Review by Felix on July 19, 2026.

Be aware of the danger of underestimating the Italian thrash metal scene. The sunny country seems to be the breeding ground of many activists. Four of them form the line-up of Game Over. If you see my rating for the eponymous debut of Nuclear Assault, it comes as no surprise that I am willing to give this band a leap of faith merely because of the name of their formation. Guys who choose a label that relates to the perfect album of Lilker and his friends must have good music taste. The design of their logo also evokes memories of Nuclear Assault. But, of course, the crucial thing is not the musical taste of the artists. More interesting is the question of whether the musical approach of the band surpasses their slightly ridiculous cover artwork. It seems to be a homage to Tankard's "Zombie Attack", unfortunately without the humour of the German beer drinkers. Anyway, the compositions of the Italians wipe away all doubts and uncertainties.

Without wasting their time with a senseless intro, Game Over attacks with piercing guitars that represent the essential pillar of their sound. Naturally, the lead vocals as well as the strengthening background vocals also call for war, and the appropriate amount of dynamic tempo changes must under no circumstances go by the board. But the domination of the wild riffs and the lively leads cannot be doubted. Even the strongest kind of tinnitus surrenders with regard to the energetic guitar performance of the Italian squadron. These guys have received an overdose of stimulants, and they know how to channel their surplus power. While enjoying the pleasures of high-speed material, the guitarists fire dozens of riffs that have thrash metal written all over them. Indeed, the band just plays thrash without copying one of the role models. They seem to be inspired by the entire history of old school thrash without focusing on a specific group, and their cleverly arranged guitar work injects a fresh take on the tried and tested formula of the genre. That's exactly the way I like it. This also means that punk or hardcore does not play a role. Apart from the band name and a miniature track, the music of Nuclear Assault is no benchmark for the dudes of Game Over.

In terms of speed and aggression, "Burst into the Quiet" can roughly be compared with the first album of Forbidden. The Italians do not unleash the absolute inferno, and they also avoid an inappropriate number of mellow sections. The result is that the album can be found halfway between "Darkness Descends" and "The Ritual". Irrespective of this stylistic direction, the output surprises with its murderous song structures. No, they are not progressive. The point that I would like to highlight is that the guys have an admirable feeling for the seamless connection of the different parts of the tracks. Without neglecting the necessary degree of rough edges, the majority of the pieces have a very natural flow. This is because the band does not integrate 1000 riffs per song. Furthermore, the solos are very well embedded. The successful balancing act between avoiding both primitive and excessively decorated song patterns constitutes a very good argument for the band in order to get your attention. By the way, the dudes also manage to combine a traditional thrash feeling with modern youthfulness. Nobody can blame them for being focused on the groundbreaking releases of the mid-eighties.

Of course, "Game Over" cannot be understood in a programmatic way. Although "Burst Into the Quiet" is already the third full-length of the formation, the music sounds as if the game has just begun. Listen to impulsive and spontaneous outbursts such as "C.H.U.C.K.," with its edgy riffs and the howling guitars at the end, the jagged "Trapped Inside Your Mind," or the rapid and pinpoint "The Eyes (of the Mad Gartner)", start to play air guitar and bang your head. While some of the old heroes have a radius of movement like a friendly mummy, Game Over's songs reflect their fidgety liveliness. I am not interested in having a ceremonious candlelit dinner with the guys who can hardly just sit around, but I definitely want to dive deeper into their discography.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10