Overoth

New Album Release Date Announced!

penhammer — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 20:11:57 +0000

Its been one year since work began on this and now we are very pleased to announce that our debut album ‘Kingdom Of Shadows’ will be released on 15/02/10. We’d like to thank all who have been involved in the making of the album most importantly Alwyn Walker at Komodo Studios and Geoff Blair for the artwork. We’ll be hosting a launch at The Limelight, Belfast on 25/02/10 with further shows being planned so watch this space, we’ll see you all soon.

Cork Winterfest 2009/ Winterfest Aftermath

Jay — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:36:43 +0000

Both reviews written for MetalIreland.com

Winterfest 2009

Having not previously seen Overoth I was informed by a fellow attendee as they were setting up on stage that “it’s complete Morbid Angel worship”. They weren’t too far off the mark. They weren’t wrong either with the rest of that sentence, which ended with “and that’s not necessarily a bad thing”. Recognised for some time now as one of Northern Ireland’s leading death metal bands, Overoth are perhaps somewhat less known in the Republic, but their Winterfest performance has surely gained them a new legion of Southern fans.

The two words “Morbid” and “Angel” were mentioned more times than one can count by various onlookers who I spoke to both during and after their set (originality is over-rated anyway), and most eyes in the venue seemed firmly fixed on the stage throughout their set of pummelling old school death metal. Frontman Andy knows how to front a death metal band. You see, it’s not simply about mastering your instrument or vocal style.

It’s just as much about the look. And I mean the look on a frontman’s face when mid-growl he casts his eyes up to the god that most of us don’t believe in, with a scowl that is almost a visual representation of the frustration – nay – hatred – with which the same entity is viewed by any self-respecting death metaller. It makes you believe in the music. And that is death metal delivered at its finest. Confident, technically agile, with a hint of insanity (if only for theatrical purposes). With a full-length album due out in 2010, Overoth are definitely a band to keep your eyes on.

- Muiris O’Fiannachta

Winterfest Aftermath

And now to Overoth. What more needs to be said? Best death metal band in Ireland bar none (yes Abaddon Incarnate, you’ve been usurped), and completely wired from a potentially lethal car tyre blowout on the drive up, they’re exhilarating to watch. Full of energy, massive stage presence and unbelievably good songs, Overoth are untouchable, and easily the band of the night.

More manic and oppressive than the previous night’s performance, they tear through a technical and brilliant set that ignites a fury of headbanging down the front. Great stuff all round, and it leaves the crowd looking and feeling completely spent.

- Dónal McBrien

2009 draws to an end!

penhammer — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:00:11 +0000

Thats it for Overoth for 2009. This year has been one of the most up and down years for the band. Starting off in January with a bang touring in Switzerland & Ireland with Shadows Far. Late February & early March seen the band touring in Sweden with Swedish death metal veterens Godhate & also Volturyon. In May Overoth supported US heavyweights Origin for their Irish dates promoting their latest release. June saw a lineup change with drummer Gary leaving and Jay joining the fold 2 weeks before Godhate teamed up with Overoth once again, this time for four dates on Irish soil. In August Overoth supported UK thrashers Onslaught and also made an appearance at Irelands Low End Festival sharing the bill with Napalm Death & Primordial to name a few. Things cooled off for the next few months as the bands European Tour plans hit a wall and everything had to be cancelled. December rounded the year off on a high with an appearance at Cork Winterfest sharing the bill with Grand Magus, Mael Morda, Hail Of Bullets and more. Overoths debut album ‘Kingdom Of Shadows’ was also completed in 2009 and is due for release at the end of january 2010.

This is just some of the highlights this year and hopefully 2010 will bring the same if not more success. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Kingdom of Shadows (2009)

Jay — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:18:09 +0000

1. Kingdom Of Shadows
2. I Am One, I Am All
3. A Cry To The Fallen…
4. Summon The Cursed
5. The Serpent Of Old
6. Led To The Slaughter
7. Pathway To Demise
8. Obsidian Blade
9. Upon The Altar
10. The Forbidden Realm

Death Personified (2007)

Jay — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:17:09 +0000

1. Overoth
2. Suffering of the Detained
3. Death Personified
4. Oath of Flesh
5. Thanatos Rise
6. Lord of Desolation

Pathway to Demise (2006)

Jay — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:16:38 +0000

1. Ambience ov the Underworld
2. Led to the Slaughter
3. Discples ov Death
4. Pathway to Demise

New site online!

