Overkill-The Years of Decay

What kept them from breaking huge with this? Everytime I hear, Who Tends the Fire I think how it should've been a game changer for them.

Don't know why they didn't break out huge with it, but it's the first album I owned by them and played that thing to death. Still ranks near the top of their discography for me.

Yup, it's a killer album. Not sure why these guys never broke big like some of their contemporaries. Maybe things were going on behind-the-scenes with management or record companies that kept them from getting a break.

I agree, it's an amazing album, easily one of my top three Kill discs. (the other two being Feel the Fire and From the Underground and Below)

I went to the record-release party for this album at L'amour in Brooklyn, NY. It was the first time I ever saw them live, and it was badass even tho they only played three songs that night. I learned later that they weren't even supposed to play at all --  since the album wasn't "officially" out till a few days later, live entertainment was supposed to be limited to Whiplash and Faith or Fear, but they hopped onstage and used Whiplash's equipment to bust out three songs (if memory serves, they did "Elimination," the title track and a cover of Sabbath's "Hole in the Sky").  

As for why it didn't get huge... who knows?

Maybe it was record label politics, maybe it was because they were from NY and the real "happening" bands/labels were in L.A. As I understand it, the album eventually did go gold and  VH1 Classic/MTV Classic still busts out the "Elimination" video every now and again so obviously it's still held in pretty high regard today.

Was John Zazula their manager during that time period?

Just speculating, but maybe he had his hands full with managing other bands and running a record label. Bit off more than he could chew and didn't give them the proper attention and promotion they deserved? Or record execs had enough of him and his bands? I dunno.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Was John Zazula their manager during that time period?

Their management back then was Loud & Proud, who also handled White Lion.  I believe Loud & Proud were the same people who ran/booked/managed the L'amour club.

I'm sure that when White Lion blew up huge a lot of L&P's resources/focus went towards them, and Overkill were probably kinda left on the vine, like "They'll be fine, they're an underground band, they like it that way."

That could be it. Management could make more money with melodic White Lion and their pretty boy looks than some skuzzy thrash band.

The White Lion things makes sense, go with the flavor of the moment.

Pure brilliance. Haven't spinned it in such a long time.

Great album. I'm glad they never "made it" back in the day. If they had made it and become popular, they would have released one or two more "commercial" albums and imploded. Then they would have reunited in 2003 and released one or two subpar reunion albums before fading away again. You know, like almost all the other bands that made it.

Still my favorite Overkill record!

I like them a lot more than Anthrax.

This album would have been much better without that 10-minute slow-paced "doom" filler in the middle. Just saying you know

stormspell wrote:

This album would have been much better without that 10-minute slow-paced "doom" filler in the middle. Just saying you know

Skullcrusher is a great song! I'm glad it's on the album.

Great record. The title track is my favorite Overkill song ever.

Taking Over is my personal favorite, but Years of Decay us an awesome album as well. This one and under the influence would probably be tied for third after Feel the Fire.

Troublezone wrote:

stormspell wrote:

This album would have been much better without that 10-minute slow-paced "doom" filler in the middle. Just saying you know

Skullcrusher is a great song! I'm glad it's on the album.

Yep. Skullcrusher is a classic tune.

It's a good solid album & one of their best. I can see why it never made a huge impact though.

007 wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

stormspell wrote:

This album would have been much better without that 10-minute slow-paced "doom" filler in the middle. Just saying you know

Skullcrusher is a great song! I'm glad it's on the album.

Yep. Skullcrusher is a classic tune.

Skullcrusher is too short LOL!

Yes, this is my second favorite next to Horrorscope. Gustafson was in peak shape here and the whole thing makes me feel like I'm looking down the barrel of a .44. The title track is still stuck in my head after all these years (crazy that they chose it for a release party; makes sense on one hand but it's a bit of a mellow journey getting to the anthem).

I'm glad they didn't get overnight success with this album too but couldn't we say it paved they way for the more commercial and widely-received Horrorscope?

Witchfinder wrote:

Great album.  I'm glad they never "made it" back in the day.  If they had made it and become popular, they would have released one or two more "commercial" albums and imploded.  Then they would have reunited in 2003 and released one or two subpar reunion albums before fading away again.  You know, like almost all the other bands that made it.

Good point. Money and mainstream acceptance has destroyed many a good band.

Dee Snider said it best. Paraphrasing here, "How was I supposed to write the next teen-rebellion anthem when I'm sitting by the pool of my mansion and a fleet of sports cars?".

Classic album!