From the Underground and Below

Yet another solid metal outing from veteran New York thrash/power metal outfit Overkill, From the Underground and Below again demonstrates the consistent inventive and energetic stylings that made this band one of America's best underground metal outfits. Together for their third release, the very effective lineup of Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth on vocals, D.D. Verni on bass, Sebastion Marino and Joe Comeau on guitar and drummer Tim Mallare plow through ten ultra-heavy tracks laced with all the spirited aggression fans of the band should expect. Standout tracks include "Long Time Dyin'" and "Half Past Dead" -- just two examples that feature the biting guitar riffs and thumping drums that typify the kind of aggressiveness and precision that Overkill used to build a solid musical reputation. Ellsworth's performances are not quite up to speed on From the Underground and Below, but any vocal shortcomings on this disc are more than made up for by the truly inspired guitar and drum performances and articulate, inventive material.