New York thrash legends Overkill debuted their first album in 1985. Feel the Fire has been one of my favorite albums since the first time I heard it, and it's appeal has not worn off. The combination of Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth's vocals and D.D. Verni's bass lines are unmistakable. Once you hear them, you KNOW it's Overkill. Bobby Gustafson brings blazing speedy riffs with infectiously catchy rhythms to the able, and Rat Skates (awesome name!) turns in a relentless drum performance. Though the album was not released until 1985, Overkill had been playing a lot of these songs long before then at various shows throughout New York and New Jersey. Monetary issues stopped them from recording this earlier, but the album is still a legendary thrasher with the best bassist in thrash - D.D. Verni!
This record should be released 2 years later. I really respect these Thrash pioneers. Feel the Fire is in my opinion their best record. Yep...sometimes the first is the best....Full of classic tracks like the title track, Raise the Dead, Rotten to the Core or Hammerhead. Thrash Classic!!
About as fun as thrash gets. Great riffs and surprisingly strong vocals by Blitz, who sounds like a harsher Bruce Dickinson at this point rather than a thrashified Brian Johnson. If you like early-mid 80's thrash debut albums, no reason for you to not like this.
