We all know by now that Overkill delivers the goods time after time after time. But it seems like about every fourth record or so, they outdo themselves and create a masterpiece which reminds everybody why they have been so strong for so long. "Immortalis" is such a record. I would rank it with "Taking Over", "Horrorscope" and "Bloodletting" as the cream of the Overkill crop.

There has been some criticism that Overkill don't thrash as much as they used to. I don't really see that myself, but nobody could say they lack the speed on "Immortalis". It contains some of their most bloodthirsty, oldschool thrash licks to give the boot right up the critic's asses. And at the same time, there's also plenty of that thick sleazy groove that the band has been known for. I guess you could say that "Immortalis" sums up the band's whole career.

Overkill's manic frontman Blitz doesn't sound like he's ready for a lounge music gig at Howard Johnson's anytime soon. He probably unleashes more high pitched screams here than on any previous record going all the way back to the mid-80's. Opener "Devils In the Mist" exhibits the band's thrashier side and has Blitz in fine form. Production is nice and dry and analog...very old school but very clear. Second cut "What It Takes" is even better and is an all-time Overkill classic...stomping, raging metal with great riffs. On "Skull and Bones", Blitz is joined on vocals by the rock-crushing Randy Blythe from Lamb of God and the result is extra heavy even by Overkill standards.

From there on, it's all classic stuff ranging from the mid-paced thump of "Hellish Pride" to "Walk Through Fire" which features a riff identical to Bon Scott-era AC/DC to the multi-faceted "Hell Is", with more great Blitzing screams. Most fittingly, the record wraps up with "Overkill V...The Brand", the latest in the series of tunes dating all the way back to "Feel The Fire". It's eerie and ominous and has one mid-section gallop that's the closest Overkill has ever come to death metal.

Who the fuck could be stupid enough to deny these guys? Even if you've been lukewarm on the latest albums, "Immortalis" will be enough to stoke your fire once more...