The Hellacopters: Overdriver
LP | CD | DL
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Out Now
The Hellacopters return with their eighth full album of unique materials, Overdriver! The massively prolific Swedes are again – they usually’re kickin’ ass and takin’ names. Sean Millard is in a spin over their newest assortment of full-blown Rock ‘n’ Roll.
When was the final time you heard a brand new ROCK file? I’ve capitalised it. For emphasis, and to precisely handle your expectations, as a result of regardless of the phrases of the intro, I may argue with myself that the ROLL is redundant – Overdriver is purer than that. It’s not as classic sounding, as a ROLL would recommend. It’s not veering in the direction of Metallic, both. It’s Punk in angle however not in articulation. It’s acquired Storage vitality, however it’s far too polished and crafted to be dismissed as charmingly amateurish. Its influences are Traditional and worn proudly, however it’s not bloated, misogynist or trite. It’s not dumb. It’s particular.
There are Lizzy twin guitars, Kiss rhythm riffs, Chilton-esque harmonies and, in locations, even the junky honky-tonks of The Stones. However the magic of The Hellacopters is that they take these ‘retro’ influences and form them into one thing distinctive to them – one thing fully up to date and thrilling.
So – when was the final time you heard a brand new ROCK file?
Musical savant Nicke Andersson has been on a quest to create the right ROCK file since he left Entombed to focus full-time on The Hellacopters in 1994. His ramshackle firm of misfits, gathered from a cluster of Scandinavian roadies and glamsters, have succeeded many occasions at perfection. And though their catalogue has highs and lows, I’d argue they’ve by no means launched a shitty file – and Overdriver could be the excessive level of the band’s previous few albums.
Nicke’s an itchy soul, however he all the time delivers the products. The Entombed LPs he drums on are the band’s finest. Lucifer have overtaken themselves since he joined them on drums, bass and second guitar in 2017. Take a look at his pop-rock band Union State Electrical. They soar. Demise Breath is his still-active self-deprecating Demise Metallic band. The Answer is the car for his Soul adventures. It’s protected to say Nicke is a musical fidget – however what worthwhile fidgeting it’s.
The Hellacopters break up amicably in 2008 to permit all their members to spend extra time on their different initiatives. They got here again collectively in 2016 and returned to turntables with Eyes of Oblivion in 2022. On the best way they received awards, gained big audiences, particularly in Scandinavia, and earned a status for creating world class Punk ‘N’ Roll. Persistently.
And now Overdriver.
To be clear from the beginning, they’ve finished it once more. Overdriver doesn’t have a duff observe on it, however it IS a departure – particularly from their earlier work. It’s not as uncooked or instantaneous, reactive or punching. All these issues have all the time made The Hellacopters ace. However simply because Overdriver doesn’t sound like Supershitty To The Max doesn’t imply it’s… erm… supershitty. Removed from it: the place as soon as the enjoyment was discovered lurking within the tough edges of spontaneity, now it’s sat, daring as brass, straddling its personal ego, within the craft and perfection of a number of the finest writing the band has ever dedicated to tape.
It makes for a richer, extra partaking file. Extra than simply addictive celebration hits in tribute to Rock and Roll Itself, Overdriver appears to be like inwards in addition to upward. It’s jubilantly confessional, defiantly damaged and celebrates its personal dysfunctionality. It picks on the scabs of fading relationships, home maturity and the endurance of life – and flicks them into an enormous sanitary disposal bin of big choruses, impossibly harmonious solos and luxurious drum patterns.
What I discover so cool about Overdriver is that it has a pumping coronary heart that’s uncovered in each music, for higher or worse. The sincerity of the lyrical journey attracts you in as a listener, simply as a lot because the creative riffing. That’s new for The Hellacopters. Not that their lyrics are often weak in any respect – they simply really feel extra thought-about on Overdriver. And the recording is richer – it feels so fucking analogue it might be an abacus. It’s thick and creamy, just like the neck pickup of a ’70s Les Paul. It’s a tactile sound. Every thing has house. There may be readability with out sanitisation. If it was edible, it wouldn’t be good on your arteries.
Overdriver by The Hellacopters
The opening salvo of Token Apology, Don’t Let Me Carry You Down and album spotlight, (I Don’t Wanna Be) Simply A Reminiscence, climb to a peak that provides you essentially the most superior emotional indigestion:
“I don’t wanna be only a reminiscence, I don’t wanna be simply your reminiscence. However a reminiscence’s all we could be, oh no – Only a reminiscence.”
Been there, finished that. Common truths all the time lower to the short a lot extra deeply. The music is fab, in that timeless, craving, stunning means that has resonated with us all at one time or one other. It appears like this music is the rationale we hearken to data. It’s a type of songs you lastly handle to catch in your web that justifies the limitless seek for perfection that we Vinyl Lepidopterists all have interaction in. Nostalgic, certain. However the craftsmanship is great.
Fallacious Face On is excessive vitality, blistering punk and roll. And, in true Hellacopters fashion, you’re singing the refrain such as you’ve identified it all of your life earlier than the run-out groove is even faintly in sight on the primary play by. The wobbly Psyche of Soldier On recollects classic Magnum – once more, I insist, no unhealthy factor – though it took me a few goes to actually get behind it. Belief me – it turns into a contender. It simply wants just a few listens. Aspect One attracts to a detailed on a excessive with the alliterating Doomsday Daydreams, which recollects a number of the finest moments on Eyes of Oblivion.
However we’re not given time to recuperate from our sew. Deep breaths. Aspect Two kicks off with the riff monster one-two that’s Faraway Seems to be and Coming Down. The latter of which is a Muscle Shoals-style basic in ready, with a nagging, harmonising refrain to rival one of the best that Skynyrd may provide, full with a mega guitar solo and low string bar finish descents. The album’s second preview observe, Do You Really feel Regular (the primary was I Don’t Wanna Be A Reminiscence) is like Large Star on (Ass) steroids. The guitar choosing. The vocal harmonising. The important thing adjustments. The glowing rush of the lyric strains. It’s an unimaginable music.
BUT it’d disappoint should you come to the LP with ‘typical’ Hellacopters in thoughts. It’s considerably totally different for them – which finally ends up being the rationale I ended up adoring it. So, open your thoughts and dispel your preconceptions. In any other case, you may miss out on a corker of an earworm and the golden line:
“Are you able to relate or would you are taking offense. In case your future’s her previous tense?”
It’s adopted by The Stench – one other left-field observe for the band – it’s the slowest music on the LP – however it could be the lyrical excessive of the final word break up music:
“It’s the identical dialog we had yesterday. The identical conditions we all the time replay. However the stench right here ain’t going away”
It’s acquired a waltzing sway that quickly turns into addictive and valuable. The album ends on Go away A Mark. Longer than the opposite tracks on the album. It’s a robust music to complete on, however maybe tellingly, marginally weaker than the others on the album. I discovered it a bit forgettable in comparison with the remainder of the LP – which units such a high-quality bar. For anybody else, the music could be big. Right here, it falls into final place in additional methods than one. If they’d ended the LP with Keep With Me – a real-life single from Could final 12 months that was ASTONISHING – and backed with an immaculate cowl of The Remedy’s Hearth In Cairo, as well – the album would have been an ideal ten.
With Overdriver, The Hellacopters have finished the unthinkable – veered away from their consolation zone – each for them and their followers, in some methods – however it’s an act of derring-do that pays dividends. Whereas I play the opposite LPs of their catalogue when a particular temper raises its horned hand, this newest album feels extra like it will likely be on a relentless rotation, no matter whimsy. And that’s what makes it a basic – not like their different albums, Overdriver’s not nearly vitality – it’s about what occurs when that vitality burns away – what you’re left with and what you do with it. It’s a deeper lower. Mine’s a restricted Apricot colored vinyl copy. It’s fairly. I’ve streamed it and performed the file. The distinction is important. The Superb Format actually fits the file’s vibe.
Now all they should do is play the UK provinces and dig down on reissuing their again catalogue. You received’t consider what their data value on Discogs. However till they do both if these issues, bask within the glory of Overdriver and let it ROCK you to your bones. It’s immense.
Hallelujah! And lengthy dwell the ‘Copters
All phrases by Sean Millard
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