Overkill vs Anthrax
- Thread starter JayKeeley
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dorian gray
Returning videotapes
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dorian gray
Returning videotapes
- Apr 8, 2004
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Let me ask you something about the "big 4". To me, it's reasonably self-evident as to why Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer reached the height of greatness and therefore deserved a spot in that top 4 grouping, but why Anthrax, say, over Overkill? Note also that Overkill have been around since 1980.
I'd say Testament in that group before Overkill and Anthrax. I think anthrax made it solely on the popularity of I'm the Man and Bring the Noise by the masses.
skeptik
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- Feb 7, 2003
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Personally, I would probably include Exodus over either of them. But Anthrax was definitely the more popular band between Overkill and Anthrax, and I'm pretty sure the "Big 4" was based on popularity. You also have to remember that Overkill didn't release anything until 1985 and, unlike Megadeth, didn't have the luxury of the "NEW BAND OF EX-METALLICA LEAD GUITARIST!!!1"
Lies and Perfidy
Gentleman of the Road
Anthrax is undoubtedly a member of the Big 4, and I'd put their popularity as compared to second-tier bands like Overkill, Testament and Exodus down to a mixture of catchy songwriting, people skills (Scott Ian is a remarkably charming guy and that probably had a lot to do with getting good solid record deals) and of course the crossover work. They definitely wrote some good solid thrash, with a few moments of brilliance (Persistence of Time comes to mind), but they didn't have Slayer's originality, Megadeth's flash, or Metallica's songwriting genius - what they did have was a real gift for humor and entertainment. They captured some of the innately ridiculous aspects of what they were writing, but managed not to turn into self-parody, and that made them fairly unique. It's one of my favorite things about them - it's so rare to find a good classic metal band with a sense of humor.
I'm not sure about Anthrax belonging in the top 4 due to popularity alone. Slayer would contradict that logic. No music videos, way too aggressive for daytime radio. Don't get me wrong, metal heads knew about Slayer, but EVERYONE and their uncle knew about the other 3.
Thrash was in the limelight. Sooner or later, if a band was making waves, it would have been noticed. The band could let the music do all the talking. Outside of the big 4, the next tier category would include: Suicidal Tendencies, Testament, Voivod, and maybe Exodus.
After that, you're talking Flotsam, Forbidden.....indeed, it takes a while before Overkill would even fall in line. I'm not debating their strengths, but fuck me, considering just how "heavy metal" they were, blending speed, thrash, and traditional all in one, together with a great live show and frontman, it's amazing that they didn't make it 'bigger' (inside metal circles and out).
Thrash was in the limelight. Sooner or later, if a band was making waves, it would have been noticed. The band could let the music do all the talking. Outside of the big 4, the next tier category would include: Suicidal Tendencies, Testament, Voivod, and maybe Exodus.
After that, you're talking Flotsam, Forbidden.....indeed, it takes a while before Overkill would even fall in line. I'm not debating their strengths, but fuck me, considering just how "heavy metal" they were, blending speed, thrash, and traditional all in one, together with a great live show and frontman, it's amazing that they didn't make it 'bigger' (inside metal circles and out).
Lies and Perfidy
Gentleman of the Road
They had a much more...raw sound that a lot of their peers. Bobby's vocals were a big part of that, of course, but listen to an album like Taking Over. You've got just as much melodic sensibility as, say, Ride the Lightning (well, most of it); the delivery, though, is much harsher. Things like the harmonic bridge in "Deny the Cross" or the ending solo in "In Union We Stand" get sandwiched between really downright vicious thrash; add to that Blitz (who is very much love-him-or-hate-him) and it's not exactly a recipe for commercial success.
Overkill may be my favorite thrash band but I will easily concede that they don't have the songwriting sensibility of Metallica or even Anthrax; or at least, they didn't develop it until the nineties.
Overkill may be my favorite thrash band but I will easily concede that they don't have the songwriting sensibility of Metallica or even Anthrax; or at least, they didn't develop it until the nineties.
dorian gray
Returning videotapes
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yeah, raw is the word ...
also Gustafson back in the days was infatuated with Hetfield ... down to his stage presence, choice of guitars, etc.
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
Wow... I'm stunned by these results. I would have guessed Anthrax in a landslide. "Spreading" and "Among" are 10/10 classics.
Zod
Zod
yeah, it's not even close. In fact, 20 to 6 is a landslide for Overkill.
Either people really really like Overkill (odd considering general discussion is almost nil) or people really really dislike Anthrax.
I don't even think an Overkill album was ever picked to participate in any of our RC tournaments.
Either people really really like Overkill (odd considering general discussion is almost nil) or people really really dislike Anthrax.
I don't even think an Overkill album was ever picked to participate in any of our RC tournaments.
Johanna
merciless DEATH
- Apr 5, 2002
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Carbonized
Hermit
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I like both well enough I guess, but Overkill are much better to me. Years of Decay + Feel the Fire > Everything put out by Anthrax. Plus, Overkill's good stuff extends beyond 1994 and Anthrax just kinda fell off I think. *shrug* Diff'rent strokes and all that.
