A JAR Special: Super Judgmental Bros: OverKill – Scorched (2023)

Since the JAR is from Jersey, OverKill is a band that couldn’t be missed. One of the original thrash bands, holding down the scene and the sound 40 years into their career. So with all the Jersey synergy, it makes sense that AJ would want to get in on this too. Welcome to the gutter, we’ve been expecting you!

AJ: It’s been a while since we did one of these, ey big broder? I got the notification on social media that one of the major bands Andrew got me into had a new album coming out so I pitched a group review, he obliged and now we have this Mean, Green Balaz Machine for another review. Now, if you are a fan of thrash metal and never heard of Overkill… that’s fair but you’ve been under a rock for about 40 years. Damn Metallica taking the spotlight… Andrew can take care of that next one. Anywho… you can take the Jersey Boy to Utah but you can’t take the Jersey Thrash Metal out of him, even Shantel likes them a lot too.

OverKill is: Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth (Vocals), D.D. Verni (Bass), Dave Linsk (Lead Guitar), Derek Tailer (Rhythm Guitar), Jason Bittner (Drums)

• Artist: OverKill
• Album: Scorched (2023)
• Label: Nuclear Blast
• Total Track Time: 51:10

I know the Warchief has his way of doing stuff but, we need a little phenomenal flair to it so here are the three songs that I think are the best from Scorched.

Wicked Place – 5:01

This was one of the singles they gave out early and to me personally, this is what reminds me of the Overkill I was introduced to. Heavy on the drums by Jason Bittner and the iconic, most likely never going to be replicated voice of Blitz along with the minute long guitar solo that always slaps. It has everything you need for an Overkill song. It reminds me more of Necroshine or Horrorscope than anything if it went to another album but all in all it’s a great song to me. Even after the whole album was released, I gave this the instant thumbs up, listen to it when I can and it never brings me down.

If you like metal gym songs, this would probably be up there for a good pump or even if you want an inner theme song in your head. This song will get your day going every time in my opinion.

Fever – 5:33

It doesn’t sound like the normal Overkill but it does at the same time. Heavier tones than usual and it reminds me more of Evil Never Dies from the Years of Decay album. The nice slow start of the guitar with Blitz gently coming in before it gets the true vocals in and progressively getting heavier and heavier as the song goes along. It works so well with the soft, subtle tones before the drums and guitar kick in half way through, few more vocals and then go into a nice drum and guitar solo to finish off the song.

Something different is always fun in my opinion and this threw a very interesting loop into the album. Definitely another banger but I just have a little bit lower than Wicked Place. It’s not bad by any means, my second favorite and something you should listen to, especially in a relaxed and chilled environment.

Twist of the Wick – 5:35

Going back to something that sounds older Overkill, Twist of the Wick gives me Bats in the Belfry mainly with the sped up instrumentals and getting the vocals copied over and over. Bats was one of my favorite songs when I was introduced to Overkill so hearing something somewhat similar to it is definitely a smiling moment in my eyes. I didn’t know what I was going to put as number three honestly and this slipped under the radar for me. Listening to the full album, this is when the songs pick up more and more with a more thrash vibe. Definitely something to listen to when just wanting to jam out, pretend you are the drummer and go absolutely nuts.

AJ’s Judgment: 7.25/10

It was different with some old school tones in the middle and end but, the opening songs dropped it a lot for me. Scorched is an okay opener I suppose but The Surgeon was meh at best and Goin’ Home felt like it would be better around the end instead of after Scorched. It was a heavier Old School. Old School was the end song in Relix for their origins and Goin’ Home seems like it could have ended the album or been behind Bag O Bones.

Andrew: Well I suppose I’ll just go with the format AJ mixed things up with so this doesn’t look like a failed DBZ fusion dance. Now its time for me to cherry pick a few highlight songs and drop an opinion!

Fever – 5:33

Fever brings huge Black Sabbath vibes. Its like Who Tends the Fire and Spiritual Void had a baby. Its got a great slower down tuned groove, and the verses are sung clearly but the bridge and chorus just smashes your teeth in and drags your face across the rainbow. You get plenty of bluesy breakdowns, pounding drums and the way Blitz’s voice rings through the song fits perfectly. It may not be a great thrash song, but its an amazing metal song.

Harder They Fall – 4:23

This song picks up the pace nicely and also gets across something I noticed in the early songs. A lot of this album reminds me of Bloodletting (2000), and it could be because Colin Richardson mixed both of these albums. So this song is very reminiscent of Bleed Me, because it just attacks and while simple, it keeps the blood pumping because all it does it attack. This is the perfect song to get the mosh pit hyped up and then go into Bold Faced Pagan Stomp or a little bit of Fuck You.

Bag o’Bones – 4:37

I know AJ seemed less than enthused with it as the closing song, but it brings the album full circle kind of nicely. It has a crazy rhythm and bass riff that makes it nearly danceable, like Moto Psycho by Megadeth levels of surprisingly danceable. However, its not without some comparison to older songs, immediately Battle comes to mind with the staccato chug riff and how the lyrics are paced. Since the whole album was a fusion of their groove heavier years and some of their unabashed attacking thrash, this feels like a nice note to end the album on.

Andrew’s Judgment: 7.45/10

I’m fairly sure my rating came in a touch higher because over the years I’ve developed a love for Bloodletting (2000) and always really dug I Hear Black (1993). So when I hear little pieces of those older sounds, or even older since Who Tends the Fire is off of Years of Decay (1989), it ranks higher for me. You may be thinking that’s driven off of nostalgia, but that’s not really the bias. I will always give a band credit for staying true to their sound, even if it was something they experimented with and wasn’t as popular as their original sound. Many people put bands in a corner and say they’re one thing and reject any coloring outside of the lines. I always personally encourage it, even if it kinda sucks (looking at you Risk by Megadeth and Reload by Metallica), you don’t learn or get better by staying safe in your lane.

Speaking of sounds, if you’ve never heard OverKill before, Blitz’s voice is somewhat unique but not without comparison. Brian Johnson from AC/DC, Udo Dirkschneider most known for Accept, and Dan McCafferty from Nazareth come to mind immediately. It’s a bit nasal and gruff, but they’ve all had a ton of success…so there has to be some merit to it.

Final Judgment: 7.35/10