Battle of the bands
It's a battle of east vs. west today.
Overkill
vs.
Testament
Overkill emerged from the New York/New Jersey area in the early 80's and slowly built a following. They released an EP and an album on Megaforce before signing to a major. Their popularity increased hitting a peak around the late 80's very early 90's. They are still going on releasing an album every other year and touring regularly.
Testament started as Legacy in the Bay area scene. They rose through the ranks and changed names and singers. They were signed to a major label for their debut and climbed in popularity peaking around 1990. They pushed on through the rest of the 90's with line-up and style changes. The last decade has seen them come and go and come again with a few albums and some major supporting slots on tours.
***Which band do you prefer?
Labels: Battle of the bands, Overkill, Testament
posted by Metal Mark at
4:37 AM
11 Comments:
Wow that's a tough one. I love both bands.What makes it equally tough is that both bands have completely differant styles.
Testament I would say has a more brutal thrash style with songs of a more socio political stance while Overkill strayed away from thrash to a more straight ahead metal approach with the exception of the new album.
Overkill has more releases then Testament but I guess if I had to go over both band's bodies of work I'd have to give the nod by a slight margin to Testament based on the amount of albums I enjoyed more from them then Overkill.
Both bands are good, but I've always liked Overkill a bit more. I still listen to them occasionally, but almost never listen to Testament anymore (I only have the first one anyway).
well, I have to agree with the other two gents who already posted. They really are two different "beasts" altogether.
*I would say that I certainly like TESTAMENTS debut a lot better than OVERKILL's first "Feel the Fire". I am not counting the "first"(EP).
However I loved the next three releases from OVERKILL.
I would say that after their initial mark on the Metal World TESTAMENT kinda' faded in and out -where it seemed that OVERKILL was usually pretty solid and never quit.
Of course both bands have had their fair share of line up changes but each were able to carry on throughout the "metal years".
I listen to both bands (on different days) for different reasons. If I want some strong power metal (that I can sing the killer "shout"-type BG vox too) then OVERKILL's my pick.
If I want to hear more technical playing with a left-coast thrash sound, then I will grab TESTAMENT.
Luckily I was able to meet BOTH bands and interview them throughout the years and they were EQUALLY cool!!
And they were BOTH always great live.
**I would like to chime in here and just say that the last TESTAMENT release was great and one of their BEST ever!
+ it was just killer that they were able to pull that off so late in their "career"...
but don't count OVERKILL out as they are about to release one of their BEST in ages as well here in 2010.
I will just have to leave it as a tie in my book! Nice match...
Curt King
Demolish Metal Mag.
Chicago HQ
That's a toughie.
When Overkill is good, they're really good, but when they're bad they are truly terrible.
Testament was consistently good until they ditched Alex Skolnick and forgot what "melody" is.
As far as consistency goes, I'll take Testament even though I can't listen to Low, Demonic or Ritual. They are one of the best live bands ever and I try to see them every chance i get. Overkill's first 2 get more play in my stereo than any of Testament's albums. I haven't cared for anything they've done since Horrorscope, which wasn't even that good.
I call it a tie.
After a lengthy discussion (so long, it'll probably end up on my blog) I've decided that I JUST CAN'T DECIDE. For various reasons, I love both of those bands too much to ever allow myself to pick one over the other.
Gotta go with Overkill. I was a hardcore "blood metal donor" and saw them many, many times at Lamour before the EP came out through whenever the 2nd tape came out. They were AWESOME! They set off an explosion once that remains the loudest thing I've ever heard. I really thought the roof was gonna cave it!
Also saw them at the Rising Sun in Yonkers with S.O.D. as the opening act! MINT!
Magpie is spot-on. I remember being downright embarrassed for Overkill during a few spots on "Under the Influence". They sure seem like nice guys, though.
I'll take Testament.
I like both, but it really comes down to who I listen to more often and that would be Overkill.
Good turnout so I will likely be doing battle of the bands every two weeks from now on probably the second and forth weeks of the month.
C'mon, how can I possibly choose between these two Thrash legends?!! Man, I'm calling for a TIE!!! Alright, if I really have to choose... Over Kill. Both being core Thrash Metal bands of mine, this is one of the toughest Metal decisions I've ever had to make.
I listen to Over Kill constantly, with Blitz and D.D. being so true to their band and Thrash, the blue collar Metal ethic they exhibit, plus they put out solid albums throughout the "so-called" dreary '90's like no tomorrow. Over Kill live IS an experience to boot.
Chuck Billy and Testament are Metal warriors too.
No, it's still a tie... ugh. I can't go back on my Metal word... Over Kill.
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