OverkillRELIXIV

Genre:

Rock

Style:

Speed Metal

Year:

Tracklist

Within Your Eyes 6:06
Love 5:40
Loaded Rack 4:44
Bats In The Belfry 4:47
A Pound Of Flesh 3:38
Keeper 5:13
Wheelz 5:11
The Mark 2:14 5:54
Play The Ace 5:35
Old School 3:51

Credits (8)

Versions

Filter by
    19 versions
    Image , In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory
    Version Details Data Quality
    Cover of ReliXIV, 2005, Vinyl ReliXIV
    LP, Picture Disc, Album
    Regain Records – RRPLP 058 Sweden 2005 Sweden2005
    New Submission
    Cover of RELIXIV, 2005-03-22, CD RELIXIV
    CD, Album
    Spitfire Records – SPT 15159-2 US 2005 US2005
    Cover of ReliXIV, 2005, Vinyl ReliXIV
    LP, Album
    Regain Records – RRPLP 058 Sweden 2005 Sweden2005
    Recently Edited
    Cover of ReliXIV, 2005, CD ReliXIV
    CD, Album
    Regain Records – RR 058 Sweden 2005 Sweden2005
    Cover of ReliXIV = レリックス, 2005-02-23, CD ReliXIV = レリックス
    CD, Album
    Regain Records – CL-4602 Japan 2005 Japan2005
    Recently Edited
    Cover of ReliXIV, 2005, CD ReliXIV
    CD, Album, Promo, Cardboard Sleeve
    Regain Records – RR 058 Sweden 2005 Sweden2005
    Recently Edited
    Cover of RELIXIV, 2005, CD RELIXIV
    CD, Album, Unofficial Release
    Spitfire Records (3) – SPT 15159-2 Russia 2005 Russia2005
    New Submission
    Cover of RELIXIV, 2005, CD RELIXIV
    CD, Album, Unofficial Release
    Spitfire Records (3) – SPT 15159-2 Russia 2005 Russia2005
    Cover of RELIXIV, 2005-09-19, CD RELIXIV
    CD, Album
    CD-Maximum – CDM 0705-2342 Russia 2005 Russia2005
    New Submission
    Cover of RELIXIV, 2005, CD RELIXIV
    CD, Album, Promo
    Eagle Rock Entertainment – none US 2005 US2005
    New Submission
    Cover of ReliXIV, 2005-02-23, CD ReliXIV
    CD, Album, Promo
    Regain Records – CRCL-4602 Japan 2005 Japan2005
    New Submission
    Cover of RELIXIV, 2005, CD RELIXIV
    CD, Album
    Hellion Records – HEL0424 Brazil 2005 Brazil2005
    Recently Edited
    Cover of RELIXIV, 2005, CD RELIXIV
    CD, Album
    Spitfire Records – SPT-CD-15159 US 2005 US2005
    New Submission
    Cover of RELIXIV, 2007, CD RELIXIV
    CD, Album
    Moon Records (2) – MR 2610-2 Ukraine 2007 Ukraine2007
    New Submission
    Cover of ReliXIV, 2009-11-02, CD ReliXIV
    CD, Album, Remastered, Numbered, Limited Edition, Reissue, Digipak
    Metal Mind Productions – MASS CD 1349 DG Poland 2009 Poland2009
    Recently Edited
    Cover of RELIXIV, 2011, CD RELIXIV
    CD, Album, Reissue
    Del Imaginario Discos – D.I. 122 Argentina 2011 Argentina2011
    New Submission
    Cover of ReliXIV, 2012, CD ReliXIV
    CD, Album, Reissue, Digipak
    The Store For Music – SFMCD254 Europe 2012 Europe2012
    Recently Edited
    Cover of ReliXIV, 2013, Vinyl ReliXIV
    2×LP, Album, Reissue
    The Vinyl Countdown – SFMVC1218 UK & Europe 2013 UK & Europe2013
    New Submission
    Cover of RELIXIV, , CD RELIXIV
    CD, Album, Repress
    Hellion Records – HEL0424 Brazil Brazil
    Recently Edited

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    Reviews

    • Wuchak's avatar
      Wuchak
      Solid (mind-numbing) album highlighted by “Wheelz,” “Old School” and a couple other songs

      Released in 2005, RELIXIV was Overkill’s 13th full-length studio album and 14th if you count their debut self-titled platter, which was an EP (later included on their 1997 compilation). This explains the album’s title: Relix with the Roman numeral XIV at the end. As far as the diction goes, Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth pronounced it as “Relics” on stage, so the full pronunciation would be “Relics 14.”

      I was mainly interested in RELIXIV for “Wheelz,” which is the top track on the album and one of Overkill’s best songs, sort of akin to Judas Priest’s “You Got Another Thing Coming” (not that it sounds like that song).

      In an interview Ellsworth seemed to write-off RELIXIV for its dubious production, which the band did themselves. I personally don’t have a problem with it because the instruments are all clear, the mix is fine and the guitars are crushing, albeit raw and thin. My only issue is that the production is so one-dimensional the album becomes mind-numbing after about 4-5 songs. But, again, I don’t have a problem with it, perhaps because I appreciate bands experimenting with their sound so their recordings don’t come across as “same old, same old.”

      The punkish “Old School” is probably the most popular song and became a live staple. It’s sort of a joke song, but one that’s actually good with a fun sing-a-long chorus. Who says Overkill can’t be lighthearted and amusing? The catchy “Bats in the Belfry” is the next most memorable track, although it’s not on the level of “Wheelz.” The opener “Within Your Eyes” begins akin to “For those about to Rock We Salute You” before it morphs into pummeling thrash with great groovin’ post-chorus followed by a mind-blowing lead solo by Dave Linsk (easily Overkill’s all-time best lead guitarist). “Play the Ace” features a start/stop riff and stands out due to its Bon Scott-ish attitude. “Love” is quirky with a notable chorus. “A Pound of Flesh” is mind-numbing thrash with a catchy instrumental breakdown.

      The other three songs are decent, but rather forgettable: “Loaded Rack” is kinetic with some interesting riffs; the energetic “Keeper” is thrashy with a cool opening and relatively hooky chorus; and the solid “The Mark” is mostly memorable for fading out with a curious blues metal sequence.

      While RELIXIV may not stand with Overkill’s top albums (e.g. THE KILLING KIND, FROM THE UNDERGROUND AND BELOW and KILLBOX 13), it’s not one of their worst either. It’s somewhere in the middle — a solid release with a few highlights.

      GRADE: B

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      78 copies from €3.57

      Statistics

      • Avg Rating:4.01 / 5
      • Ratings:212

      Videos (11)

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