Game Over "Claiming Supremacy"

    Game’s Over new album, “Claiming Supremacy,” is a thrash metal assault looking to make claim over the metal world by unleashing distorted riffs of headbanging ravenous fury. Also, I believe this could be the band’s best release to date, which is saying something because I do not think their previous releases are to be overlooked.

    I am quite familiar with these Italian thrash metal musicians as I remember reviewing their second album, “Burst into the Quite,” which was released through Scarlett Records. Ever since I reviewed that album I have reviewed every new Game Over release. On each new album I hear the band getting even better, especially pertaining to songwriting and musicianship. The band knows how to compose some catchy riffs along with vivid lyrical content that takes control of your metal mind.

    Out of the ten tracks you will not find one throw away song, because Game Over is not a band to write a generic piece of worship rubbish. As I said before, the band keeps building off previous releases and finds new ways to utilize their vicious and ravenous thrash sound. The opening instrumental piece, “Onward to the Blackness,” contains an eerie synth part like something from a John Carpenter film and then demonstrates the solid guitar talents that this band has to offer. The chord progression matched with the epic lead part towards the end made this one of the most well produced intro’s I have heard in a longtime.

   The second song, “Two Steps in the Shadows,” begins where the opening instrumental finished and explodes into a furious jam of riff insanity. There are some killer bass lines and the drumming adds such a devastating impact at times. Game Over’s vocalist lays down some raw shouts of unapologetic rage that compliment the vicious guitar parts. Track three, “Last Before the End,” hits your ears with some bombastic drumming and crushing riffs. The next song, “My Private Nightmare,” tears through more speed demon like thrash riffs and has a very old school thrash sound.

    The song, “Blessed are the Heretics,” is a song I have heard before when I reviewed the Ep by the same. That track was a great preview of what this album would sound like and I think the lead guitar playing on the song showed how Game Over is really coming along in terms of technicality. The songs “Eleven” and “Broken Trails,” are gritty cuts of thrash that make you just want to bang your head and run into the pit. Adding some variation to the album, “Shattered Souls,” is an instrumental piece of classical acoustic guitar. Game Over has done this before with the acoustic guitar composition thrown in on previous releases and I think it really shows how they are extremely talented musicians.

    Track number nine, “Lysander,” has a very raw sound and the chorus in the song is well presented by the vocalist with his unforgiving bold style of singing. Finishing the album in explosive thrash style is, “Show Me What you Got.” There are numerous catchy riff sections that you find stuck in your head once the song is over.

    After listening to Game over's new album, I am reminded why I keep reviewing each new release from these guys. The production was top notch, the riffs were killer and the music reminded you of old school thrash, yet was presented in a distinct and original manner. Game Over’s “Claiming Supremacy,” is an album to definitely check out and the band is sure to be releasing more material based on their past record. When it comes to new thrash metal music, the game is never over for Game Over...they just keep music coming!

Game Over Facebook Page:
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Game Over "Blessed Are the Heretics"

    Game Over is a band that simply does not record an album and then disappears for a few years before returning to the studio. Last year the band released their third full-length album, Crimes Against Reality, and now they are back this year with a brand new EP called, Blessed Are the Heretics.

    These Italian thrashers have been on my radar since I reviewed their second album, Burst Into the Quiet. That release is well worth checking out and conveys such a raw old school thrash sound. Also, I have definitely heard an improvement in their sound since I reviewed that second album. When I reviewed Crimes Against Reality last year, I was impressed by the band’s hard work and dedication to take their sound into a more technical and dynamic direction.

    This new EP features a brand new song, a re-recorded version in Italian of the song “No More” from the band’s second album, a cover of Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) and three live recordings. Game Over’s new song, “Blessed Are the Heretics,” reassures people that the band knows how to conjure up a fierce piece of thrash metal music with an unapologetic attitude. I thought the song’s production stood out the most for me. The track is not another generic thrash tune with basic boring palm muted riffs. There are some unique compositions to demonstrate a more progressive style of thrash which I notice Game Over is starting to focus more on.

    The second song on the EP is a re-recorded version of the song, “No More,” which is now titled, “Mai Più.” I liked the idea to record the song in Italian and felt the band did a great job presenting the lyrics in their mother tongue. For their cover of Dead or Alive’s, “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record), I was quite interested in hearing how the band would tackle this 80’s pop song. To my surprise the band cleverly converted the 80's one-hit wonder into a nuclear assault of thrash fury. The band’s vocalist provides some solid vocals to compliment the song’s fast paced tempo. I can actually picture some metal maniacs thrashing around in front of the stage during this cover.

