Thrashterpiece. More likely than not you know the term, and it's a given that you own at least one: TESTAMENT - "The New Order", METALLICA - "Master Of Puppets", MEGADETH - "Rust In Peace", CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - "Blind"...you get the drift. So it stands to reason you own or have heard a little neck wrecking number released by OVERKILL in the year of our Thrash 1991, ominously entitled "Horrorscope". A cherished classic from the pinnacle of the original Thrash movement, "Horrorscope" has been long considered the coup de gras for the tenacious New Jersey Thrashers, and appropriately so. "Horrorscope" is overflowing with crowbar-to-the-head guitar riffs, D.D. Verni's trademark mesmerizing bass skills and Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth's highly unique voice giving your head the aural beating of a lifetime. Like many Thrash bands from the '90s, OVERKILL was by and large considered to have officially peaked nearly 20 years ago, but was consistently given a firm tip of the hat for never faltering in their dedication to continuing their trademark sound.

Is it safe to say we fans were anxious for this year's release of "Ironbound"? Beyond question. Did any of us expect the perfect Thrash album that OVERKILL has delivered? No way in Hell. 25 years into a healthy career, a band delivers an opus easily on the same scale as what many consider to be the greatest album they have ever recorded? Even Nostradamus didn't see this one coming. "Ironbound" is a Thrashterpiece to withstand the ages, channeling an ungodly level of intensity, aggression and dialed-in domination that Thrash fans have only heard a handful of times in their lifetime.

Molding the infinitely hooky guitar riffing style of "W.F.O", "Killing Kind" and "From The Underground... And Below" with the meandering stylistic structuring of classic tunes like "Nice Day... For A Funeral" and "E.vil N.ever D.ies", this palate sets the stage for each band member to blaze and burn their way across the entire album. D.D. Verni is as clutch as ever with near-lethal doses of his distinctive bass guitar style; the second album appearance of drummer Ron Lipnicki is so concise and effective that after only two albums there can be no doubt he's the best OVERKILL has ever had; guitarists Derek Tailer and Dave Linsk, besides officially being the longest lasting guitar duo the band has ever sported, turn out riff after incising riff of pure, molten Thrash, wrapped snugly in production values every bit as sharp as a razor blade bassinet. And at the head of the charge, screaming his tattooed lungs out more fervently than anyone has ever heard, is Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth.

Listen to "Give A Little", "The Goal Is Your Soul" or "Endless War" and try to tell yourself you've ever heard "Blitz" so frenzied and bloodthirsty. Also, a word to the wise - if you're going to listen to "Ironbound" in your car, roll down your window before your head shatters it in true "Night At The Roxbury" fashion as soon as "Blitz" kicks in with the extremely catchy, boot stomping vocals on the title track. But easily the best aspect of this incredible album is the undeniable presence of guitarist Dave Linsk. Everyone needs to write Dave right now and thank him copiously for devoting 10 years to re-perfecting OVERKILL with his phenomenal composition and axe skills. If anyone deserves specific credit for "Ironbound" being the Thrashterpiece that it is, Dave Linsk is your man. So Dave - thank you for the endless riffs, the emotive melody and the searing solos. The Metal world owes you a standing ovulation, because this mother rocks!