is the sixteenth by Overkill and it will see the light of day late march 2012, to create some excitement for the album we have spoken to Bobby “Blitz” Ells- worth about this album but also about what almost killed the band and why ice hockey is much more fun than the music and a lot more.

Hallowed PDF-article Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm written by daniel källmalm rather talk about hockey than his Bobby explains that it depends been part of for nearly three de- Bobby explains comes from a fine might come from the competi- photos: promotional photos music due to the repetition that and that play the music and the cades and doing promotional in- chemistry between the members tion or from the new versus old published on 12/3-2012 often comes up in the interviews creation of the music is never terviews is still not always boring of the band. It is an energy that school, but whatever the reason and he had been doing a few of work but that promotion can feel and sometimes he is pleasantly he reckons comes from changes he thinks that the results are gre- The playoffs or as Bobby “Blitz” those already. like work sometimes as it can be surprised by how the interviews around the ”Immortalis” album at. Hallowed have yet to receive Ellsworth says, the second season It is necessary with all this pro- repetitions with questions at ti- turn out, something he did tell in 2007 when new drummer Ron the album from so of the NHL is closing in when motion though, he explains and mes. But every now and then so- me at the end of our conversa- Lipnicki became the latest mem- none of our reviewers can com- I am talking to him and he ex- if people are excited still after fif- mething uniques comes through tion that I did ask some different ber to join the band. ment on that statement, Nuclear plains that he is a fan of the New teen , he is excited as well. those questions and surprises question so it was interesting, or - Since that album until now Blast. But one of the creators of Jersey Devils being a New Jersey - I mean that we have sixteen him. at least so he said. there seems to be a very positive the album is at least grande in his resident that comes naturally but records and people still have in- - had a guy ask me recently: type of aggression, we’re able to wording about it. also that the team is one likeable terest, to me that’s amazing. So “do you feel that the respect that The Electric Age play with a chip on our shoulder - think that ”The Electric Age” team, especially since Brodeur it is obviously a contemporary Overkill receives from the scene is ”The Electric Age” is the name of like we have something to prove. has that which we think is im- joined the team. For you who presentation that’s been rooted in based on the respect that Overkill the coming album by Overkill, it But that only lends itself to good portant and that’s energy and have no idea what I am talking our past and that it has value in has for the scene?” I said I’ve ne- is their sixteenth studio album. It results and I think ”The Electric contemporary presentation, va- about, use the invention called in- 2012 means more to me than ha- ver thought of such a thing but I is an album from a band that is Age” has got that power pack lue in the present day. ternet and look it up. So why do I ving value in the past. suppose we do have respect for at a unique spot right now, from type feel, that positive aggression As ”The Electric Age” is the new bring this up? Why not? but it is But with all this promotion, is it the scene. a band with a high level of en- with a chip on the shoulder. ”baby” Bobby has a hard time because Bobby explains that he’d work or can it be something fun? It is a scene that Overkill has ergy at the moment, energy that Bobby reckons that this chip comparing it to any of the earlier

