eerie but beautiful—struck a chord with listeners seeking music that was reflective of the chaos of the modern world and inherently resistant to mainstream culture.

As the band gained more attention, they toured extensively, earning a reputation for their immersive, almost ritualistic live performances. During their live shows, they often performed in near darkness, with films projected in the background, adding to the sense of dislocation and surrealism that has become their trademark.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s discography, while relatively sparse given their decades-long career, is one of intense focus and consistency. Each album offers a cohesive narrative, meticulously crafted to elicit emotional and intellectual engagement from the listener. Their music is not designed for casual consumption but invites deep listening.

• “F♯ A♯ ∞” (1997)

Their debut full-length album is a sprawling, cinematic journey that juxtaposes delicate moments of eerie calm with explosive crescendos of noise. The track “Dead Flag Blues” with its bleak spoken-word introduction, became iconic, setting the tone for GY!BE’s thematic focus on societal collapse and existential despair.

• “Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven” (2000)

Often considered their magnum opus, “Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven” is a double album that further expands the band’s sonic ambitions. With two 20-minute compositions per disc, the album is a dense tapestry of post-rock soundscapes, orchestrated movements and field recordings. Tracks like “Storm” and “Sleep” offer emotional highs and lows that mirror the chaotic yet fragile human experience.

• “Yanqui U.X.O.” (2002)

Produced by Steve Albini, this album marks a shift in the band’s sound, as they moved away from using field recordings and samples and instead focused more on creating purely instrumental music. “Yanqui U.X.O.” is heavier and more directly confrontational, with political overtones reflected in its title and cover art, which critiques corporate and military alliances.

• “Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!” (2012)

After a decade-long hiatus, GY!BE returned with “Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!”, a triumphant comeback that earned them a Polaris Music Prize. The album contains two long-form tracks, “Mladic” and “We Drift Like Worried Fire” along with shorter drone pieces, showcasing their continued commitment to experimentation.

• “Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress” (2015)

One of the band’s more focused works, this album spans just four tracks, creating a dense, cohesive experience.” Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress” distills the band’s grand, orchestral compositions into a more direct, punchy statement.

• “Luciferian Towers” (2017)

With “Luciferian Towers”, GY!BE leaned further into politically charged themes, with the album’s liner notes referencing “the eradication of borders” and a future free from authoritarian oppression. The music reflects these themes, brimming with anger, but also hope for a better world.

• “G_d’s Pee AT STATE’S END!” (2021)

Released in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, this album captures a sense of disillusionment with the modern world. Yet, the music also offers moments of catharsis and light within its dense compositions, reflecting the band’s persistent hope for collective liberation.

• “No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead” (2024)

The eighth studio album of the band, it is the first album to be preceded by a single, as “Grey Rubble – Green Shoots” was released alongside the album’s announcement on 27 August 2024. The title of the album refers to the reported number of Palestinian deaths by Israeli strikes between 7 October 2023 and 13 February 2024 during the Israeli invasion of Gaza, according to the health ministry of Gaza. In a statement of the album announcement, the band proclaimed: “No Title= What gestures make sense while tiny bodies fall? What context? What broken melody? And then a tally and a date to mark a point on the line, the negative process, the growing pile”.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor is rooted in the DIY ethic of punk and the avant-garde tradition of minimalist composers. Their music draws influence from a variety of sources, including post-rock pioneers (GY!BE is often compared to bands like Slint and Talk Talk), classical and minimalism (their orchestral arrangements owe much to minimalist composers like Steve Reich and Philip Glass, with repetition and gradual evolution playing a key role in their compositions), drone and ambient music (he band’s use of sustained tones and ambient textures reflects a deep engagement with drone music and ambient artists such as Brian Eno), political activism (GY!BE’s music is heavily informed by anti-capitalist and anti-authoritarian politics, and they’ve often cited the writings of radical thinkers like Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn as influences) etc.
Despite their widespread acclaim, GY!BE has remained elusive, avoiding interviews and refusing to engage with traditional promotional cycles. The band famously rejected a Juno Award nomination in 2014, criticizing corporate sponsorship and the lack of support for grassroots music communities in Canada. They have remained staunchly independent, with all their albums released on the Montreal-based Constellation Records.

Fans and critics alike have praised the band for their ability to evoke a wide range of emotions—fear, hope, despair, and redemption—without the need for lyrics or overt narratives. Their music speaks through textures, dynamics and crescendos, offering listeners a form of sonic storytelling that is unique in contemporary music.

