OVERKILL - TAKING OVER 12" Vinyl LP Album

- This is the USA Release on Megaforce Records

OverKill Taking Over album cover featuring four band members with long curly hair, dressed in rugged sleeveless denim vests and tight jeans, holding sawed-off shotguns in an aggressive pose. The background is a post-apocalyptic battlefield with barbed wire, fire, and destruction under a surreal purple and orange sky. The band's name 'OverKill' appears in bright neon green at the top, with the album title 'Taking Over' in metallic riveted letters below them

Overkill's "Taking Over" (1987), released on Megaforce Records, cemented the band as a major force in American thrash metal. With raw energy, intricate riffing, and controversial lyrics, the album showcases Overkill's unique East Coast sound. Produced by Alex Perialas, "Taking Over" propelled the band into the mainstream and remains a testament to their enduring legacy in the genre.

"Taking Over": A Thrash Metal Onslaught from the East Coast
Album Description:

Released in 1987 on Megaforce Records, "Taking Over" was Overkill's second studio album and their breakthrough in the American thrash metal scene. The album arrived during the peak of thrash metal's popularity, with bands like Metallica and Slayer dominating the scene. However, Overkill, hailing from New Jersey, brought their own unique East Coast flavor to the genre.

Historical Context

The late 1980s was a pivotal time for thrash metal. It was evolving and expanding, with bands pushing the boundaries of speed, aggression, and technicality. "Taking Over" emerged in this vibrant scene, showcasing Overkill's ability to compete with their West Coast counterparts and solidifying their position in the US market.

Musical Exploration

"Taking Over" is a relentless assault of thrash metal fury. The album's ten tracks are filled with fast tempos, intricate riffing, and pummeling drums. Overkill's signature sound, a blend of punk energy and metal aggression, is on full display.

The album opens with the anthemic "Deny the Cross," setting the tone for the sonic onslaught that follows. Songs like "Wrecking Crew" and "Fear His Name" showcase the band's technical prowess, while "Powersurge" and "Electro-Violence" highlight their knack for crafting infectious hooks.

The album's lyrics delve into dark and often controversial themes, including religion, violence, and societal decay. This lyrical content, combined with the band's aggressive sound, solidified Overkill's reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

Production Team

"Taking Over" was produced by Alex Perialas, who had previously worked with Anthrax. Perialas captured the band's raw energy and aggression, creating a sound that was both powerful and polished. The album's production helped to propel Overkill into the mainstream, exposing them to a wider audience.

Music Genre:

Speed Thrash Metal 

Album Production information:

The album: "OVERKILL - Taking Over" was produced by: Alex Perialas, Overkill, Jon Zazula

  • Alex Perialas – Audio Engineer, Mixer, Record Producer

    In my book, his credit is the “this is gonna hit hard” stamp—Pyramid Sound vibes all day.

    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.

    Alex Perialas Wiki

  • Jon Zazula – Megaforce Records founder & metal scene catalyst

    The “Jonny Z” era starts in the East Brunswick trenches (early ’80s), then detonates with Metallica in 1982–1983 and keeps rolling through Megaforce years with bands like Anthrax (notably 1985–1991), Overkill, Testament, and Manowar.

    Jon Zazula, in my head, is proof that heavy metal didn’t just “happen” in the ’80s—it got built by obsessive weirdos with good ears and zero chill. He ran the Rock ’n’ Roll Heaven record store in East Brunswick, New Jersey, and used that shop as a kind of underground command center, blasting demos through the tape-trading network until the right bands found the right people. The pivotal moment (and yeah, it’s basically metal folklore at this point) lands in the winter of 1982, when he heard Metallica’s “No Life ’Til Leather” demo, pulled them to New York, and helped push them onto their first real East Coast stages—then Megaforce Records followed, and “Kill ’Em All” hit in 1983 like a crowbar to the radio. After that, his “periods” with bands were less about being onstage and more about being the guy who opened doors: the Megaforce run expanded from Metallica and Manowar in the early ’80s to a wider roster that included Anthrax (a key 1985–1991 stretch), plus acts like Overkill and Testament—basically a roll call of bands that helped define what American metal would sound like when it stopped asking permission.

    Jon Zazula Wiki

    • Stephen Innocenzi - Mastering Engineer

    Tom Coyne - Mastering Engineer

    Tom Coyne (1954-2017) was a highly respected mastering engineer known for shaping the sound of countless iconic albums. With a career spanning decades, he worked with legends like Madonna, U2, and The Rolling Stones. His mastery of both analog and digital techniques earned him multiple Grammy accolades. Learn more about his legacy here.

    Christie Mullen - Photographer

    Ron Akiyama - Photographer

    Ron Akiyama (his name is sometimes misspelled as "Ron Akiama") is a photographer and has done photography for the albums of "Anthrax", "M.O.D." And "Overkill".

    Daniel Muro - Album Artwork

    Daniel Muro Worked For The Producer Todd Gordon On Several Heavy Metal Bands. Bands He Has Photographed Include Overkill, Hades And Many Others.

    Mike Vayenes - Photographer

    William Benson - Album Artwork

    Record Label & Catalognr:

    Megaforce Worldwide 81735 

    Media Format:

    12" Vinyl LP  Gramophone Record
    Album weight: 230 gram 

    Year & Country:

    1987 Made in USA
    Band Members and Musicians on: OverKill Taking Over
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth - Lead Vocals
      Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (real name: Robert Joseph Ellsworth) - Lead singer with the American Thrash Metal band Overkill since 1980.
    • D.D. Verni - Bass
      D.D. Verni (real name: Carlo Verni) - Lead singer with Overkill since 1980. Previously (1979-1980), he was in a band called "The Lubricunts" together with "Rat Skates."
    • Bobby Gustafson - Guitar
      Bobby Gustafson (real name: Robert Wayne Gustafson) - Guitar, timeline:
      - 1980-1982 The DropOuts
      - 1982-1990 Overkill
    • Rat Skates - Drums
      Rat Skates - Drums, timeline:
      - 1978-1980 The Lubricunts
      - 1980-1987 Overkill
      - 1990-1993 Bomb Squad
    Complete Track Listing of: "Taking Over"

    The Song/tracks on "Overkill Taking Over" are:

      Side One:
    • Deny The Cross
    • Wrecking Crew
    • Fear His Name
    • Use Your Head
    • Fatal if Swallowed
      Side Two:
    • Powersurge
    • In Union We Stand
    • Electro-Violence
    • OverKill II (The Nightmare Continues)

    OverKill Taking Over Album Photo Gallery:

    Album Front Cover Photo
    OverKill Taking Over album cover featuring four band members with long curly hair, dressed in rugged sleeveless denim vests and tight jeans, holding sawed-off shotguns in an aggressive pose. The background is a post-apocalyptic battlefield with barbed wire, fire, and destruction under a surreal purple and orange sky. The band's name 'OverKill' appears in bright neon green at the top, with the album title 'Taking Over' in metallic riveted letters below them.

    OverKill's "Taking Over" Album Cover: The cover of this 1987 thrash metal album presents a striking and intense visual theme. The four band members stand in the foreground, clad in distressed sleeveless denim vests, studded belts, and tight jeans. Their faces are partially shadowed, highlighting their fierce expressions. Their long, unkempt curly hair and sweaty appearances amplify the raw, aggressive energy of the image.

    Each member is holding a sawed-off shotgun, pointed directly at the viewer, reinforcing the album's militant and rebellious tone. Their arms, flexed and tensed, emphasize a posture of dominance and defiance. The bandÕs stance and expressions convey an almost theatrical exaggeration of power and aggression, perfectly aligning with the thrash metal genre's intensity.

    The background depicts a post-apocalyptic battlefield with crumbling ruins, fiery destruction, and strands of barbed wire, creating a warlike setting. The sky is a surreal blend of deep purples, reds, and oranges, radiating an ominous glow behind the musicians. The color contrast between the dark foreground and the luminous sky intensifies the sceneÕs dramatic effect.

    At the top of the image, the band's name, "OverKill", is emblazoned in a jagged neon-green font with a metallic sheen. Below the band, the album title, "Taking Over", is displayed in a bold, riveted metal plate style, resembling a military insignia or a bullet-ridden sign. This heavy industrial aesthetic ties in seamlessly with the band's aggressive thrash metal sound.

    Album Back Cover Photo
    OverKill Taking Over album back cover featuring four sawed-off shotgun barrels at the top, aimed directly at the viewer, creating an intense, menacing atmosphere. Below, a demonic skull with bat-like wings is centered against a dark background. The album's tracklist is split into Side One and Side Two, printed in white text on either side of the winged skull. The band's name 'OverKill' is prominently displayed in neon green in the lower half of the cover, along with the names of the band members and production credits. A parental advisory warning appears in the bottom right corner.

    OverKill's "Taking Over" Album Back Cover: The back cover of the album exudes an ominous and aggressive aesthetic. The top section features four sawed-off shotgun barrels, symmetrically positioned and aimed directly outward, giving a confrontational and dangerous feel to the composition.

    In the center, a menacing demonic skull with large, tattered bat wings spreads across the lower half of the image. The skull's hollow eyes and sharp fangs add to its sinister presence, embodying the dark themes of thrash metal. The background remains completely black, making the elements stand out starkly.

    On either side of the winged skull, the albumÕs tracklist is displayed in bold white text. "Side One" features songs such as "Deny the Cross," "Wrecking Crew," and "Fatal If Swallowed," while "Side Two" lists "Powersurge," "In Union We Stand," and the closing track "OverKill II (The Nightmare Continues)."

