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Overkill/ Accept/ Sabaton/ Cypher SeerDate: 4/16/11 Venue: Best Buy theater, NYC Reviewed By: Rich Catino |
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Heavy Metal has surely made a resurgence in the U.S. within the past ten years, but tonight’s double bill with Accept and Overkill was the icing on the cake. Not only was the place packed but it was 50% over 30 years old and 50% 20 and under. So cool to see the younger generation representing in such strong numbers and the floor was constantly moving between the headbaging, mosh pits that were ignited like brushfires, and people going over the barricade. It was like a night at L’amours (the famous 80s metal club in Brooklyn) all over again. I missed openers New Jersey’s Cypher Seer, and Sweden’s Sabaton who sound like a second generation Manowar meets Rhapsody Of Fire with their epic triumphant style power metal. Accept in 2011 sees original members Wolf Hoffman (guitar) and Peter Baltes (bass) still joined by alumni Hermann Frank on guitar and Stefan Schwarzmann, and continue to ride their much deserved wave of success since their reformation, and rebirth, with Mark Tornillo on vocals. Is original singer Udo Dirkschneider missed, of course (and I do like his solo music), but dammit if Mark doesn’t easily make you forget about him. Doubt me...if you haven’t listened yet to their 2010 album "Blood Of The Nations" then you are missing out on another gem that is as good as the classic "Restless And Wild", "Balls to The Walls", and "Metal Heart". Playing a shorter set than usual (since Overkill were headliners) it was still power packed with anthems ‘Fast As A Shark’, ‘Metal Heart’, and of course ‘Balls To The Walls’, alongside newer sledgehammers ‘Teutonic Terror’, ‘Pandemic’, and the ‘Bucket Full of Hate’ which I was eagerly anticipating. The last time Accept were here in NYC (with King’s X in 2010), they kinda neglected the album "Balls To The Wall" so it was great to hear ‘Losers And Winners’. Maybe ‘London Leatherboys’ next time? With smiles from ear to ear, with Mark joining in from time to time, Wolf, Frank, and Peter would often bang heads rocking back and forth in unison showing this is not just a nostalgia trip. They exemplify what new blood can do for creativity and vitality. Like Accept, New Jersey’s wrecking crew Overkill are also continuing to enjoy the success from their latest album "Ironbound", doing one more show in the U.S. for 2011. Original members Bobby Blitz (vocals), DD Verni (bass) and the boys usually change the setlist a bit every time they come to the area, tonight seeing the return of ‘Evil Never Dies’ which was a killer second choice to follow ‘The Green and Black’ from "Ironbound", ‘Deny The Cross’ off "Taking Over" (still, I await ‘Electro-Violence’, ‘Overkill II’ or the return of ‘Powersurge’ would be cool), and ‘Bastard Nation’ from "W.F.O." Been a while since ‘Infectious’ made it to the stage and DD’s ominous bass lines opened the title track to "Horrorscope", but the anthems ‘Rotten To The Core’, ‘Wrecking Crew’, ‘Hello From The Gutter’ and 'Elimination’ I have grown tired of. They should really rotate the four, doing two and add in other classics from the 80s (‘Time To Kill’, ‘In Union We Stand’, ‘Shred’ maybe). And ‘Old School’ I know is fun and enjoyable (for some, not I), somewhat of an "anthem" now, but there is better. In 2011 Overkill is still relevant, vibrant and strong because they not only have consistently toured for over 20 years, but make great new music that lives up to their past. Here’s a good frame of reference to their value, when the Big Four (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax) is spoken of, more often than not it’s been expanded to the Big Seven because Overkill (with Exodus and Testament) deserve to be included. |
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