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Interview conducted by Robert Williams

Videography courtesy of Sandra Torres

After thirty years of wrecking necks live, East Coast thrash metal legends Overkill are still in their prime, as evidenced by this year’s excellent onslaught of an offering dubbed "Ironbound". Hitting the road in support of the new record, the green and black attack headlined the aptly-named KILLFEST tour atop a bill that also featured God Dethroned, Vader, Evile, Warbringer and Woe of Tyrants. Overkill frontman Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth is in good spirits this night in Austin, Texas as he cracks jokes and fills us in on life out on the road. The subject of the evening is primarily focused on the pummeling new Overkill record and the band’s immediate tour plans. Rather than placing too much emphasis on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the band’s debut album "Feel the Fire", Blitz seems very content with the band’s present achievement and looks to the future of the band with excitement and anticipation. Tonight’s concert is further proof why now is as good a time as any, to be an Overkill fan.

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Overkill/Infernal Majesty/Stress Factor 9
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Richard?s On Richards
Vancouver, BC  Canada

**Live Review & All Photos By Lord of The Wasteland

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Vocalist Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth

Interview By Lord of The Wasteland/Transcription by Adam & Jodi

**All pics from Wreckingcrew.com

Twenty years is a long time?longer than some of the readers about to pore over this interview will have even been on this Earth, yet thrash legends, Overkill, are celebrating that monumental anniversary with the release of their 14th studio album, entitled RELIXIV (pronounced ?Relics?).  A lot has happened in those twenty years and the band has seen many members come and go but with vocalist Bobby ?Blitz? Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni at the helm from day one, Overkill is ready to take on the world with a huge tour (finally including Canadian and U.S. west coast stops) and a celebration of sorts for having survived twenty years in the heavy metal trenches.

I spoke with Ellsworth in early-March and found him to be one of the funniest subjects I have ever interviewed.  After clearing the air with a discussion about the NHL players? strike, we got down to business with a 85-minute chat about the new album, big plans for the band?s 20th anniversary, the early days of Overkill, surviving the 90s, his health, why there are always ten songs on their albums, what?s it?s like being known as the ?working man?s metal band? and about a hundred other things!  Enjoy?

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