Hallowed PDF-article 3 4 Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm albums as his head is so wrap- record with regards to produc- are satisfied and that is a prin- where we can look into the small been letting it develop while al- that that is always necessary for ped around this new album but tion can see that this album has a ciple that Overkill follow, not to details. I remember in the old ways making sure that they have an Overkill presentation. reckons that this album is timed more expensive sound according leave the studio before they are days when you used to lease a been playing live in between ses- correctly. At least the last two al- to Bobby and D.D. (Verni, Bass), satisfied with what they have ac- studio and had 28 days to record sions because if you can bring Interest and Touring bums by Overkill has been timed it has a bigger production where hieved. Therefore it is not that far and ten days to mix and that was that live feel into the album it be- The day before the interview Nu- correctly Bobby reckons and also the guitars are both bigger and fetched to believe that they are it, so if it wasn’t done it wasn’t comes a sort of X Factor that can clear Blast leaked the song Electric that the scene is very healthy at sleeker and it has a wall of sound. satisfied with the album which done. Now we have that luxury make the result something really Rattlesnake so now the interest for the moment. - But there’s a great separation Bobby explains that they are. He of going back and go over and re- special. the album is starting to build, be- - I think that had this record that takes any other instrument doesn’t know where it stands in check things. - If you can’t, you loose so- fore that Bobby explains that he been released in 1995 for instance into the mix but that mix is now comparison with the earlier al- And they have taken their time mething. If we’re playing festi- has had no idea how the interest it might have been overlooked a wall with regards to the sepa- bums but as they have a good with this album, around eight vals for instance in between re- for the album has been other than because the scene was not very ration, I think that’s unique with principle they can focus on the months to be more precise. That cording sessions I think it really the one from the press and media. healthy back then. I think that in regards to a thrash record. details nowadays. is the amount of time they have adds to what the final feel of the And so far they have heard most- 2012 we find ourselves in a situa- As Overkill has the luxury of - I am very happy with the used to assemble songs, record record is going to be and this re- ly positive things towards the tion where people crave this type using D.D.’s studio they have the way it turned out because I think demos and all of that. They star- cord has that kind of hopping followup to ”Ironbound” which of an approach to the music. luxury of time and the ability to that with us as producers of the ted with the drum tracks as far aggressive in your face, could be Bobby reckons was accepted as The comparison to the older remain in the studio until they record, this becomes a project back as June and then they have on the stage type feel and I think quite a successful album both in

Hallowed PDF-article 5 6 Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm terms of reviews and how it was Tuska, they will be doing approx- on stage, never, and when I am last year was my first time in Aus- accepted by the scene. imately ten festivals in Europe, home I miss being on the road so tralia and certain South American - I think from when I talk to and a European tour is planned it is kind of a confused issue. cities, Lima in Peru for instance. people that ”The Electric Age” is for september. According to Bob- And neither is the travelling So this still becomes very exciting seen as the next logical step, it is by a European tour is necessary a problem, as that is something to be able to say that there’s still not ”Ironbound”, it is a different and they are trying to come over Bobby likes doing and that is a places I haven’t seen yet, places record but it still has quite an im- to Europe at least once for each thing he shares with his wife so where I haven’t gone and that’s pact with it. album and it is still great to go even when he is not touring he really awesome. In april Overkill will hit the road one tour after all these years. goes places. And as he has a Eu- Close to three decades is a long for a US tour on which they will - I’ve been doing it for so long, ropean wife he goes to Europe time to be creative and to do one have company with Diamond it is such a part of me, it’s engrai- when visiting family as well so thing, sure music isn’t your eve- Plate and God Forbid as well as ned it’s almost like eating, sleep- for him the travelling is never ryday job and Bobby says that Suidakra. In april and may this ing and breathing. It’s funny and issue, it is a necessity but it is what keeps him motivated is that tour will happen and then during we all have families, wives and always exciting. it doesn’t feel like work. the summer there will be children, it’s like when your on - 26 years I’ve been touring and - My niece asked me once: “hey festivals in Europe the road you miss being amongst others home but I never Wacken miss it when and I am

