Overkill
Under The Influence

Perhaps someone will remember the ancient times when the internet was a vast and new expanse. Times when these cyber territories were explored aboard rickety 56k modems on shaky and unstable connections. Times when WinMx was the cutting edge, and the frontier advanced every day thanks to heroes who will never be spoken of enough. These heroes, these seemingly invulnerable beings, these shady characters, these cowards, were the procurers of "CDscaricatiEmasterizzati", which they peddled around at a high price.

Given my reactionary nature, but especially because the famous "CDscaricatiEmasterizzati" had a horrible quality, but especially because I've disliked trappers since the days of David Crockett, I always avoided purchasing anything from these characters (since free is one thing, but if I also have to pay...). However, the goods circulated through other means, and one of these was the art of bartering:

"Did you buy the latest Ciddi of so-and-so?"

"Will you lend it to me?"

"Come on, lend it to me?"

"Come on?"

When it didn't end with a slap, perhaps you could even bring home something nice.

One day, the resident metalhead at my school said to me: "Check these out, they sound like the Iron Maiden", looking at me with that knowing look. Well, I sure wasn't saying no to a free Ciddi. I got home and gave the Ciddi a listen; two things were immediately clear to me:

1) the guy may have been a metalhead, but I'm pretty sure he didn't know shit about metal

2) ah, thrash (or trahsh? or trashh? or htrash?) medal, what a vast territory: more than the internet!

In short, the album in question was "Under The Influence" by New Yorkers Overkill, and no: they have nothing to do with Iron Maiden.  

I won't dwell much on the album: it sounds like a mix between Megadeth and Anthrax (more for the rowdy attitude than anything else), with the bass generally in the foreground, a shrill and angry singer, songs not entirely linear and sometimes spot-on melodies.

If asked about the coolest thrash metal bands, aside from the usual four, I'd mention in order Testament, Dark Angel, and these Overkill. Of this Overkill, I would definitely recommend listening to "Under The Influence". Need anything else? But then, who the hell am I to recommend anything to anyone?!

For the record: I have always really appreciated light green on a black background.