Overdriver is The Hellacopters firing on all cylinders. Garage rock, hard rock, punk, metal—it’s all here, blended with the swagger of Nuggets-era psych and the arena-sized ambition of KISS. The riffs hit hard, the solos scorch, but the songwriting is the engine. Hooks and melodies shine through the grit, often with a distinct ‘60s undercurrent. The ever-present organ adds a rich, vintage hue absent from most modern garage revivalists. More refined than their early breakneck punk days, Overdriver leans into the melodic sensibilities they honed around Rock & Roll Is Dead—but without dulling the edges.
It starts at full throttle. "Token Apologies" channels MC5’s frenetic energy, fusing raw riffing with sharp pop instincts. "Faraway Looks" is a high-speed, fist-pumping mix of KISS and the New York Dolls, echoing early Hellacopters burners like "Soulseller" or "Gotta Get Some Action Now". "Coming Down" slows the charge just enough to let Dio-era Sabbath weight collide with Southern rock’s dirty swing.
A different shade of heaviness emerges in "Wrong Face On", steeped in the organ-drenched drama of Deep Purple’s MK II era. "Soldier On" twists classic heavy metal through a psychedelic haze, evoking Blue Öyster Cult’s sinister side. The influence resurfaces on "Don't Let Me Bring You Down", a moody, melodic rock burner with an air of mystique.
At its most anthemic, Overdriver stretches toward epic proportions. "(I Don’t Wanna Be) Just A Memory" is a punk rock Boston, all soaring melodies and arena ambition. "Doomsday Daydreams" goes even bigger, stretching its reach with grand, widescreen intensity. "Leave a Mark" takes that scope and injects it with Stooges-like ferocity and the guitar heroics of ‘70s Scorpions.
Then there’s the left turns. "Do You Feel Normal" is pure power pop, Big Star-style, with chiming guitars and a sugar-rush chorus. Even the fade-out feels ripped from a lost AM radio classic. The Stench takes a detour into something darker—a demented carnival ride of Black Sabbath doom and Killer-era Alice Cooper menace.
Overdriver isn’t as reckless as early Hellacopters, but the songwriting is sharper than ever. No filler. No bloat. 11 tracks, 40 minutes—exactly how high-octane rock ‘n’ roll should be.
Genre: Hard Rock
Release date: January 31st, 2025
Produced by: Nicke Andersson
Label: Nuclear Blast
Rating: 7/10
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