Did you know that …

• The band often performs live in near darkness, allowing the music and projected visuals to take center stage rather than the performers themselves.
• The title of their debut album, “F♯ A♯ ∞”, represents the open-ended nature of the music, implying that it could continue indefinitely, in keeping with the band’s expansive, never-ending soundscapes.
• They’ve maintained an anti-commercial stance throughout their career, famously refusing to use their music for advertising purposes despite numerous offers.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor is a band that has continually defied expectations and conventions. Their music is dense, emotional and politically charged, offering listeners a transformative experience that goes beyond the confines of traditional rock or instrumental music. With a discography that remains relevant and powerful, GY!BE has cemented their place as one of the most influential and important acts in the experimental music world. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to their sound, the journey through their apocalyptic landscapes is one worth taking. We will have the honor to witness a unique live show of Godspeed You! Black Emperor on the 18^th of October 2024 at FLOYD, in Athens, Greece!

Το άρθρο GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR: An article about the iconic post-rockers εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

From the humble beginning to becoming a formidable force of the Greek metal scene, Crimson Fire’s adventure has been one of dedication to their unique craft. Drawing inspiration from the legendary bands of metal, they honed their sound, infusing it with a beautiful sense of melody and an unbridled enthusiasm.

Throughout their career, Crimson Fire has shared the stage with an array of metal luminaries, both international icons and local legends alike. From the virtuosic mastery of Uli Jon Roth to the incomparable might of Anvil, Crimson Fire has stood shoulder to shoulder with metal’s finest!

In 2010, Crimson Fire unleashed their debut full-length album, “Metal is Back”, a fascinating proclamation heralding the resurgence of 80s metal. Signed with Iron on Iron Records, the album garnered widespread acclaim, cementing Crimson Fire’s status as torchbearers of the new metal wave.

Building upon their early success, Crimson Fire returned in 2016 with their sophomore release, “Fireborn”, courtesy of Pitch Black Records. With this album, they ventured into the fiery depths of their artistry, delivering an electrifying onslaught of anthemic metal.

And it was with the release of their third opus, “Another Dimension”, in 2021 via No Remorse Records, that Crimson Fire unleashed a sonic inferno that undoubtedly set the metal world ablaze. An amazing album of traditional heavy metal, this third instalment let them spread their wings and fly to the metal sky! Crimson Fire had now a great catalogue of fantastic metal tunes and the conquering of the world was a matter of little time. Fortunately, the Greek band arranged a European tour, opening for Suicidal Angels, and they finally managed to share their live magic with hundreds of fans across Europe.

Returning to their homeland of Greece, Crimson Fire will conclude their tour with a triumphant live performance in Athens. Metal enthusiasts eagerly anticipate this spectacle at the Temple venue on April 27th, 2024, where Crimson Fire will be celebrated as champions of 80s metal. Joining them on stage will be the formidable Typhus and the intriguing Junkwolvz, promising an unforgettable evening.

Το άρθρο CRIMSON FIRE – FINAL DIMENSION IN ATHENS! εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

Formed in Suffolk, England, by vocalist Dani Filth, Cradle of Filth emerged during the early 1990s black metal movement. Drawing inspiration from gothic literature, horror films and occult imagery, the band forged a sound that defied categorization, blending elements of black metal, symphonic orchestrations and extreme theatrics.

Cradle of Filth’s debut album, “The Principle of Evil Made Flesh” (1994), unleashed a maelstrom of sonic fury upon the metal world. With its intricate compositions, menacing atmosphere and Filth’s distinctive vocals ranging from guttural growls to soaring shrieks, the album heralded the arrival of a new force in the genre. Tracks like “The Forest Whispers My Name” and “To Eve the Art of Witchcraft” showcased the band’s penchant for blending ferocity with melody, earning them a dedicated following among the underground metal scene.

As Cradle of Filth continued to evolve, each subsequent release pushed the boundaries of their sound further. Albums such as “Dusk… and Her Embrace” (1996), “Cruelty and the Beast” (1998) and “Midian” (2000) solidified their reputation as pioneers of symphonic black metal and Cradle of Filth elevated to new heights of artistic expression and critical acclaim.

Beyond their musical contributions, Cradle of Filth’s impact extends to their larger-than-life stage presence and visual aesthetic. From elaborate costumes to huge stage productions, their live performances are spectacles of grandeur and decadence, immersing audiences in a world of darkness and decadence.

Cradle of Filth’s influence on the metal landscape cannot be overstated. Their fusion of black metal with elements of gothic and symphonic music has inspired countless bands and artists across genres. Moreover, their willingness to tackle taboo subjects and explore the darker aspects of human nature has challenged conventional notions of what metal music can be, pushing the genre into uncharted territory.

Although the recent albums of the band cannot be compared to the earlier masterpieces, Cradle of Filth continue to monopolize our interest with every new offering. And as they keep filling large clubs and arenas, one thing is abundantly clear: Cradle of Filth’s legacy is etched in the annals of metal history, Dani Filth and co. still cast their shadow over the metal world, and their influence will continue to be felt for generations to come.

Το άρθρο UNVEILING CRADLE OF FILTH εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.