    The lower portion of the cover prominently displays the band's name, "OverKill", in its signature jagged neon-green font. Below this, the lineup of the band members is listed: Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (vocals), D.D. Verni (bass), Bobby Gustafson (guitar), and Rat Skates (drums).

    Additional production credits name Alex Perialas and the band as producers, with Jon Zazula as the executive producer. The album is released under Megaforce Worldwide and includes a parental advisory warning in the bottom right corner, emphasizing the album's raw and explicit lyrical content.

    Photo One of Inside Page Gatefold Cover
    Close-up of the Side One record label of OverKill's 'Taking Over' vinyl LP, featuring a black and silver design with the Megaforce Worldwide and Atlantic Records logos at the top. The album title, band name, and tracklist for Side One are printed in bold, white capital letters. The catalog number '81735-1' and the word 'STEREO' are displayed on the left side, while the copyright information for 1987 Megaforce Records is positioned on the right.

    OverKill's "Taking Over" Vinyl Record Label - Side One: This high-resolution image showcases the record label of Side One from the original 1987 vinyl release. The label has a striking black and silver color scheme, emphasizing a bold and industrial aesthetic.

    At the top, the Megaforce Worldwide logo is prominently displayed in silver capital letters, flanked by two clenched fist icons, reinforcing the label's aggressive branding. Below it, the album title "OverKill - Taking Over" is printed in large, bold, white capital letters, ensuring high visibility against the dark background.

    The left side of the label displays the catalog number "81735-1" and the designation "STEREO." On the right, the copyright information reads "© 1987 Megaforce Records, Inc." affirming the albumÕs original release date and ownership.

    The track listing for Side One is printed in white text and includes:

    • "Deny The Cross" (4:42)
    • "Wrecking Crew" (4:30)
    • "Fear His Name" (5:23)
    • "Use Your Head" (4:18)
    • "Fatal If Swallowed" (6:44)

    Below the tracklist, a statement notes that "All songs written by OverKill," with publishing credits to "Zazmar Music Co. / Blood & Iron Music Co.." At the bottom, the label features the Atlantic Records logo in a white box, along with a reference to Warner Communications Company, indicating the album's distribution network.

    Thrashing Through the Decade: OVERKILL's 80s Discography and Impact on Heavy Metal"

    OVERKILL - Feel the Fire
    OVERKILL - Feel the Fire album front cover vinyl record

    "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.

    Feel the Fire 12" Vinyl LP
    OVERKILL - !!!Fuck You!!!
    OVERKILL - !!!Fuck You!!! album front cover vinyl record

    The year is 1987, and the thrash metal scene is burgeoning with explosive energy and raw aggression. Among the bands spearheading this movement is Overkill, a band that has come to embody the very spirit of East Coast thrash. That same year, Overkill releases the !!!FUCK YOU!!! Records 12" Vinyl EP on Megaforce

    !!!Fuck You!!! 12" Vinyl LP
    OVERKILL - Horrorscope
    OVERKILL - Horrorscope album front cover vinyl record

    In the world of thrash metal, 1991's "Horrorscope" by New Jersey's Overkill stands as a pivotal release. The album marked a turning point for the band, solidifying their sound and cementing their status as East Coast thrash titans.

    Horrorscope 12" Vinyl LP
    OVERKILL - I Hear Black
    OVERKILL - I Hear Black album front cover vinyl record

    Released in 1993, "I Hear Black" marked a significant shift in Overkill's musical trajectory. The album, arriving during a time of grunge dominance and waning interest in thrash, saw the band embrace a darker, more experimental sound.

    I Hear Black 12" Vinyl LP
    OVERKILL - Taking Over (International Releases) album front cover vinyl record
    OVERKILL - Taking Over (International Releases)

    Released in 1987, "Taking Over" was Overkill's second studio album and their major label debut on Atlantic Records. The album arrived during the peak of thrash metal's popularity, with bands like Metallica and Slayer dominating the scene.

    - Taking Over (1987, Canada) - Taking Over (1987, Germany) - Taking Over (1987, USA)
    OVERKILL - Under the Influence
    OVERKILL - Under the Influence album front cover vinyl record

    "Under the Influence" showcases Overkill's signature thrash metal intensity while also incorporating elements of groove and heavy metal. The album is packed with fast tempos, intricate guitar work, and Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth's distinctive high-pitched vocals.

    Under the Influence 12" Vinyl LP
    OVERKILL - The Years of Decay
    OVERKILL - The Years of Decay album front cover vinyl record

    "The Years of Decay" showcases Overkill's evolution as a band. The album features a more mature and refined sound compared to their earlier work, with slower tempos, longer song structures, and more complex arrangements. However, the band's trademark intensity and aggression remained intact.

    The Years of Decay 12" Vinyl LP