Overkill's lineup is shifting, but the thrash metal spirit lives on! The iconic band is gearing up for their 'Thrash Of The Titans' tour in March/April 2026, and while the core remains, there are some exciting changes in the mix.
Christian Olde Wolbers, formerly of Fear Factory, will be stepping in on bass for the upcoming U.S. tour, supporting Testament. German thrashers Destruction will also be joining the lineup, promising a high-energy experience for fans.
Olde Wolbers himself shared the tour announcement, adding a personal touch with a message to fans: "See you guys and gals out there on the 'Thrash Of The Titans' Tour!"
This isn't the first time Wolbers has filled in for Overkill's bassist, D.D. Verni. He previously stepped up in the fall of 2024 during a North American tour with King Diamond. And this is the part most people miss: Verni has been dealing with a persistent shoulder issue.
For some European shows in September 2024, Overkill brought in Christian "Speesy" Giesler, ex-Kreator, as a temporary replacement for Verni.
Frontman Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth addressed Verni's health in a 2024 interview, explaining that the shoulder problem has been ongoing since before the 2019 album, 'The Wings Of War.' He emphasized the importance of Verni's rehabilitation and the need to limit the strain on his shoulder.
Verni's absence also extended to the April 2024 Latin American tour, where former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson filled in.
In a July 2024 interview, Verni himself opened up about his shoulder, stating that while he can still play, the demands of touring are what exacerbate the issue. He's committed to working hard and will adjust his participation as needed.
When asked about seeing Ellefson play his parts, Verni expressed a positive sentiment, highlighting his long friendship with Ellefson and acknowledging his talent. He even mentioned that if he had to choose a replacement, Ellefson or Frank Bello from Anthrax would be his top picks.
"You hate to miss shows — everybody hates to miss shows — 'cause it's just so much fun," D.D. continued. "But it wasn't as weird as I thought it was gonna be. It would be, like, 'Okay. This is okay. This will be okay.' And the guys in the band all know [David] too, so it was kind of like a friend of yours taking your car for a ride… That was kind of the vibe.
"It's a little weird — I get it — for fans," Verni admitted. "Like when I see people that filled in for Charlie Benante [in ANTHRAX]. It's, like, 'Wow, it's ANTHRAX without [Charlie].' Or [original ANTHRAX bassist] Danny Lilker was playing with ANTHRAX [in early 2024], and without Frank, it's like… Any time a guy that you're used to seeing is not there, it's kind of weird. But that's kind of the world we live in now. Sometimes you have to miss some shows, and you just hope that you get somebody who's kind of a great player to fill in.
"Did you ever think AC/DC would do a show without Brian Johnson?" Verni added. "My God. It was a little weird, but Axl [Rose] did a pretty good job. It was pretty good, I gotta say. It's either that or not playing, and I think at the end of the day, the music is kind of the best thing. So, that's the way it has to go sometimes."
But here's where it gets controversial...
How do you feel about band members changes? Do you think the music still delivers the same energy?
Overkill is also busy in the studio, working on a follow-up to their 2023 album, "Scorched," with a tentative release planned for late 2026.
In other news, Overkill welcomed Jeramie Kling as their new drummer in August 2024, replacing Jason Bittner, who departed the band earlier that month. Kling's first performance with Overkill was at the Posada Rock festival in Romania on August 30, 2024.