    Listeners who enjoy live recordings will want to check out the final three tracks on the EP. The final three songs, “Mountains of Madness,” “Fix Your Brain” and “C.H.U.C.K.” are killer live versions of songs from the band’s previous releases. I personally enjoyed, “C.H.U.C.K.” the most out of the three live recordings since that is one of my favorite Game Over songs. The band summons that sinister riff driven old school thrash sound and I really like the bass parts during the song. That bass sound is something I would expect to hear from bands like Anthrax, Nuclear Assault or Overkill.

    Once again, Game Over is keeping the relentless thrash attack moving forward by putting out yet another solid release with, Blessed Are the Heretics. For the last three years I have reviewed three Game Over releases and I look forward to more music from these dedicated enthusiastic thrashers. If you are a fanatical fan of thrash metal I recommend checking out this new EP and the previous Game Over releases. I find that the metal world needs to put less emphasis on Metallica possibly collaborating with Lady Gaga and pay more attention to bands like Game Over. The up and coming acts such as Game Over are helping to keep the thrash metal legacy alive and I hope they continue to carry on the flag for many more years.


Game Over "C.H.U.C.K." :

Game Over Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/GameOverThrashMetal/

Game Over "Crimes Against Reality"

    The fierce ambitious drive of Italian thrashers, Game Over, is back for another full-length release full of killer riffs and stage diving songs. “Crimes Against Reality,” marks the band’s third full-length release and is the follow up to their crushing sophomore release, “Burst Into the Quiet.” 

    Upon receiving this album for review, I was quite aware of Game Over and I knew what these dudes were capable of delivering. I reviewed, “Burst Into the Quiet,” which I thought captured the true spirit old school thrash, while offering listeners an exciting and enjoyable sounding release. Of course, they are not reinventing the wheel, but the quality of music and talent level is still very impressive. For their new album, “Crimes Against Reality,” I can honestly hear where the band has become even stronger, for example their songwriting. On their previous releases, they seemed to offer a very straightforward headbanging rapid riff assault in the vein of bands such as Municipal Waste and Nuclear Assault. The new material in my opinion is written in a very thoughtful manner that compliments the band’s creative social issue and horror movie inspired lyrics. 

    Opening the album is the epic guitar driven and massive sounding drum build up instrumental piece called, “What Lies Within...”. Shortly after a slight fade out, the next song, “33 Park Street,” kicks off with a unforgiving explosion of palm muted guitar riffs. The lead guitar playing bleeds with technical passion and instantly draws my attention. I am thinking to myself, damn these dudes are raising the bar right off the bat! The following song, “Neon Maniacs,” has a very thrash based sound, but also gives off this punk vibe that I think really constructs a solid song. There is no need to constantly push unnecessary technicality on listeners, because if the rhythm is catchy the lyrics sound badass that is all that matters in the end. Again, the leads are incorporated when necessary and the recording of all the instruments allows listeners to follow along and not get lost in a blizzard of random notes. 

    Track number four, “With All That is Left,” is another impressive piece and the use of different tempos stands out the most. There is this mellow acoustic part that grows until it reaches a powerful climax of raw emotion that comes from the singers strong vocal tone. It reminded me of the band Xentrix, because there is diversity in the compositions to where the thrash riffs do not dominate the song and it allows for more thoughtful songwriting. The next thrash’n song, “Astral Matter,” begins with an astral sounding bass riff and the song’s overall atmosphere is rather science fiction like, which I of course find to be completely awesome. Game Over even offers a fun classical thrash fusion piece called, “Fugue in D Minor.” They lay down some very impressive guitar playing as the drums attack with insane double base force. Until the very end, this album offers solid song after solid song. 

    Overall, I think Game Over put together a great sounding third release that shows their hard work and determination. Three full-length albums since 2012 is pretty darn good. Also, they are improving with each release, so I am already expecting the fourth album to be another headbanging smashing release. From the songwriting, to the musicianship, to the old school thrash looking album cover... (Yes, I sometimes factor album covers in reviews, so sue me)...Game Over is an up and coming band waving the flag for global thrash fanatics. Seriously, give them a listen and get this album! \m/ 

Check out this video for "Neon Maniacs": 

Game Over Facebook Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/GameOverThrashMetal/