Speed/Thrash Metal with HOOKS!

Review Score: (10/10)
I believe there are two schools of speed/thrash metal bands. You've got the Slayers and Morbid Angels with their pulsing, baroque soundscapes but not much in the way of songs. You get a bit tired of listening to the vocalist growl and howl without hitting a single melodic note.

Then you've got bands like Megadeth and Overkill who play hard, loud and fast but with actual songs! This is the joy of "Under The Influence", Overkill's career best album. From the slow grinder "Shred" to the fast-paced "Head First" to the insanely catchy "Hello From The Gutter", "Under The Influence" was and is one of my favorite metal albums of all time. It's a shame this band was and still is so underrated. If I am not mistaken, didn't Beavis and Butthead rip on an Overkill video once? Shame upon shame!

More Reviews:

• Solid, if not spectacular
• Hello from the gutter!
• Over Kill
• Not bad, not great
• OVERKILL / Under the Influence