Jay — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:10:53 +0000

As 2009 is drawing to a close, the next chapter in the Overoth book is only beginning. Our new album “Kingdom of Shadows” is due to be released very soon, we have new merch on the way and now, as you can see, we have a new web site.

As of next week we will be back gigging again, starting off in The Ivy – Newtownards and then we will be down for this year’s Cork Winterfest in December. We also have plans to get back over to mainland Europe in the new year. More updates to follow so watch this space!

Metal Team UK

Jay — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:46:21 +0000

This Northern Ireland quartet love old school death metal, as do I. In todays over clinical and saturated death metal scene, Overoth are a breath of fetid air. The hugely dense sound of the opener is quickly followed by the bludgeoning old school mid 90s detonation of monstrous proportion that is “Suffering Of The Detained”. The short sharp snare blast never over stays its welcome as the great groove infused mid section is punctuated with rapid fire thrash style riffing. The leads are typically fast but retain an air of control. The title track continues with a very fast initial blast before launching into a thudding death metal crunch laced with power and brutality. “Oath Of Flesh” starts with a chopping thrash riff which paves the way for the battering bass drum work. The ability to mix metallic muscle with groove and rhythm is not easy but Overoth do it exceptionally well even if you’ve heard much of the riffing and structures before. “Thanatos Rise” offers the first glimpse of a different direction with its doom death approach at first, which is relatively short-lived but equally as effective, especially when it resurfaces mid way through the song. The demonic growling fits the music superbly without resorting to indecipherable nonsense as the bellowing spews forth relentlessly. The MCD ends with a beast-like bellow that starts “Lords Of Desolation” which sees more of the thrash riffing and snapping snare work hinted at earlier. The pace of all the songs fit well and even when the Slayer riffing and lead work makes an appearance it is relevant and fitting. Anyone with a penchant for old style death metal that is packed with dense riffing and flattening drum work would be wise to check these guys out.

- Martin Harris

Metalhubs

Jay — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:44:21 +0000

The closest I can come to describing Overoth’s sound is a mix between old Malevolent Creation, Unleashed, and possibly a hint of Bolt Thrower in there somewhere. Although Overoth do not exactly break new ground musically, they more than make up for it in naked savagery. From the first few bars of ‘Suffering Detained’ to the closing fade-out of ‘Lord of Desolation’, it feels as though an invisible hand is grabbing my head and forcing it to bang like a maniac. This is Death Metal. Free of pompous over-technical riffs or jazz-influenced strange-time signature noodling, Overoth instead focus on fucking shit up with blastbeats and Thrashy beats aplenty, and even the odd breakdown for good measure.

Metal Observer

Jay — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:43:10 +0000

OVEROTH may not be the most original Death Metal band in the world, but with the release of their debut EP, “Death Personified” – the Irish quartet give their performance all their heart. From the opening intro to the last track, OVEROTH will drag the listener through very brutal waters… At first listen, “Death Personified” may sound a little cliché because it doesn’t use a lot of initially catchy parts, but with continual listening the EP’s little nuances and details become more apparent. So the replay value of it is quite good even for people who may not enjoy Death Metal all that much. There is nothing that is going to reset the standards or even really push the envelope here. OVEROTH stick to playing a traditional Death Metal but they do it very well. In fact, despite this being a debut, one could swear that they were seasoned veterans of the genre by the way they present the EP. The guitars are fierce and heavy as they tear through a variety of complex riffs. Even in the song, “Thanatos Rise” the guitars get pretty groove and swing oriented which hints at a little BOLT THROWER in the mix. The drums are a killer combination of speed, technicality, and complimentary song-writing as they burst through blast beats and almost jazzy variations. Once again, in true underground Death Metal fashion the bass lines are almost completely gone in the mix although they do pop up every once in a while. There are a few solos here and there on “Death Personified” (the ending to “Oath Of The Flesh” is quite good) and they even dabble with some duel soloing at times. But this is the one area where the band could even push it further. But they are still on a good path with their career. One of the most impressive parts of the album has to be vocalist Andy Ennis. His guttural roar is so natural sounding that it sounds as though it takes no effort for him to be that loud and brutal sounding. I was hoping that he would try a little more variety in his vocal style but he doesn’t – and it doesn’t hurt the music at all. OVEROTH may not be throwing themselves out the wolves on this EP but they definitely make a damn good first impression. Whether it’s their massive vocal sound or killer riffs there are many reasons why “Death Personified” should be in your collection. Songs to check out: “Death Personified”, “Oath Of The Flesh”, “Lord Of Desolation”.