Hallowed PDF-article Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm what do you really do for a living ful dog and I’ve met my wife on Overkill and Bobby “Blitz” Ells- come out that preceded this Metal in Canada with for instan- - There’s still guys following us uncle Bobby?” and I said that the road and started another bu- worth finish the tour for you. band’s forming but there was ce Exciter or Anvil so there were that are wearing a T-shirt from what I do is actually to avoid ma- siness and this business gave us - I think its how you perceive it no rules just chaos and there was many things happening in the the first record ”Feel the Fire” and nual labour, that’s what I do. that business and it all started and I don’t perceive it as a pro- something really charming about genre and many different scenes the shirt doesn’t fit anymore and To avoid manual labour is of with those first shows back in blem but more of a blessing and that chaos. and styles that were working in- it’s no longer black it’s grey and course the best kind of motiva- 1986 that we’ve done in Europe something positive. At this time there were se- dependently of one another, just the guy has no hair and he’s got tion I can think of, with that as a with Anthrax and it’s come all the veral separate and completely at the same time. Then after time a twenty year old daughter and motivation it is probably possible way to 2012. History vs Today independent from each others this chaos has stabilised and be- a seventeen year old son and he to keep going forever. Bobby also And for Bobby it is never a When touching on the subject scenes happening within the th- come a more controlled kind of brings them to an Overkill show explains that working in music problem with motivation, when of history with looking at the rash metal, it was a scene on the chaos where bands now probably because they like metal too and was what he dreamed of doing some band might complain over amount of time the band has ac- US west coast mostly known for knows more what they are doing they like Overkill. and that when you make a dream being on the road for extended tually been going, what has chan- those from the San Francisco Bay and that according to Bobby is This, Bobby thinks, is something come true, you don’t piss on that periods of time and says that they ged over the years? what is the Area with bands like Metallica, more powerful than just chaos. unique that it appeals to the fami- dream. After all it is a dream that are just longing to get home, he difference between the Overkill of Megadeth, Slayer and all of tho- The fans over this period of time lies and that this also shows that has given him almost everything says that he would gladly take the past and the Overkill of today? se, there was also a scene at the seems to have grown in numbers there is value in their music and he has. those shows and do them for According to Bobby the main dif- US east coast where Overkill are but not through the mass but that the value comes from purity - I am sitting for instance in the these bands if they do not want ference is that back in the early from, but there were also bands rather through the generations which is something people al- house that touring and working them. So that might be something days they didn’t know what they emerging in Germany with influ- over the circa three generations ways seems to appreciate. gave me and I just passed my to think of if you are a band and were doing, it was all chaos. ential bands like Kreator, Sodom that is the span of the music of - I think that one of the most wife in the hall with our beauti- tired of extended touring, let - There were demos that had and Destruction. Also the Speed Overkill and also the genre. unique things I have ever seen

Hallowed PDF-article Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm Overkill are: Bobby ”Blitz” Ellsworth – Lead vocals Dave Linsk – Lead guitar, Derek ”The Skull” Tailer – R. guitar, D.D. Verni – Bass Ron Lipnicki – Drums

