OVERKILL frontman Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth spoke to BW&BK; Magazine's Martin Popoff recently about their combative new (and 15th) album Immortalis. The band is finally getting the type of deep respect it deserves. LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe is seen dueting with Blitz on a hard-chugging Immortalis track called ‘Skull And Bones’, leads to a perceptive little bit of history in the making from the amiable metal historian that is Blitz.

“You know, to some degree, their interest or recognition of bands like ourselves, helps us, in turn, be recognized by some of their people. Which is really a great thing. If you think about it, this is the first era of metal that I remember in a long time that says, ‘This is the kind of stuff we cut our teeth on,’ whether it be ANTHRAX, SLAYER, OVERKILL, MEGADETH… It’s ‘We listen to this and we own the records and we know the songs.’ I would go out on Gigantour, and we would have 35 or 40 minutes, depending on time, and the set list was never quite the same; we would mix and match a song here and there, just so we could have a little bit of fun. So we would have our list on the right, and on the left, there would be, you know, three other lists of requests from the Lamb Of God guys, of the most obscure shit, some we’ve never even played live - it would say ‘Willie’s list.’ On my monitor. So what I’m getting at is the sheer honest recognition of the band, recognition of Overkill. I have to appreciate that and I do appreciate it on a really large level. Because these guys are greatly successful at what they’re doing. And to have that kind of purity to say where you came from makes me stand up and realize it and celebrate it positively. I know other bands do too. I noticed it with SHADOWS FALL. I’m in a dressing room in Los Angeles and Jason Bittner goes, ‘I gotta tell you something.’ I sez, ‘What’s that?’ ‘I always wanted to play with ya.’ I said, ‘Pick a song (laughs). Which one do you wanna do, man?’ ‘I love you guys. Anything from this album, this album and this album.’ I said, ‘I got this.’ ‘Sure.’ ‘Knock yourself out.’”

Read more of Blitz' chat in BW&BK; #108 - in stores now or available online here.

(Photo: Dawn - TheMetalWeb.com )