Home » THE HELLACOPTERS – ‘OVERDRIVER’ (2025, NUCLEAR BLAST)

THE HELLACOPTERS – ‘OVERDRIVER’ (2025, NUCLEAR BLAST)

by Antonis Mantzavinos

One of Sweden’s greatest ever bands, the mighty Hellacopters release – most probably – their more mature album which comes to no surprise, taking into consideration of what this band is capable of doing and delivering to the rock n’ roll fans. ‘Overdriver’ comes up to a point where Dregen is not able to record or play live with the band, unfortunately because of his hand injury, that has forced him to be sidelined for a substantial amount of time. After all, the band has been through numerous line-up changes since they started their career in the 90s. And this was never a problem for the always restless Nicke Andersson & Co. to keep on rocking and playing great music.

The name of the album ‘Overdriver’ comes – according to Nicke – from a late 60s/early 70s pedal called ‘overdriver’ from the brand ‘Color Sound’ which he likes so much, and wanted to give that title to the album, following numerous attempts with the rest of the band to find the proper name.

This album is their sophomore one and blends all the elements for which we have loved the sound of the band: catchy choruses and riffs, vintage and old school rock n’ roll groove and an attitude of awesomeness and “Grande Rock”! Nicke Andersson is on a fantastic mood, both on vocals and guitars, he is thriving in between the songs and delivers one of his most complete and well-crafted performances, without ‘breaking a world record’ of course. He – and to the extend the whole band – need nothing to prove of their status and musicianship, after so many years of a rich and dense career behind the wheels of different bands and music schemes. Speaking about guitars (all recorded for the album by Nicke), you can tell there is swagger, a laid back and fun approach and of course they have Nicke’s signature playing, tone and feeling (even in “The Stench” which has a bit slower and slightly doomier pace), reminding a lot of 60s and 70s kinda era. Brilliantly recorded, not exaggerating and having “an extra burden to carry”, blending perfectly the solos, leads, rhythm, all together in the classic electrifying Hellacopters trademark way. What is also worth mentioned about this album, is the integration of piano and keyboards in general, and well, yes, this is not news at all, as this is a major element in their discography, but Anders Lindström has excelled this on ‘Overdriver’. There are absolutely exciting parts on the album where keyboards are just so fine and nice.

Speaking about influences and inspirations, ‘business as usual’ of course, as there is a lot of MC5, KISS and you can even get the Beatles or Elton John (they piano/keyboards parts), enriching the palette of what ‘Overdriver’ is made of. This record makes you: avoid thinking of the successful ‘Eyes of Oblivion’ and live for what lies now in front of you, enjoying every second on this well balanced and placed record, where there are no fillers or indifferent – bypass – songs but inspired and authentic true rock n’ roll tunes that I look forward to listen them live very soon. This is AGAIN High Energy Rock N’ Roll at one of its finest moments. Play the album loud and let yourself get away with it!

P.S: Dregen, get well soon!

9/10

 

Text by Antonis Mantzavinos

 

Tracklist:

  1. Token Apologies
  2. Don’t Let Me Bring You Down
  3. (I Don’t Wanna Be) Just A Memory
  4. Wrong Face On
  5. Soldier On
  6. Doomsday Daydreams
  7. Faraway Looks
  8. Coming Down
  9. Do You Feel Normal
  10. The Stench
  11. Leave A Mark

 

 

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