The Years of Decay
Encyclopedia
The Years of Decay is the fourth studio album by thrash metal
band Overkill
. It was released in 1989 on the Megaforce
label, with distribution handled by Atlantic Records
. The album featured one of the band's best known songs, "Elimination", which received regular airplay on MTV
's Headbanger's Ball.
(Pantera
, Deftones
, White Zombie, Soundgarden
). It featured the band's cleanest production to date, mixing the raw approach of the previous album Under the Influence with the more complex song structures and epic elements found on the band's second album, Taking Over. The album also featured a more serious atmosphere and longer songs, including the eight-minute title track and the ten-minute "Playing with Spiders / Skullkrusher." The uptempo thrasher "Elimination" was released as a single, and the music video
received regular MTV
airplay. Live support for The Years of Decay took place in part with a tour called "Dawn of the Decade" together with label mates Testament
. The song Skullkrusher is strongly influenced by doom metal
, and could be considered as a tribute to Black Sabbath
. It is the only song on this album to feature guitars down-tuned to standard C tuning. The album is the best selling Overkill record so far, with 4 million copies worldwide.
All songs written by Verni, Ellsworth, and Gustafson
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Overkill
Overkill (band)
Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining from the original lineup. Along with Anthrax , the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal...
. It was released in 1989 on the Megaforce
Megaforce Records
Megaforce Records is an American independent record label which was founded in 1982 by Jon and Marsha Zazula to publish the first works of Metallica. It has offices in New York and Philadelphia. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony Music Entertainment/RED Distribution...
label, with distribution handled by Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. The album featured one of the band's best known songs, "Elimination", which received regular airplay on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Headbanger's Ball.
Overview
The album was recorded with famed producer Terry DateTerry Date
Terry Date is an American record producer and engineer, specializing in the rock and metal genres...
(Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
, Deftones
Deftones
Deftones are an American alternative metal band from Sacramento, California, founded in 1988. The band consists of Chino Moreno , Stephen Carpenter , Chi Cheng , Frank Delgado , and Abe Cunningham . Currently Sergio Vega is standing in on bass while Cheng recovers from a car accident...
, White Zombie, Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
). It featured the band's cleanest production to date, mixing the raw approach of the previous album Under the Influence with the more complex song structures and epic elements found on the band's second album, Taking Over. The album also featured a more serious atmosphere and longer songs, including the eight-minute title track and the ten-minute "Playing with Spiders / Skullkrusher." The uptempo thrasher "Elimination" was released as a single, and the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
received regular MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
airplay. Live support for The Years of Decay took place in part with a tour called "Dawn of the Decade" together with label mates Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
. The song Skullkrusher is strongly influenced by doom metal
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
, and could be considered as a tribute to Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
. It is the only song on this album to feature guitars down-tuned to standard C tuning. The album is the best selling Overkill record so far, with 4 million copies worldwide.
Track listing
- "Time to Kill" – 6:16
- "Elimination" – 4:34
- "I Hate" – 3:48
- "Nothing to Die for" – 4:22
- "Playing with Spiders/Skullkrusher" – 10:09
- "Birth of Tension" – 5:02
- "Who Tends the Fire" – 8:09
- "The Years of Decay" – 8:01
- "E.vil N.ever D.ies" – 5:49
All songs written by Verni, Ellsworth, and Gustafson
Personnel
- Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth – Vocals
- Bobby GustafsonBobby GustafsonBobby Gustafson is an American guitarist, best known as a member of the New York based thrash metal band Overkill.-Career:...
– Guitar - D.D. Verni – Bass
- Sid Falck – Drums
- Recorded and mixed June – July, 1989 at Carriage House StudiosCarriage House StudiosCarriage House Studios is a residential recording studio located in the suburbs of Stamford, Connecticut. Established in 1980, the Carriage House has recorded well-known artists like Diana Ross, Derek Trucks, Johnny Winter, Meatloaf, Rakim, Pantera, Ronnie Dio, Phyllis Hyman, Spyro Gyra, and The...
, Stamford, ConnecticutStamford, ConnecticutStamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
, USA - Produced by Terry DateTerry DateTerry Date is an American record producer and engineer, specializing in the rock and metal genres...
and OverkillOverkill (band)Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining from the original lineup. Along with Anthrax , the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal... - Engineered by Terry DateTerry DateTerry Date is an American record producer and engineer, specializing in the rock and metal genres...
- Assistant engineered by Matt Lane
- Mastered by Howie Weinberg at MasterdiskMasterdiskMasterdisk is an audio mastering and multimedia company in New York City, located on West 45th Street in Manhattan. They provide production services such as audio mastering, vinyl cutting and enhanced CD and DVD production....
, New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, USA - Front cover illustration by Steve Fastener and Rich Larson
- Photography by Michael Paras
- Executive produced by Jon and Marsha Zazula
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | The Billboard 200 | 155 |