Overkill Bring the Night to New York City With Kreator + Warbringer [Photos]

Two of thrash's legendary acts combined forces to rock back-to-back nights at Stage 48 in New York during their current North American tour. Overkill and Kreator, along with opening act Warbringer, played to a packed house on the first of the two shows.

Playing a one hour set and finishing the night was the uncompromising Overkill, who, despite being from New Jersey, considered this a hometown show and for once nobody was arguing over New York and New Jersey. Frontman Bobby Blitz even stated that the one thing everyone can agree on is heavy metal. Busting out classics like the show opener 'Deny the Cross' and 'Hammerhead' early in the set surely had everyone on the same page.

The band mixed in a fresh batch of newer songs like 'Bring Me the Night,' 'Electric Rattlesnake' and the ultra-heavy 'Ironbound.' The crowd's energy was relentless, even during the newer material, showing that Overkill are still as relevant as ever and putting out quality material that holds up against some of the best songs from their early days. Blitz was electric as usual, running off stage during solos and sprinting back to the mic just in time to come right back into the song.

After some stage banter talking about how they miss home when they're on the road and how they miss the road when they're home, Blitz stated he knows we're all thinking about them, but "don't you worry 'bout me, you know I'm doing fine, basking in the light of the Necroshine!" The band forewent the build up of the intro to 'Necroshine' and got straight into it with the heaviest song of the night. Other staples were played and, as always, Overkill ended with the Subhumans cover of 'F--- You' and flipped the crowd off in the most thankful way.

Kreator provided direct support for Overkill, playing an hour long set as well. Mille Petrozza is one of the best frontmen who pulls double duty playing guitar. His interaction with the crowd is perfect to craft the atmosphere the band creates with their Hellish thrash, complimented by the near seizure-inducing use of strobe lights. The band tore through new songs in addition to the classics like 'Pleasure to Kill,' 'Riot of Violence,' and 'Flag of Hate,' quickly shifting into 'Tormentor' after announcing 'Flag of Hate' will be their last song.

Warbringer opened the show and had some sound issues to contend with, but they powered through the problem and delivered cuts like 'Severed Reality' and 'Towers of the Serpent' to a small, but dedicated crowd of thrashers.

Every band put on a spectacle of a show, with Overkill and Kreator creating friendly competition for each other, making it impossible for one band to upstage the other. These two bands consistently put on one of the most pummeling live shows, not only in thrash, but all of heavy metal.

Check Out Photos of Overkill, Kreator + Warbringer Performing in NYC:

Overkill:

Kreator:

Warbringer: