THE BEAST

OVERKILL Gears Up for New Album: Writing and Demoing Under New Drummer Jeramie Kling

Thrash metal stalwarts OVERKILL are already firing up the creative engines for the follow-up to their 2023 Nuclear Blast release, Scorched. The band, known for their relentless touring and unyielding riff assaults, is reportedly deep into writing and demoing sessions, with new drummer Jeramie Kling taking center stage behind an electronic drum kit from Roland.

Kling, confirmed as OVERKILL’s newest drummer in August 2024, is bringing a fresh dynamic to the veteran lineup. He replaced Jason Bittner, who had been with the band since 2017 and played on The Wings of War (2019) and Scorched. In a recent post, Kling expressed excitement over his new drum setup, noting that it’s already becoming a key part of his work on the band’s upcoming material.

Before joining OVERKILL, Kling had an extensive metal résumé. He was a founding member of THE ABSENCE, contributed to VENOM INC.’s 2022 album There’s Only Black, and has collaborated with FORE, RIBSPREADER, GOREGÄNG, and NECROMANCING THE STONE. Kling also briefly played with the reunited Florida death metal band MASSACRE, which led to the formation of INHUMAN CONDITION alongside Terry Butler (OBITUARY, ex-DEATH) and Taylor Nordberg (DEICIDE). Beyond drumming, he is a seasoned recording engineer, producer, and live sound engineer—skills that are proving valuable during the band’s writing sessions.

Jason Bittner’s departure from OVERKILL, while amicable, was the result of long-standing frustrations. Speaking to Pod Scum last November, he revealed he hadn’t been happy with his role in the band for about two years and cited financial dissatisfaction, adding that there was no ill will involved—“just a business thing,” he clarified. Bassist D.D. Verni told Capital Chaos TV that the band had anticipated Bittner’s exit, noting that he was simply burned out with too many commitments.

OVERKILL debuted Kling live on August 30, 2024, at Posada Rock Festival in Câmpulung Muscel, Romania, and the show was met with enthusiasm from fans who were eager to see how the new drummer would mesh with the legendary thrash unit.

As the band dives into this next chapter, fans can expect the aggressive, high-energy sound OVERKILL is known for—this time with Kling’s technical prowess and production expertise driving the creative process. While a release date for the new album hasn’t been announced, it’s clear the band is charging forward with momentum.

For die-hard thrash enthusiasts, this is the start of another exciting era for OVERKILL—and the first demos are already hinting that the band’s signature intensity isn’t slowing down anytime soon.