Words by: Stan Zalota III
Photography by: Ken Schuler
Interview by: Kristyn Clarke
KILLFEAST 2012 Of course top billing for this spring thrash metal extravaganza belongs to one of the true legends of east coast metal Overkill. They ripped up the stage as they have been doing for 30+ years, but first let’s credit them for the existence of this tour. On Killfeast they have pulled from the top shelf of younger thrash bands, to come out and run with the one the masters of genre. Taking on the role of teachers as well as headliners is not the popular route, so kudos to the guys that continue to put in the work to keep thrash alive beyond themselves. It is also refreshing for this metal fan to go to a good show, see six quality bands, and still have enough cash for a few cold ones at the venue. Giving the fans there money’s worth what a novel idea.
Now as for the on stage performance, I sure hope someone from God Forbid, Diamond Plate, Suidakra and the like was taking notes during the last set of the night. Don’t misunderstand they are all talented bands and they all get respect from me for doing it their own way. But no one I have seen this year has match the energy Overkill brought to the stage. I talked to some guys in the pit about the new album “The Electric Age” and the consensus is that Overkill can’t make a bad album. They opened their set with “come and get it” the first track on the new disc. They continued to blitz the crowd through sixteen more songs as they mixed the new stuff in with some of their classics like “Hello From the Gutter”, Rotten to the Core”, and of course “ Wrecking Crew”. All the while Chaly (their skeletal bat mascot) watched from high up on his perch above the crowd waiting to swoop down on the faint of heart. They slowed the pace only for a minute for a sing along rendition of “Old School” that seemed the perfect moment it time to capture for the memory bank. They ramped it right back up to finish the set, closing with their ever popular cover version of the Subhumans classic track “F**k You”. Yes I would say if you did not enjoy KILLFEAST this year you should stop going to metal shows and take up needle point or maybe learn to play bridge. Leave the shows for us young at heart.
Interview with Overkill’s Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth:
Photos from the show:
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