In 1980, the East Coast of the United States was immersed in the cultural vortex of punk, disco, stoner, new wave and heavy metal. Frustrated by an identity crisis in the suburbs and fueled by the new wave of British heavy metal, a small group of young people unknowingly created a more extreme and aggressive music, thrash metal. One of these pioneers was Lee Kundrat, aka Rat Skates

As new addition to its expanded list of programs, THE PIT VOD platform presents ‘Rat Skates – Born in the Basement’ : a documentary, told by Overkill’s founding drummer Rat Skates, and exploring the birth of the band and the thrash scene. Fueled by frustration and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, a group of energetic youths unknowingly created one of the most extreme sounds in music history.

The full documentary series is available right now on the platform with a 7-days FREE trial.

Rat Skates: The Visionary Behind Overkill and the Rise of Thrash Metal

Rat Skates, drummer and founding member of Overkill, launched the band in 1980. With relentless drive and a bold DIY ethic, he helped propel the New Jersey group from garage rehearsals to international stages.

A one-man creative force, Skates designed the band’s logo, merch, stage setup, and even edited their demo tapes—all by hand. When resources were scarce, he used sheer ingenuity to fill the gaps.

Despite Overkill’s rising success, Skates left after just two albums, frustrated by an industry that didn’t seem to reward his effort. In hindsight, with the band still thriving and releasing their 20th album in 2023, his exit seems premature.

In his documentary Born in the Basement, Skates revisits Overkill’s origins and the birth of Thrash Metal through his own eyes. 

The film avoids typical rock-doc drama and instead celebrates the camaraderie and passion that fueled their rise.

It’s a raw, inspiring look at the 1980s underground scene—and a must-watch for any musician or metal fan. Just like Skates himself, it’s all heart, hustle, and DIY spirit..