Tag Archives: Overkill

BPMD (Overkill, Vio-lence, Etc.) Sign With Napalm Records

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BPMD, the band featuring Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth (Overkill), Phil Demmel (Vio-lence, ex-Machine Head), Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, etc.), and Mark Menghi (Metal Allegiance), have signed a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. As previously reported, the group’s debut album, which is tentatively titled “American Made,” will feature covers of tracks from the 1970s.

Menghi commented:

“We’re super excited about our first BPMD record. Last summer, I was inspired and came up with this crazy idea and here we are, not even a year later, and it’ll see the light of day in these very trying times. The planet needs something to feel good about, and I 100% whole-heartedly believe these tunes will do the trick. Buckle up and make way for BPMD…”

Ellsworth added:

“The BPMD sessions were very fun. They took us all back to our roots and even pre-roots. As it developed, we all realized it was something special, as did Napalm Records, with one listen!”

BPMD are currently scheduled to make their live debut at the Old Bridge Elks Lodge in New Jersey on May 30 as part of “Bulldozer Bash 5.” That event will benefit the Old Bridge Militia Foundation.

Paul Bostaph (Slayer) Working On New Project

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Paul Bostaph (Slayer) has revealed that he is working on a new project with a “friend” who is “very familiar.” He didn’t provide too many details, but a comment from Jason Bittner (Overkill, etc.) seemed to suggest that Bostaph and two other members of Slayer’s final lineup, Kerry King and Gary Holt (Exodus), are working on something with Phil Anselmo (Pantera, etc.). However, this is just an unconfirmed rumor and Holt previously said that he was planning to focus on Exodus after Slayer’s final tour, so his inclusion seems a bit unlikely.

[via Blabbermouth]

Mike Portnoy, Phil Demmel, Bobby Blitz, & Mark Menghi To Release “American Made” Covers Album Under The Name BPMD

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During an appearance on “The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show,” Phil Demmel (Vio-lence, ex-Machine Head) revealed that his new project with Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth (Overkill), Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, etc.), Mark Menghi (Metal Allegiance) will be called BPMD. The group plan to release a new covers album titled “American Made” later this year.

Demmel said the following:

“It’s called BPMD. So it’s Bobby Blitz, Mike Portnoy, Mark Menghi and Phil Demmel — BPMD. It’s all cover tunes from American bands of the ’70s. It’s called ‘American Made‘, [and it’s got songs from] ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, James Gang, Aerosmith, Grand Funk Railroad — all these cover tunes that we modernized them and not really thrashed them up, but we made kind of metal versions of them.

And we think we found maybe a label home, and we’re looking to put the record out here probably at the end of the first quarter, maybe beginning of second quarter. It’s all up in the air right now.”

He then added the following after being asked who came up with the idea:

“Mark Menghi did. He said he was around his campfire listening to a Skynyrd song, and he’s all, ‘Hey, I wanna record this and get some guys.’ And he called us up. I flew out to Portnoy’s house, and we had the songs we picked. Each of us picked two, and then we had two songs that were kind of band picks that we needed to do. And we flew out to Portnoy’s house in Pennsylvania. I flew in one day, did tracks, flew out the next day, went home and recorded guitar tracks and solos in a day. And the guys did their other tracks. We got it done pretty fucking quick.”

Demmel also revealed his favorite track from the effort:

“I’m gonna have to say… There’s a sleeper track. It’s a Blue Öyster Cult song called ‘Tattoo Vampire’ that I picked. And Buck Dharma from Blue Öyster Cult actually played on the song. And it’s got kind of a punky feel. ‘Cause the original track is kind of rock and roll, but Menghi or Portnoy had this idea to make it kind of a Ramones feel. So we picked it up. So, ‘Tattoo Vampire’ is my favorite.”

[via Blabbermouth]

Vio-lence Part Ways With Ray Vegas, Recruit Ex-Overkill Guitarist For Upcoming Shows

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Vio-lence have parted ways with guitarist Ray Vegas. With him gone, the band have recruited Bobby Gustafson (ex-Overkill) as a fill-in.

The group commented:

“Vio-lence would like to thank Ray Vegas for all his hard work and contributions to this band. It’s been an incredible year bringing Vio back to life and Ray was an integral part in our success. We wish him all the best. The band will be honoring all dates booked.”

They also added:

“Vio-lence is announcing former Overkill guitar player Bobby Gustafson as fill-in for upcoming shows. The band will perform in Puerto Rico this weekend as a 4 piece and Bobby will start later in February when the band goes to Japan/Australia/New Zealand. All shows will be honored as scheduled.”

