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, whose one-time lead guitarist
Dan Spitz was also an early member of Overkill, the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal bands, and they are often called "the
Motörhead of thrash metal". The band has a notable mascot named "Chaly", a skeletal bat with a skull-like face, horns, bony wings and green eyes. Chaly has appeared on most of their album covers.