ALBUM REVIEW: Overdriver – The Hellacopters
Swedish rockers THE HELLACOPTERS are back with their ninth studio album Overdriver. Their previous record, Eyes of Oblivion, marked their return in 2022 following their temporary hiatus announced back in 2008, and with this release not only being their second album since their return, but is also coinciding with their 30-year-anniversary, this is an occasion meant for celebration.
Over the course of their three-decade long career, THE HELLACOPTERS have made their name known through their high energy guitar riffs and never-ending catalogue of hooks and melodies, something that they aim to highlight on their newest record. A reminder of why it is that they’re so beloved in their home country and across Europe, a reminder as to why they’ve been around for so long. And is that goal achieved? By and large, yes.
Even if you’ve not listened to THE HELLACOPTERS before, the band will make themselves known through the non-stop high energy on this record with their hard rock meets classic rock n roll style. To kick things off, we open with Token Apologies where the first thing we hear is a loud clash of instruments which is certainly one way to grab your attention before the main track kicks off into their signature classic rock style. This then blends into the next song, Don’t Let Me Bring You Down, which brings in a moody, yet cool, vibe.
To the untrained ear, it would be easy to consider this as a stereotypical classic rock n roll record with little to set it out from other artists within the same genre yet even then you can’t stop yourself from humming along, tapping your foot or even having a little dance. It’s at this point where it would be fair to say that even if you’re not someone who would actively seek out THE HELLACOPTERS, or maybe this style of music, you can still enjoy it as background noise if you’re working or doing household chores or cooking a meal.
This is not our way of saying that they have created a record that sounds the same throughout, as there are moments where there’s fun experimentation or incorporation of different genres and styles. For example, (I Don’t Wanna Be) Just A Memory opens with vocals and guitar smoothly blended into one harmony, and Soldier On, a blues-rock song that brings in a lively piano that nicely works with the guitar riffs.
But of course, the main highlights are the catchy, energetic classic rock tracks that will have you singing along, and maybe even dancing if you’re brave enough, as shown on Doomsday Daydreams and Faraway Looks, with the latter generating images of fun scenes of a crowd reacting to this being performed live. So, if you’re in the mood for something feel-good and unapologetically catchy in both melody and lyrics, then THE HELLACOPTERS have you covered on this fun record.
Rating: 7/10
Overdriver is available now via Nuclear Blast
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