OVERKILL Frontman: 'The True Measure Of A Coward Is Leaving The Flag And Not Hanging Around'

March 28, 2017

In a brand new interview with Shutter 16 magazine, OVERKILL frontman Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth was asked if he had a favorite place in the world to play. He responded (see video below): "Well, I'm an American. I've always been proud of our country. I have a European wife, so I like playing The Netherlands, where she's from. But that's still based on family or maybe that pride that I have just as an individual."

He continued: "I love to see the world, I love to experience all different things, but tried and true, I'm red, white and blue. I like being in the States."

Ellsworth went on to call America "a beautiful democracy," despite the deep division that exists in the country over the new U.S. leader's policies. He explained: "I mean, I love Germany. That's like my second home; we got our start out there. I love these people. But I can never understand how people, when they're not getting their own way in the modern era, [they say], 'I'm getting outta here.' I think to myself, 'What the fuck? You only say that because you can afford to. The rest of us can't.'

"In my opinion, the true measure of a coward is leaving the flag and not hanging around to see it through — regardless of what your opinion is, whatever side of the [political fence you are on]," he added. "So I like being here and I still fly the flag and salute the vets and the whole thing."

Ellsworth told The Metal Voice back in January that he won't cover political topics in his lyrics because he doesn't want to "invade" people's personal beliefs. He explained: "I love politics. I mean, it's something I've followed since before college, when I was in high school; it's just something I've always liked. I think it's because I like history, and I think if you like history, you equate it to the politic of the time. So, for me, it's of great personal interest, but I don't think I'm qualified to tell people what my views are or what my stance is on something. And not that I have great influence."

OVERKILL's eighteenth album, "The Grinding Wheel", was released on February 10 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was produced by OVERKILL and mixed by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, ACCEPT). The artwork was created again by Travis Smith (NEVERMORE, OPETH, SOILWORK, DEATH).

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