Part 2 of Metallus Maximus' recent interview with OVERKILL frontman Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth is now online. An excerpt is available below:

Ellsworth quickly asserts that OverKill has always toured toward the aggressive side of the extreme, but relates that he can see it being the path of the near future for many other acts who did not rely on it as heavily for a main source of income. Accentuating his point, he relates that touring is always a great form of self-promotion and self-investment in a musical group.

“We’ve always had the principle of within 30 days, try wholeheartedly to do 30 shows. It’s not, four days on, two days off. That’s never been our principle. I remember the most shows that I had ever done was between The Underground And Below and Necroshine, and it was 43 shows in 42 days. We did a matinee one day to pad the stats (laughs). The point is there’s never a day off. There’s never lost revenue where we’re spending, but nothing is coming in, even that means a Monday night in Bumfuck, Idaho. We’ve always had that principle. But, do I see it more now with other bands? Yeah. We’ve always kind of had that blue collar work ethic, where we’re a little bit more comfortable having our tools on, then sitting around the pool drinking Mojitos; it’s not our thing. Better to do a gig in a pure ‘C’ market than not to play.”

Continuing on: “This year we’ve decided to do the shows, and it had a lot to do with who we signed with; E1 for North America, and Nuclear Blast for the rest of the world. We decided to invest more in ourselves, and what we did was try to use Bodog (former label) as a vehicle for visibility, but it didn’t quite work out so well once the Zazula’s were let go (John and Marsha), and we decided to move on. We had an out clause in our contract meaning if they’re gone, we’re gone. In any case, we invested in ourselves with regards to touring. And if we invest in ourselves with regards to promotion, it should bring even more touring. So, we decided this year to do a little bit more. We did a month in Europe, a little bit in South America, and now a month in North America. So it’s relatively one month on, one month off, but with a few extra shows. Festival season, over in Europe, I think we’re doing twelve. That part is not really grueling; you’re popping right in and then right out sometimes for long weekends. I think the longest stretch in the Summer is eleven-days. But, because we’ve invested in ourselves, right after we go to Japan, with Australia tacked on, and possibly China during that run. The second US run is already booked, and the second European one is being booked as well. The second US leg starts in the last week of October, and runs right up until my wife’s birthday (laughs).”

Go to this location for the complete interview. Click here for Part 1.

As previously reported, Overkill will make their first ever trek to Australia in September, with MORTAL SIN as main support. Check out a tour trailer below:

According to a press release, the set list for this crazy concert is one that will definitely please crowds and remind everyone from the older metal heads to the new kids why Overkill are the best; with them playing all their classics and anthems such as 'Rotten To the Core', 'Wrecking Crew', 'Hello From the Gutter', 'Elimination', 'Fuck You', 'Overkill' and their new instant stone cold classic 'Bring Me the Night' from their new album Ironbound.

During Overkill’s visit, as one of the most prolific thrash metal bands ever, Australian audience’s can expect to see founders, Bobby ‘Blitz” Ellsworth and D.D Verni, as well as newcomers Derik ‘The Skull’ Tailer, Dave Linsk, and Ron Lipnicki, and of course their beloved mascot Chaly (a skeletal bat that has graced most of their album covers). Hundreds of thousands of fans around the world cannot be wrong so do not miss this time marking tour that’s been 25 years coming!

The dates are as follows:

September

23 - The Hifi - Brisbane, Australia
24 - The Hifi - Melbourne, Australia
25 - The Metro - Sydney, Australia

Tickets went on sale May 6th.