Album Description:
"Feel the Fire" by Overkill is a monumental album that marked the emergence of one of the most influential bands in the thrash metal genre. Released in 1985 under the Megaforce Records label, this debut LP propelled Overkill onto the global metal scene, showcasing their raw talent and unrelenting energy.
The album's production was entrusted to Carl Canedy, who skillfully captured the band's ferocity and intensity. Recorded at Pyramid Studios in New York, with sound engineer Alex Periales at the helm, the album's sonic quality was honed to perfection. To add an extra touch of brilliance, George Marino at Sterling Sound in New York City mastered the album, ensuring its sonic impact would be felt far and wide.
"Feel the Fire" features a collection of hard-hitting tracks that showcase Overkill's signature thrash metal sound. From the moment the needle hits the vinyl, the listener is bombarded with a relentless assault of aggressive riffs, thunderous drums, and Bobby Blitz Ellsworth's distinctive and powerful vocals.
The album's opener, "Raise the Dead", immediately grabs the listener's attention with its lightning-fast guitar work and Ellsworth's commanding presence. The relentless tempo sets the stage for what is to come—a non-stop barrage of headbanging anthems.
Tracks like "Rotten to the Core" and "Blood and Iron" demonstrate the band's ability to craft intense and memorable songs that remain embedded in the minds of metal enthusiasts to this day. Bobby Gustafson's razor-sharp guitar solos are a standout feature, exhibiting his technical prowess and adding depth to the band's sonic assault.
The rhythm section, comprised of D.D. Verni on bass and Rat Skates on drums, provides the foundation for the album's explosive sound. The thunderous basslines and precise drumming create a relentless and unyielding backdrop that propels the songs forward with unbridled power.
Lyrically, "Feel the Fire" delves into a range of topics, exploring themes of corruption, destruction, and personal struggle. Overkill's lyrics reflect the band's rebellious spirit, with an underlying social commentary that resonates with fans of the genre.
The album's cover art, featuring a menacing skull engulfed in flames, perfectly captures the album's aggressive and fiery essence. The photographers—Mark Callisto, Kevin Hodapp, Jerry Lacay, and Willard Huyler—capture the band's electrifying stage presence and convey the energy that radiates from their live performances.
Following the album's release, Overkill embarked on an extensive touring schedule, starting as a support act for Megadeth's "Peace Sells US tour" and later joining forces with Anthrax and Agent Steel for a European tour. These live shows solidified Overkill's reputation as a force to be reckoned with and helped establish their dedicated fan base.
"Feel the Fire" remains a testament to Overkill's enduring influence in the world of thrash metal. The album's relentless energy, blistering guitar work, and memorable lyrics continue to captivate audiences, reaffirming its status as a classic within the genre.
Decades after its initial release, "Feel the Fire" stands as a testament to the power and passion of Overkill. This debut LP served as a launching pad for the band's illustrious career, solidifying their place in the world of thrash metal history. With their signature sound, Overkill set the stage for future thrash metal bands and left an indelible mark on the genre that resonates to this day.
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Album Production Information: Produced by Carl CanedyCarl Canedy is a legendary drummer and producer whose impact on heavy metal spans decades. As a founding member of The Rods and a key producer behind bands like Anthrax and Exciter, his dynamic drumming and studio expertise have shaped countless classic albums. His passion for metal continues to inspire generations. Learn more about Carl Canedy.
Recorded at Pyramid Studios, NY.
Sound engineer: Alex Periales
Alex Perialas – Audio Engineer, Mixer, Record ProducerIn my book, his credit is the “this is gonna hit hard” stamp—Pyramid Sound vibes all day. Read more... Alex Perialas is an American audio engineer, mixer, and record producer who helped lock in the tight, punchy thrash sound of the mid-1980s through the early 1990s from Pyramid Sound Studios in Ithaca, New York—working with bands like Anthrax, Overkill, Testament, Nuclear Assault, S.O.D., and Flotsam & Jetsam. Later on, his work stretches into other lanes (Bad Religion, Pro-Pain), and he’s also been tied to teaching sound recording at Ithaca College—because apparently someone had to explain to the next generation how to make guitars sound like a chainsaw with manners.
Mastered by: George Marino at Sterling Sound, New York City
George Marino – Mastering EngineerWhen my site brain goes full 1980s metal mode, his name keeps showing up like a hidden signature in the dead wax. Read more... George Marino is one of those behind-the-glass legends who made heavy music feel larger than the room it was playing in. Before the mastering console became his throne, he was a Bronx guitarist doing the NYC band grind in the 1960s with groups like The Chancellors and The New Sounds Ltd. Then he went pro for real: starting at Capitol Studios in New York (1967), and eventually becoming a long-running force at Sterling Sound (from 1973 onward). For a collector like me—living in that sweet spot where 1980s heavy metal, hard rock, and a dash of prog-minded ambition collide—Marino’s credits read like a stack of essential sleeves: Holy Diver (Dio), Tooth and Nail (Dokken), Stay Hard (Raven), Master of Puppets (Metallica), Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden), Among the Living (Anthrax), Appetite for Destruction (Guns N’ Roses), Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi), and Blow Up Your Video (AC/DC). That’s the kind of resume that doesn’t just “master” records—it weaponizes them, but with taste. George Marino Wiki
Photographers: Mark Callisto , Kevin Hodapp , Jerry Lacay ,Willard Huyler.
Kevin Hodapp an American Rock photographer,
during the 1980's he has taken photos for the following Heav Metal albums; 1983 Kill 'Em All, Metallica, 1983 Live (Live Album), The Rods, 1984 Born To Metalize (Split), Hades,1985 Feel The Fire (Album), Overkill (Usa), 1985 Metal Rap (Single), Lone Rager.
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Music Genre:
Speed Thrash Music |
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Record Label & Catalognr: Noise International N 0035 / LC 9066 |
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Media Format: 12" Vinyl LP Record |
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Year & Country:
1985 Made in Germany |
