Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many lineup changes, leaving bassist D.D. Verni and lead vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth as the only constant members. The band's current lineup includes Verni, Ellsworth, Dave Linsk on lead guitar and Derek Tailer on rhythm guitar. Along with Nuclear Assault and Anthrax, the latter of whom would feature one-time Overkill lead guitarist Dan Spitz, the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal bands, and they are often called "the Motörhead of thrash metal", based on their unique playing style, which was influenced by punk rock and the new wave of British heavy metal. The band has a notable mascot named "Chaly" who has appeared on many of their album covers.
Overkill has released twenty studio albums, an album of cover songs, two EPs, one demo tape and three live albums. They were one of the first thrash metal bands to be signed to a major label, and rose to popularity as part of the genre's movement of the mid-to-late 1980s, along with the "Big Four" as well as Exodus and Testament.