What do you do when you want to make a new Drudkh record but your keyboard player isn't up for it? Release a Windswept album.

FEB:

1.


2.


3.


4.





JAN:
1. Flotsam and Jetsam - The End of Chaos
2. Soilwork - Verkligheten
3. Altarage - The Approaching Roar

How does that Overkill compare to their previous 3 releases?

I've heard it's good, but not in the same class as the last few. If so, I won't buy it.

Just as good tbh.
Probably a bit better than The Grinding Wheel but not quite as good as Ironbound.

Basically Ironbound Mk. V. If you like modern-Overkill, then there’s something to like here, maybe just a tad predictable, though I love the punky turn of ‘Garden State’.

I thought Ironbound was good but not great, this is less great than White Devil Armoury but better than The Grinding Wheel.

I can't differentiate between one Overkill album and another these days. They've all been pretty good for the last few years. If someone were to play one and ask me which it was I wouldn't have a fucking clue.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It's definitely a step back in the direction of the sound they made their name on in the early 00's. Though with only one original member left, it does sometimes come across like a really fine turned tribute band.

That's why I held off buying The Wings of War until I heard reports from people I trust.

It's a pretty good album, but it's just another Overkill album. Having said that, their batting average is much higher this decade than it was in the previous decade or in the 90's, so it is really nothing to complain about if you like their style.

Many people are preferring Beast In Black to Battle Beast (eg. for sounding too much like Nightwish) but I'm sticking with Battle Beast.

That’s how I tend to feel about them these days. They are certainly consistent. But it does raise the question about whether a change is needed, because despite the consistency, it just starts to blur into one.

I know it’s difficult on groups this far into their career, and it is very much their livelihood so why would you rock the boat, but sometimes I feel like I want an artist to take a chance (although I I’m not necessarily referring Overkill, as they seem pretty genuine about this direction their on, so I’m not cynical about their path).

Obviously it’s easier said than done. Something like the return-to-form of Ironbound is probably the best result for a band 20+ years in, and it certainly help reignite interest in the band and got them on the current wave they’re riding. Apart from a change in line-up (particularly primary songwriters à la Cradle of Filth of recent years) you probably can’t expect too much change.

The hype around Ironbound was legitimate. People were excited to see a veteran band roar back from the dead, but that was 9 years ago. When The Grinding Wheel came out, most of that excitement had died down and the band were just doing their thing, for better or worse.

In the end, it really comes down to how much you like their style. That determines your general tolerance level. For me the real question is this: how good are the songs? That is the main factor as the style is a foregone conclusion. We already know what it's going to sound like.

Same goes for every other classic/veteran rock or metal band.

This is a classic case of damned if you do and damned if you dont. I can certainly see why some bands choose to experiment or change after a certain number of years.

The new BIB is better than the new BB.
Actually, the new BIB is better than most things tbf (if you like that kind of stuff)

The new BB is a bit more serious than before. It's like they looked at BIB's '80s glitterball disco party and reacted by being less bouncy.

1. American Football - American Football


2. Westkust - Westkust


3. Týr - Hel


Honorary mention to a Febuary that I can't stop listening to that I only got into this month

Avantasia - Moonglow

Although it usually isn't planned, it often comes off like a strategic move. You give the fans something different to make them love what you originally offered more. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, you don't truly appreciate what you have until it's gone etc etc. That kind of thing.

The danger in straying from your original style for too long is that you can really alienate your fanbase to the point of no return, or it can take you a while to find your feet again. e.g Paradise Lost

Devil Master - Satan Spits on Children of Light


Also liked:
Csejthe - L'Horreur de Čachtice
Akrotheism - Law of Seven Deaths
Magic Circle - Departed Souls