Tour Dates:

02/01 Santurce, PR – La Respuesta
02/22-23 Osaka, JAP – True Thrash Fest
02/26 Canberra, AUS – The Basement
02/27 Brisbane, AUS – The Triffid
02/28 Sydney, AUS – Manning House
02/29 Melbourne, AUS – Max Watt’s
03/01 Adelaide, AUS – Enigma Bar
03/03 Wellington, NZ – Valhalla
03/04 Auckland, NZ – Whammy Bar
03/20 Raleigh, NC – The Pour House Music Hall
03/21 Chicago, IL – Reggies
04/18 Oakland, CA – Oakland Metro
05/22 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage (Maryland Death Fest)
06/05 Austin, TX – Oblivion Access
08/06 Swadlincote, UK – Bloodstock Open Air
09/19 Montreal, QC – Quebec Deathfest

Rock/Metal Musicians Pay Tribute To The Late Neil Peart (Rush)

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As previously reported, Rush’s Neil Peart has sadly passed away following a battle with brain cancer. A number of rock/metal musicians have since taken to social media to pay tribute to the legendary drummer and some of the various posts can be found below:

Geddy Lee (Rush):

View this post on Instagram

Rest in peace, my brother. 💔

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Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett:

Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins:

Slash (Guns N’ Roses):

View this post on Instagram

RIP #NeiPeart

A post shared by Slash (@slash) on

Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath):

KISS’ Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons:

Gary Holt (Exodus):

David Ellefson (Megadeth):

Anthrax’s Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, and Frank Bello:

Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer, etc.):

View this post on Instagram

R.I.P. #nealpeart An extraordinary talent.

A post shared by Dave Lombardo (@davelombardo) on

King Diamond:

Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine):

John Dolmayan (System Of A Down):

Steven Adler (ex-Guns N’ Roses):

Sebastian Bach (ex-Skid Row):

Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, etc.):

Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour):

Overkill:

Mike Inez (Alice In Chains):

Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins):

Alex Bent (Trivium):

Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless):

Chris Jericho (Fozzy):

Matt Sorum (ex-Guns N’ Roses, etc.):

Jason Hook (Five Finger Death Punch):

Adam Gontier (Saint Asonia, ex-Three Days Grace):

View this post on Instagram

~ Shocked. The Legend. Rest In Peace Neil Peart. 🙏🏻

A post shared by Adam Gontier (@adamgontierofficial) on

Shawn Drover (ex-Megadeth, etc.):

Sacred Reich:

Matt Halpern (Periphery):

Zach Myers (Shinedown):

Chuck D (Public Enemy, Prophets of Rage):

Dan Briggs (Between The Buried And Me):

Peter Frampton:

Jack Black (Tenacious D):

Overkill Announce U.S. Tour With Exhorder & Hydraform

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Overkill have announced a headlining U.S. tour. Exhorder and Hydraform will open.

Tour Dates:

02/26 Anaheim CA – House of Blues
02/27 San Francisco CA – Slims
02/28 Las Vegas NV – House of Blues
02/29 San Diego CA – House of Blues
03/01 Phoenix AZ – Crecent Ballroom
03/02 Albuquerque NM – Sunshine Theater
03/04 San Antonio TX – Aztec
03/05 Corpus Christi TX – House of Rock
03/06 Houston TX – Warehouse
03/07 Dallas TX – Gas Monkey
03/08 New Orleans LA – House of Blues
03/09 Tampa FL – The Ritz
03/10 Orlando FL – House of Blues
03/11 Atlanta GA – Buckhead
03/12 Charlotte NC – Underground @ The Fillmore
03/13 Silver Springs MD – The Fillmore
03/14 Montclair NJ – Wellmont Theater (with M.O.D. featuring Billy Milano and Demolition Hammer)

Arch Enemy, Ex-Slayer, Etc. Members To Join Metal Allegiance At Anaheim, CA Show

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Metal Allegiance have added more special guests to their January 16 show at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, CA. Here’s the full list of participants: Dave Lombardo (Suicidal Tendencies, ex-Slayer, etc.), Dave Davidson (Revocation, etc.), Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, etc.), Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein (Misfits), Chuck Billy (Testament), Bobby Blitz (Overkill), John Bush (Armored Saint), Phil Demmel (Vio-lence, ex-Machine Head), Jack Gibson (Exodus), Gary Holt (Exodus, Slayer), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura), Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), Troy Sanders (Mastodon, etc.), and Alex Skolnick (Testament). WWE wrestler Erick Rowan will serve as the MC at the event and Exmortus, Weapons Of Anew, and Trauma will open.