Overdose

Progress of Decadence (Futurist)
by Joe Hacking

Brazil not only produced death metal monsters Sepultura, it produced Overdose as well. While the two bands began their careers at the same time, Overdose’s brand of South American heaviness has only recently made it to the ears of American audiences.

Their new Futurist release, Progress of Decadence, is actually the band’s sixth album. Unlike their friends in Sepultura, Overdose was stuck in Brazil due to contractual obligations. They’ve used that time to work on their songwriting skills and make themselves local celebrities at home. While you can hear the similarity in styles between Sepultura and Overdose, Overdose is not an all-out death metal unit. The rhythms and beats laid down by drummer/percussionist Andre Marcio are at times rooted in native Indian music. Vocalist/percussionist B.Z. (pronounced “baza”) has less of the demon-rasp associated with death metal. The guitar section of Claudio David (rhythm and lead), Sergio Cichovicz (rhythm), and Eddie Weber (bass) leans more towards heavy than metal. Progress of Decadence is surprisingly fresh considering how clichéd music in this genre can become. Upon multiple listenings, the time changes and Brazilian rhythms clarify the character of this new-on-the-scene band. For those seeking a new twist on an old sound, Progress of Decadence is the disc for you.