was when I was doing a show ht appear rather small but if you be for other bands. This because in New Jersey that was sold out. look over the course of the entire the band is managing themselves It was what is called an “all age career these changes are quite and they have to book the right show” and it was in a place that noticeable according to Bobby. tour, pick the right cover art, the normally served alcohol but did They always try to evolve their right crew guys and more, Bobby not for this show so this gave the music and are not afraid to try explains that 98% of all Overkill opportunity to make it all ages. new things, and always looking presentations come across their The smoke came out and we to learn new things. desk. played the first song and then the - You know, a man stops lear- - I think that we have a higher smoke cleared and I could see th- ning, he stops progressing and stake in it and that’s how we rough a little bit of smoke to the then it might just be at that what learn the music business and pro- barricade and I could see this we were as opposed to what we bably adapt to what changes over little body clinging on to the bar- are. But I’ll try things differently this 25-year period. ricade with two big arms around on the records every time with Speaking of adapting to chan- this little body so that nobody my voice, every time, if it is sug- ges and new times, internet is a would smash in. And after the gested to me or I learn it from an- new thing, what about that? Has show I realised that it was a little other singer I’m gonna try it and the advent of internet as a musi- girl, I was outside the bus and it I think that’s the difference bet- cal promotor/distributor helped was her and her father came up ween what was and what is and Overkill? to me and said hello would I take if we continuously try to live in - It almost killed it! a picture with his daughter and the present that’s where the chan- - You could watch revenues I said sure. I asked her “how old ges come from. drop during a twelve month pe- are you?” and she said ten and I It also comes from them not riod of sixty percent based on the said “you’re ten, is this your first having the fear of someone ex- download. And we could hear concert?” and she said “no, I’ve claiming that they aren’t Overkill “this is one of your best records” seen Anthrax, I’ve seen Type O’ because of something new they but then why isn’t it selling? Negative” and I though holy shit, try, because they always are and The business end to it is no I guess it is a family affair. that is how it’s going to be Bobby good then, sales has decreased This is something that Bobby explains but they always have for everyone and Bobby explains reckons is both very cool but also to try new things and evolve in that when he and Overkill was unique, something that you pro- their music to avoid repeating the selling 150’000 copies of a record bably will not see anywhere else. same thing over and over. in the 90s, it wasn’t impressive at - What’s the sense of releasing all and now 150’000 copies gives Evolving & Adapting a record that is nice but your best you all sorts of privileges and a More changes than just band record was in 1990, that to me is band selling 60’000 copies today members, the construction of fans not exciting. is heralded as a band that can and how the scene has changed As some of you may know, mu- chart at a high level and when from chaos to something more sic is a business, at least selling Overkill was selling 150’000 copi- Overkill Discorgraphy: (1993) Bloodletting (2000) controlled of course has happe- music creating albums and such es in 1990 they didn’t even chart Feel the Fire (1985) W.F.O. (1994) Killbox 13 (2003) ned over these years. One of the- is an expensive endeavour and at anything close to a high level Taking Over (1987) The Killing Kind (1996) ReliXIV (2005) se things is the musical change of for Overkill who has been part of so the change in sells and reve- Under The Influence (1988) From the Underground and Immortalis (2007) Overkill, if you follow them from this business for 25 years or so the nues is quite big says Bobby. (1989) Below (1997) Ironbound (2010) record to record the changes mig- stakes are higher than they might But the internet is not all bad, it Horrorscope (1991) Necroshine (1999) The Electric Age (2012)

Hallowed PDF-article 11 Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm is a bit of a double edged sword ble edged sword, it is not the re- - I think the interaction has al- time and they hang out by the bus 2012 in the US and European rele- Overkill on the web: with one side of it making it very venues of the 1990s anymore but ways been part of the charm that and they bring their wives and ase on march 30th. Be sure to buy difficult to survive financially that’s just the way it is and I have this band has had with regards to their kids now and they send me the album and show the band http://wreckingcrew.com but it can also be used at a tool to accept that and be able to adapt how we’ve been perceived by the emails. If they are in New Jersey that the sales of the 90s can still be http://www.myspace.com/overkill they can use to remain in the pu- to the situation. What we do with scene and how we perceive the they stop by and that’s what it’s achieved today, and with that we http://is.gd/44dGJ5 - on NB blic eye as much as possible and the internet is to use it to promote scene as part of it asking people about for me, it’s not about some thank Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth http://www.lastfm.de/music/overkill as they are a band that is already us on a higher level. how they are and how they liked kind of a separation as you know for taking his time to answer our established they have better pos- As with regards to using the the show. I’ve met a lot of good I’ve never been better than any- questions. For a little Trivia, the name of the sibilities to get tours and those technology to interact with fans people over the years and kept body. It’s true, as soon as I start bat that is the mascot of Overkill kinds of things. For Bobby it is and the likes Bobby explains that in touch with some, great friends thinking I am I have sunken real is Chaly, you see him on the first just a question of evolving and the band has always been reacha- and people that actually come low, haven’t I? spread in this article. adapting because if you don’t ble and they have met and inte- and visit me that I have met th- And with that I just want to re- you will die. racted with the fans in relation to rough shows wether they be jour- mind you that The Electric Age is - I think of the internet as a dou- shows and such always anyway. nalists or fans that I’ve met over up for release the 27th of march

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