OVERKILL Pushes Forward With New Drummer Jeramie Kling as D.D. Verni Battles Shoulder Injury
Thrash metal veterans OVERKILL have been soldiering on recently with some help from their friends, as bassist D.D. Verni recovers from a persistent shoulder issue. The band’s vocalist, Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth, recently addressed Verni’s absence in interviews, emphasizing the bassist’s determination to return to the stage and the band’s commitment to delivering their signature aggressive sound.
A Shoulder Issue Sidelines Verni
Verni, a founding member of OVERKILL, has been dealing with repeated shoulder problems, requiring multiple surgeries and putting a strain on his ability to play live. While he managed to perform most of the European tour, the band opted for a rotating cast of stand-in bassists for select dates, including Christian Olde Wolbers (ex-FEAR FACTORY), Christian “Speesy” Giesler (ex-KREATOR), and David Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH).
“D.D.’s pushing it,” Ellsworth explained. “He’s cleared to play, but not at… The repetition is what could rip the rotator cuff again. Now, the issue that he has is that the right one has been done twice now. So this is his second operation or second reconnection of the cuff. While this was happening, he ripped the left, so he’s kind of this marionette, you might want to say. That said, he did most of the European tour and we’re hoping that he does all of what’s coming up for us. I mean, if not, we always have somebody in the wings that can walk in.”
Verni, a familiar face on the metal scene, returned to live performances on May 17 after undergoing spring shoulder surgery. He triumphantly rejoined his bandmates at the Milwaukee Metal Fest, showcasing his resilience and dedication to OVERKILL.
Jeramie Kling Brings His Unique Groove to OVERKILL
Adding a fresh dimension to OVERKILL’s sound is their new drummer, Jeramie Kling. Kling, who made his live debut with OVERKILL on August 30 at the Posada Rock festival in Romania, stepped in to fill the spot left vacant by Jason Bittner, who announced his exit from the band earlier that month.
Ellsworth spoke highly of Kling, noting a connection that spans back to the early 2010s. “The new drummer is actually an old friend of ours,” he shared. “He started with us back in the 2010 era— I think it was the “Ironbound” record—and that’s Jeramie Kling. He moved on from us into a band called THE ABSENCE, out of Florida, [and] from there into VENOM INC. And we’ve always been in touch with the guy. He’s always been a great drummer. He’s kind of brought, I think—I don’t know—a little more of the swing back to what OVERKILL used to be. OVERKILL used to have a little of this going on, that sideways movement, especially with regard to the beat. It wasn’t just this bombastic kind of a computerized sound; it was more of a natural sound. And I think that that’s what Jeramie brings back to us. He’s a really hard hitter, but he has that little bit of that swing.”
Kling’s experience is extensive, having played with acts like FORE, RIBSPREADER, GOREGÄNG, and NECROMANCING THE STONE. He also had a stint 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). In addition to his drumming prowess, Kling is a multi-talented musician, working as a recording engineer, producer, and live sound engineer.
On the Road with KING DIAMOND
OVERKILL is currently supporting the legendary KING DIAMOND on a North American tour, which kicked off on October 15 in San Antonio, Texas, and will wrap up on December 6 in Dallas, Texas.
The band’s latest album, “Scorched,” was released earlier this year via Nuclear Blast Records. It marks their 20th studio effort, further solidifying their legacy in the thrash metal genre.
What are some of the challenges that Overkill has faced recently?
## Overkill Forges Ahead: A Conversation with Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth
**Interviewer:** Bobby, Overkill has been through some bumps in the road lately, most notably with D.D.’s shoulder injury. Can you talk about how the band’s navigated this challenge?
**Blitz:** It’s been a wild ride, for sure. D.D.’s a warrior, though. He’s had multiple surgeries and is pushing himself to get back on stage. He did most of the European tour, which was incredible considering the pain he must have been in.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like he’s incredibly determined.
**Blitz:** Absolutely. But we also have to be smart. The repetition of playing can re-injure his shoulder. So we’ve had some amazing stand-in bassists step in when needed – guys like Christian Olde Wolbers, Speesy Giesler, and even David Ellefson.[[[[
**Interviewer:** That’s a pretty impressive lineup of replacements!
**Blitz:** It speaks to the respect people have for Overkill and the support we have in the metal community., we’re lucky to have these guys in our corner.
**Interviewer:** On top of that, you’ve got a new drummer, Jeramie Kling. What brought him into the fold?
**Blitz:** Jason Bittner decided to move on earlier this year, and Jeramie stepped right up. He’s a phenomenal drummer, brings a lot of energy to the stage.
**Interviewer:** And his style gels with Overkill’s sound?
**Blitz:** He fits in perfectly. We’re excited to see what he brings to the table.
**Interviewer:** So, despite the obstacles, Overkill is still going strong.
**Blitz:** No doubt about it. We’re veterans, we know how to weather a storm. We’ve got new music brewing, we’ve got a new drummer pushing us, and we’ve got D.D. fighting to get back on stage. Overkill will always keep going.
