Taking Over
Overkill · 1987
45 min · 9 tracks · thrash metal
Relentless thrash rhythms and aggressive riffs drive a fierce exploration of themes like power and resistance.
Top tracks — play these first
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Deny the Cross — Opening with a crushing riff, this track sets the tone for the album's aggressive sound while addressing themes of defiance against oppression.
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Wrecking Crew — This track showcases intricate guitar work and relentless pacing, embodying the band's signature style while critiquing societal norms and authority figures.
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In Union We Stand — An anthemic call for solidarity, this song stands out with its powerful chorus and lyrical emphasis on unity amidst struggle, resonating strongly with fans.
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Electro-Violence — The blend of fast-paced rhythms and thought-provoking lyrics about technology's impact reflects both musical innovation and thematic depth within thrash metal.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong thrash elements with aggressive riffs and varied tempos, solidifying Overkill's place in the genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a relentless tempo, which is maintained through the first half before slowing slightly in the latter tracks.
- Riffs are often layered with aggressive vocals, creating a dense sound that emphasizes both rhythm and melody.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo intensity
- relentless energy for workouts
- powerful vocals that energize
- intricate riffs demand attention
- sustained listening for focus
Maybe skip if you
- prefer soft, mellow sounds
- seek quick, catchy tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- 'Taking Over' is Overkill's third studio album, released in 1987 during their rise within the thrash metal scene. Following the critical success of 'Feel the Fire' and 'Taking Over,' the band solidified their reputation as one of the genre's key players, showcasing a more refined sound while retaining their raw energy.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Deny the Cross 4:43
- 2 Wrecking Crew 4:32
- 3 Fear His Name 5:24
- 4 Use Your Head 4:19
- 5 Fatal If Swallowed 6:45
- 6 Powersurge 4:36
- 7 In Union We Stand 4:26
- 8 Electro-Violence 3:45
- 9 Overkill II (The Nightmare Continues) 7:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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