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Live Reviews : Overkill, Entropy & Cold Fate @ Rosemount Hotel, Perth 04/03/2018

By on March 5, 2018

If you were to look beyond the big 4 of thrash (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax) there would be a plethora of acts who have released quality materials since the 1980’s. From the likes of: Death Angel, Testament, Kreator, Sodom, Destruction and many more bands out there. Overkill is another such example of this who have been releasing consistent albums since their debut record “Feel the Fire” which was released in 1985. Originally formed out of New Jersey in the early 1980’s they have crafted their own trademark sound on a style of music which in a way has become generic in a manner of speaking. Frontman Bobby Ellsworth has an instantly recognizable vocal style which is up there in the pantheon of heavy metal.

First up on the night was local thrash heroes Cold Fate. Being a crowd favourite over the years particularly due to the insane lead work of Cameron Nicolas and the solid backbone drum work of Sebastian Giorgi. Frontman Paul Di Scerni whipped the crowd into a frenzy of neck-breaking thrash anthems and was the perfect kickoff to such an evening. More shows from Cold Fate please as they always deliver in the live environment and here’s hoping that the second full-length album isn’t too far away.

Second on the night were deathcore merchants Entropy. I for one questioned this type of band for a show like this as it didn’t really fit in with the theme of the evening. I’ll be honest and say deathcore is not my cup of tea at all and I got bored pretty quickly with what this band had to offer. But music is subjective and they seem to be working hard at their craft and those rewards are coming through to them.

Overkill ripped through the heart of an already pumped crowd at the Rosemount Hotel and delivered in every way imaginable. Opening the set with “Mean, Green, Killing Machine” from their latest record “The Grinding Wheel” this was exactly what I was hoping for. Blitz had the crowd under his every order and showed why he is so revered by vocalists around the world in heavy metal. Jason Bittner previously of Boston’s Shadows Fall behind the kit demonstrating his blistering breakneck drumming. The lead guitar work of Dave Linsk was sharp and gave everyone what was needed on the night because as a lot of us know thrash is all about the riffs (or at least it is to me).

An extremely professional and enjoyable evening see the mighty Overkill out of New Jersey/New York and hoping they return to Oz again in years to come. Having not been a fully fledged fan prior to this show I can definitely say that I am now!