Thrash metal veterans OVERKILL are gearing up for their next album, with frontman Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth revealing details during a March 11 appearance on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk. The follow-up to their 2023 effort Scorched is reportedly nearing completion, with the band aiming for a possible late 2026 release.
“I think we’re always working on new music,” Ellsworth said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “That’s been the motif since all the way back in the [early OVERKILL] days. You’re always kind of in a writing mode. You’re keeping your eyes open, you’re in a writing mode, or at least my end of it. But we look to record it maybe at the end of [our upcoming U.S.] tour [with TESTAMENT and DESTRUCTION]. It’s pretty much done musically. I have to add a few melody lines and a few harmonies and melodies and a few lyrics here and there. But we’re looking at a ’27 tour [and] maybe a late ’26 release.”
While fans might be eager to hear new tracks live, Blitz confirmed that OVERKILL will stick to their existing material during the upcoming tour: “No, we’re not. We’re just gonna get out there on the road and stretch our legs again. It’s gonna feel good. [OVERKILL bassist] D.D.‘s [Verni] been going through a rehab for a long period of time with his shoulders and stuff, so it’s kept everybody from going out and doing this stuff. I think he’s gone through three operations at this point — it’s, like, two on the right and one on the left, and all three of them are rotator cuff injuries. I’m just looking to get out there and sing again.”
Health issues have also impacted the tour lineup. D.D. Verni will not participate in the U.S. trek with TESTAMENT and DESTRUCTION. “No, he’s not gonna be able to do [those shows]. Christian [Olde Wolbers] from FEAR FACTORY‘s coming out. He sat in for D.D. in ’24. But that’s when D.D. only had one operation, so D.D. did some of [the shows], but this one, it’s just too much. He just said he couldn’t do it.”
Olde Wolbers previously filled in for Verni in the fall of 2024 when OVERKILL supported KING DIAMOND on a North American tour.
This upcoming release will be the first full-length album featuring Jeramie Kling, who joined OVERKILL as the group’s new drummer in August 2024. Kling replaced Jason Bittner, who departed earlier that month.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.