After Overkill finished “Fuck You,” there was an odd announcement in Nokia Theater, “If anyone knows anything about the car fire on 45^th Street please see the police outside.”  I chuckled musing that they would assume one of us is an arsonist.  Thinking nothing of it, I walked out into Nokia’s beautiful bar area.  I hugged a friend from high school, cursed at and flipped off another’s sexist brother, and we climbed out of the 100-foot deep hole that Nokia is buried in.

As we emerged and the world came into view, we were surrounded by cops, fireman, and men in suits.

I’ll rewind for you, the evening was a perfect first day of May when we arrived.  We had to wade through the endless amount of bodies in Times Square occupying space on the sidewalk.  And I literally thought to myself “As annoying as this mass of people is, it’s so good to see tourism back.”  We entered Nokia Theater as Woe of Tyrants was finishing.  I was disappointed we missed them because I hear good things about them.

May  26, 2010

Report, Photos & Drawings by: Lynora

Nokia Theatre - Times Square
1515 Broadway
NYC, New York 10036 USA
212-930-1950 

Saturday - May 1, 2010

BANDS:
Woe of Tyrants
Warbringer
God Dethroned
Evile
Vader
Overkill

A cold fog rolled in as we waited for the 25-year veterans, Overkill.  Their silver anniversary tour was concluding after their set.  The lights finally went down and the bass popped through, playing the opening to their newest album Ironbound.  The “Green and Black” crept in to alternating green lights making shapes of green throughout Nokia Theater.  I had my fingers crossed for “Green and Black,” as it is my favorite intro to an Overkill album, and it’s one hell of a song.  Having seen Overkill several other times, this time was no different; they, as always, played a great lineup.  Also off of Ironbound   they played “Bring Me the Night” and “Ironbound.”  If you don’t know the drill, then Blitz introduced the rest of the songs as he always does.  It’s like he’s sneaking up on you in funny and surprising manner, which usually results in him screaming the name at you right at the end of his statement, and you’re already screaming cause the song is starting and it just what you wanted to hear.   Some more from the set was “Rotten to the Core,” “The Wrecking Crew,” “Hello from the Gutter,” “Bare Bones,” “Gasoline Dream,” “Elimination” “Battle” “Coma” “Old School” and one of my favorite songs of all time, “Necroshine.” 

Overkill's Killfest Tour - 2010

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We stood in the back for Warbringer, who fans are something fierce.  They were crazed, and at points seem determined to circle nonstop for their set.  While we were leaning against the back wall no one took the liberty of standing in front of me so Warbringer’s relentless explosive circle pits erupted into me several times.  A one point it felt like a boulder was shoved into me.  This man was so thick it was like getting hit square in my stomach with something the density of a collapsed sun.  Warbringer’s fans donned sombreros, they waved them at the singer who acknowledged them but didn’t care to elaborate, leaving it as some delicious little secret between the fans and him. 

Warbringer was good, period.  They were energetic, thrashy, well composed, and fun to watch.  With a neo-thrash sound, they were a perfect fit with Overkill.  With excellent guitars, a retro 80’s vibe, and an intelligent modern take on thrash, they don’t pull any punch, or try to confuse you with any cheap tricks.  After hearing “Total War,” and “Prey for Death” I look forward to hearing more from these young men.  According to singer John Kevill they’ll be “back with Pestilence,” which sounded more like a threat then a tour announcement, in June.  Pestilence is headlining the tour, which features Warbringer, Enfold Darkness, and Vital Remains.  It’s the majority of the month of June and it wraps up with me in New York on the 17^th.  Seriously, if Warbringer is in your neighborhood, put on your sombrero and come on down.

After Warbringer was God Dethroned.  Their singer Henri Sattler pointed out that New York was once New Amsterdam, but we lack the pot. So therefore we should all just go to Old Amsterdam!  Following the Amsterdam enthusiasts was Vader.  Two New York stereotypes were asking a young man in their half-Italian, half-Brooklyn accent who was coming on next as they hovered next to the trash can.  “Vader,” he said.  “Vader? You mean like that Star Wars shit?”  Someone missed the trash.  “Hey Paisan, why don’t you get it in the trash next time?”  They continued to talk to themselves asking things like whatever happened to good music like Dean Martin.  Their antics could have easily been Hellfest’s second stage.

Dave Linsk live is a pleasure to watch and hear, while Bobby Blitz looks as if every wired muscle on him was put there to make him scream better.  D.D. Verni is the most evil man in the world, yes; Derek “The Skull” still looks as such while holding down the rhythm guitars, and Lipnicki continues to win me over as I’m still enamored with Malloy who hasn’t even been there for 5 years.

Overkill, of course, closed with “Fuck You,” and, as I said, hugs, cursing, and then we walked out into the evacuated Times Square.  The streets were crawling with cop cars, fireman, and men in suits while ambulances were in constant motion.  It was here walking down the street from the closed Subway that we were getting word that it was a failed bomb.  People were evacuated and standing on the side of the street while others were walking with their luggage getting out of town.

If I had to pick one place to be stuck in the city I think we were in a good spot.  100 feet underground screaming “Fuck You” with all my brothers and Bobby Blitz seems way better then being in a state of nervous confusion out in the air with no concrete and none of your people around you.  It was good to be in a metal fort with Hellfest during this strange evening.  I am just glad it didn’t turn to hell right over our heads.

TO THE TOP

Overkill

Overkill

© 2010
Lynora Conti

Overkill's Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth

Overkill

Vader

God Dethroned

Warbringer

Overkill's Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth

© 2010 Lynora Conti

(Click on Drawing to Enlarge)

(Click on Drawing to Enlarge)