Released 30 years ago
The Killing Kind
Overkill · 1996
49 min · 10 tracks · thrash metal
A relentless barrage of aggressive riffs and intricate rhythms that defines the essence of thrash metal in the mid-90s.
Top tracks — play these first
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Battle — The opening track sets a fierce tone with its aggressive tempo and powerful lyrics reflecting themes of conflict and resilience.
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Burn You Down / To Ashes — This track features dynamic shifts in rhythm and showcases Overkill's signature blend of melody and speed, highlighting their songwriting prowess.
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Feeding Frenzy — With its infectious hooks and relentless energy, this song epitomizes the band's thrash roots while also introducing a more refined production style.
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The Cleansing — This track stands out for its slower, more deliberate pacing which contrasts with the album's overall intensity, allowing for deeper lyrical exploration.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features intricate rhythms and aggressive riffs typical of thrash metal, with moments of melody that enhance its appeal.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a high-energy tone, maintaining aggressive tempos throughout the first half.
- The final three tracks slow down slightly, introducing more melodic elements while still retaining heavy instrumentation.
- 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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6/10
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 aggression
- intense rhythm-driven experience
- focused headbanging sessions
- cathartic release of energy
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of soft melodies
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Killing Kind, released in 1996, marked Overkill's seventh studio album, a period when they were solidifying their legacy within the thrash metal scene. Following the commercial success of their previous album, Battered and Bruised, this release showcased their continued evolution while maintaining the intensity fans had come to expect.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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God-Like
The verses adopt a confrontational tone that directly challenges authority and societal norms.
By shifting the focus from personal struggles to broader social commentary, the writing expands the thematic scope of the album.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Battle 4:31
- 2 God-Like 4:11
- 3 Certifiable 3:25
- 4 Burn You Down / To Ashes 6:47
- 5 Let Me Shut That for You 5:19
- 6 Bold Face Pagan Stomp 5:42
- 7 Feeding Frenzy 4:13
- 8 The Cleansing 5:50
- 9 The Mourning After / Private Bleeding 4:36
- 10 Cold, Hard Fact 5:18
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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