New York thrash quartet
Overkill were formed in 1984 by vocalist
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and guitarist
Bobby Gustafson, also including bassist
D.D. Verni and drummer
Rat Skates (later replaced by
Sid Falck). The band garnered a reputation for brutal, pounding speed and technique, but lacked the musical diversity to compete with heavy hitters like
Metallica; still,
Overkill built up a strong following in the metal underground with albums like 1985's
Taking Over and 1988's
Under the Influence.
Gustafson quit in 1989 following the
Years of Decay album, and was replaced by
Rob Cannavino and
Merritt Gant. The band recorded its most effective and varied album,
Horrorscope, in 1991; drummer
Tim Mallare took over on 1993's
I Hear Black.
Overkill's final major-label release was 1994's
W.F.O, after which the band moved to CMC International. With a new guitar team of
Joe Comeau and
Sebastian Marino,
Overkill recorded albums like 1996's
The Killing Kind, 1997's
From the Underground and Below, and 1999's
Necroshine. Also issued in 1999,
Coverkill celebrated the band's influences with renditions of songs by
Black Sabbath,
Jethro Tull,
the Sex Pistols, and others.
Overkill soldiered on into the year 2000 with
Bloodletting and recorded the following tour for a live album, 2002's Live from Asbury Park. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide