The Hellacopters: Overdriver
LP | CD | DL
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Out Now
The Hellacopters return with their eighth full album of authentic materials, Overdriver! The vastly prolific Swedes are again – and so they’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 document? I’ve capitalised it. For emphasis, and to precisely handle your expectations, as a result of regardless of the phrases of the intro, I might 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 direction of Metallic, both. It’s Punk in angle however not in articulation. It’s bought Storage power, however it’s far too polished and crafted to be dismissed as charmingly amateurish. Its influences are Basic 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 document?
Musical savant Nicke Andersson has been on a quest to create the proper ROCK document 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 instances at perfection. And despite the fact that their catalogue has highs and lows, I’d argue they’ve by no means launched a shitty document – and Overdriver may be the excessive level of the band’s previous couple of albums.
Nicke’s an itchy soul, however he at all times delivers the products. The Entombed LPs he drums on are the band’s greatest. Lucifer have overtaken themselves since he joined them on drums, bass and second guitar in 2017. Try his pop-rock band Union State Electrical. They soar. Loss of life Breath is his still-active self-deprecating Loss of life Metallic band. The Resolution 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 cut 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 gained awards, gained big audiences, particularly in Scandinavia, and earned a repute for creating world class Punk ‘N’ Roll. Persistently.
And now Overdriver.
To be clear from the beginning, they’ve carried out 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 at all times 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 few of the greatest writing the band has ever dedicated to tape.
It makes for a richer, extra partaking document. Extra than simply addictive celebration hits in tribute to Rock and Roll Itself, Overdriver appears 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 giant choruses, impossibly harmonious solos and sumptuous drum patterns.
What I discover so cool about Overdriver is that it has a pumping coronary heart that’s uncovered in each track, for higher or worse. The sincerity of the lyrical journey attracts you in as a listener, simply as a lot because the ingenious riffing. That’s new for The Hellacopters. Not that their lyrics are normally weak in any respect – they only really feel extra thought of on Overdriver. And the recording is richer – it feels so fucking analogue it may very well be an abacus. It’s thick and creamy, just like the neck pickup of a ’70s Les Paul. It’s a tactile sound. Every little thing has area. There may be readability with out sanitisation. If it was edible, it wouldn’t be good to your arteries.
Overdriver by The Hellacopters
The opening salvo of Token Apology, Don’t Let Me Convey You Down and album spotlight, (I Don’t Wanna Be) Simply A Reminiscence, climb to a peak that offers you probably 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 may be, oh no – Only a reminiscence.”
Been there, carried out that. Common truths at all times lower to the fast a lot extra deeply. The track is fab, in that timeless, craving, lovely means that has resonated with us all at one time or one other. It looks like this track is the rationale we take heed to information. It’s a type of songs you lastly handle to catch in your web that justifies the countless seek for perfection that we Vinyl Lepidopterists all interact in. Nostalgic, positive. However the craftsmanship is excellent.
Flawed Face On is excessive power, blistering punk and roll. And, in true Hellacopters fashion, you’re singing the refrain such as you’ve recognized it all of your life earlier than the run-out groove is even faintly in sight on the primary play by means of. The wobbly Psyche of Soldier On remembers classic Magnum – once more, I insist, no dangerous factor – though it took me a few goes to actually get behind it. Belief me – it turns into a contender. It simply wants a number of listens. Aspect One attracts to a detailed on a excessive with the alliterating Doomsday Daydreams, which remembers a few of the greatest 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 and Coming Down. The latter of which is a Muscle Shoals-style traditional in ready, with a nagging, harmonising refrain to rival one of the best that Skynyrd might 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 modifications. The glowing rush of the lyric traces. It’s an unimaginable track.
BUT it’d disappoint if you happen to come to the LP with ‘typical’ Hellacopters in thoughts. It’s considerably completely 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 would possibly miss out on a corker of an earworm and the golden line:
“Are you able to relate or would you’re 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 track on the LP – however it may be the lyrical excessive of the final word break up track:
“It’s the identical dialog we had yesterday. The identical conditions we at all times replay. However the stench right here ain’t going away”
It’s bought a waltzing sway that quickly turns into addictive and treasured. The album ends on Depart A Mark. Longer than the opposite tracks on the album. It’s a robust track 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 track can 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 yr that was ASTONISHING – and backed with an immaculate cowl of The Treatment’s Fireplace In Cairo, besides – the album would have been an ideal ten.
With Overdriver, The Hellacopters have carried out 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 will probably be on a continuing rotation, no matter whimsy. And that’s what makes it a traditional – not like their different albums, Overdriver’s not nearly power – it’s about what occurs when that power 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 document. The distinction is important. The Superb Format actually fits the document’s vibe.
Now all they should do is play the UK provinces and dig down on reissuing their again catalogue. You gained’t consider what their information price 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 reside the ‘Copters
All phrases by Sean Millard
We’ve got a small favour to ask. Subscribe to Louder Than Struggle and assist preserve the flame of unbiased music burning. Click on the button beneath to see the extras you get!