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Vocals:  Bobby Blitz Ellsworth
Rhythm Guitar:  Dave Linsk, Derek Tailer
Lead Guitar:  Dave Linsk
Bass:  D. D. Verni
Drums:  Tim Mallare

With thirteen albums under their belt, one might think Overkill would have changed their sound or style by now, but no.  Not a chance.  When you go into a store to buy an Overkill album, you should know exactly what you're getting.  Such is the case here with Killbox 13, although the intensity seems to have tapered off and been replaced with a bit more mid/slow-paced diversity.

Diversity on an Overkill album?  Well, it's about as diverse as a band like Overkill gets, however it's not something that is done in a good way.  Instead of maybe taking their thrashy roots and blending it with say, a touch of blues...they take their thrashy roots, slow it down, and toss in a few influential styles here and there.  The over all effect doesn't sound so much like a "progressed" Overkill as it does like a "tired" Overkill.  With a mere three songs that stand out on Killbox 13, I guess you could say it comes across as a "Best of Overkill's Filler" album.  Not nearly as bad as I Hear Black, but not nearly as good as everything else by Overkill.

Song Notes:

1. Devil By The Tail - Not bad for a mid-paced song, but it constantly teases the listener into thinking the song is going to pick up into some old school Overkill.  The full throat wild man screams seem out of place coming from Ellsworth.  Double bass works well here giving the song a little more intensity than it deserves.  B
2. Damned - Best song on Killbox 13.  The vocals flow very well with the music until it slows down about two and a half minutes into the song.  It eventually picks back up again and turns into what Overkill does best.  The bass line from D. D. Verni in this is also very simple, but very dominant.  A-
3. No Lights - What a tired, sleepy song.  The chorus is not too bad for being light as a cupcake.  Picks up about three minutes into it, but drops right back off after another minute.  C-
4. The One - The guitar solo sounds great after listening to No Lights, although this is still typical Overkill mid-paced filler.  Strong chorus, but everything else is entirely forgettable.  C-
5. Crystal Clear - Slow, sludgy, bottom-heavy bunk.  Slightly picks up for about 30 seconds after you work your way through about three and a half minutes of this slop, and is honestly the only part of the song worth it's weight in salt.  D
6. The Sound Of Dying - Doesn't start out too bad, and even includes a decent solo which sounds straight out of Megadeth's Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?  Slows down in the middle for no other apparent reason than to stretch the song out, though.  C+
7. Until I Die - Sickly slow song with short breaks of double bass and squawking guitars.  After five minutes of this garbage, Overkill explodes for about 20 seconds of premium Overkill-style thrash.  Why, Overkill?  Why?  D-
8. Struck Down - Interestingly enough, Struck Down sounds like From The Underground And Below-era Overkill mixed with early Iron Maiden.  B-
9. Unholy - Overkill simply returning to mid-90's form.  B+
10. I Rise - Starts out with some ass kicking goodness, but they can't keep up the intensity for the entire song.  Kudos on the bluesy tone, though.  B

Average Song Rating:  C
Overall Album Rating:  C-

Also be sure to read:
Overkill - The Killing Kind Quick Review by Shev

Track Listing:
1.  Devil By The Tail
2.  Damned
3.  No Lights
4.  The One
5.  Crystal Clear
6.  The Sound Of Dying
7.  Until I Die
8.  Struck Down
9.  Unholy
10. I Rise

Website:  www.wreckingcrew.com

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