Written by deadone on 01.07.2014 at 08:50

I actually really enjoy the long songs even though I prefer faster, shorter ones.

I find the short ones to be some of the best in the genre - catchy, memorable and full of energy.

I agree this is certainly not Ride The Lightning but then what is.

Well, obviously the long songs aren't for everyone. I guess they are competently performed but sometimes I think they would have benefitted from more progression. For instance on the title track, it starts off with an acoustic part which in 3 minutes doesn't really take the song anywhere in particular, and finally when the electric guitar riff comes in, melodically it's exactly the same as the acoustic riff just with a little bit of chugging. And then a little more flavour gets added but by that point I'm well bored of it.

And not much is Ride The Lightning, but to me that album is a benchmark for a certain kind of thrash album "layout" of sorts. I think Overkill was trying to do the whole mix of fast/slow songs and long ones and throw in a ballad here and there thing that was going on it RTL/MoP but for me the songwriting skill to pull it off with a really great result just wasn't there.

Good review I see your point completely, personally I don't mind the long songs, but I can see why it would turn some people off. Let's face it, Overkill ain't part of the big four because
They're not as good as bands like Slayer and Anthrax in terms of songwriting. Of course that is my opinion. But... still for me The Years of Decay, remains a classic Thrash Album and a must for Thrash fans.

All that's left for me to say is... that... I HATE !

Written by Guib on 01.07.2014 at 20:26

They're not as good as bands like Slayer and Anthrax in terms of songwriting. Of course that is my opinion. But... still for me The Years of Decay, remains a classic Thrash Album and a must for Thrash fans.

Even though I don't think it's a classic, I would still say it's a good one for any thrash fan to at least TRY, cause I can see why people like it.

Written by Guib on 01.07.2014 at 20:26

All that's left for me to say is... that... I HATE !

Haha, Bobby Blitz is awesome, I couldn't help but read that in his voice.

Written by deadone on 02.07.2014 at 02:31

I've never viewed this album as a benchmark for thrash metal lay out cause I figure Exodus did it before with Pleasures of the Flesh and Fabulous Disaster. Indeed by the time Years of Decay came out (late 1989), Thrash only had 2 years left as a major genre.

I don't know if this album is viewed as benchmark by many people. A lot of people certainly consider it a "classic" or Overkill's best. I haven't heard all their albums but hearing a couple songs from Ironbound makes me think for my tastes The Years of Decay isn't their best.

Written by deadone on 02.07.2014 at 05:21

Opinions, eh?

Yeah, that's about it. Funny how you mentioned Ironbound not being memorable too, it's been probably 3 years since I heard it but I can remember almost all of the title track (one of 2 songs I heard from it) riff for riff. HOW FAR CAN YOU TAKE IT AS YOU GOOOOOOO.... IRONBOUND

To each their own.

I would take Ironbound (and maybe even The Electric Age) over TYOD any day. Elimination was the only song I found even remotely interesting on here. I Hate was okay.
Then again, I never liked early Overkill.

Written by deadone on 02.07.2014 at 05:45

And it's been 3 years since you last listened to Ironbound? That's sacriliege. I still crank it pretty regularly.

Their worst album that I've heard in my opinion was W.F.O. - the bass sound completely ruins it for me. It grates so much I can't listen to it.

When I heard Ironbound was back when I just bought songs here and there on itunes, and very occasionally a CD. I don't really like downloading music without paying for it (unless it's free from bandcamp or something) and I don't use the computer that had all those songs on it anymore. Ironbound is actually on my to-buy list though.

I heard a song from W.F.O. too and it was pretty much shit. I find it kind of funny when I hear people vehemently defend Overkill for "staying true to their thrash roots, unlike all the sellouts"... Meanwhile, there's some really shitty 12th rate thrash in Overkill's discography. But people excuse it just because it's thrash. my theory anyways.

Very well balanced between fast and brutal Thrash Metal and the mid tempo parts aswell, but still maintaing the heaviness. In some parts, the vocals didn´t appeal that much to me, but the ábum in general is a banger. It gave me some neck pain here and there, that´s a good sign.