1977, a year that saw a revolt in the music world, as bands began to deliver the NWOBHM, heavy metal and rock with renewed energy. While the majority have long gone, just remaining as part of musical history, the story isn’t over. Many of the bands continue playing gigs even specially themed festivals and of course, the likes of Saxon, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest are still headlining major shows, with sell out audiences. Which brings me to Overdrive, who formed in that glorious year. Playing since they were kids and touring around the country, their break came in 1981 with the EP ‘On The Run’. John Peel played it on his rock show and soon they were sharing the stage with notable legends like ‘Def Leppard’. However, like so many, the fame and glory didn’t last and they split in 1982, reforming only briefly in 1988. Despite breaking up the guys remained friends and then in 2006 founder member Tracey Abbott, noticed a copy of their EP had sold on Ebay for a vast amount. Leading to question whether ‘Overdrive’ still had potential. Due to this and a resurgence of the NWOBHM genre, the band reunited again and long story short, they haven’t looked back since. Now with Mark Hale (Ex Dead Demons) on vocals, they have dropped a new studio album with the appropriate title ‘Resurrection’.
First up is the title track and it’s nearly five minutes of both intimate notes and boisterous rock. Mark’s vocals are highly pressed against that guitar noise which is meaningfully low. It continues with more captivating guitar, a burst of ‘whoas’ and plenty of surprises. ‘The Bloody Road To Hell’ is a gruesome vision, however the song is a delicious helping of gore ! Merciless vocals and a doom sounding rhythm from drummer Lucas Gurney and the other founder member bassist Ian Hamilton. It leads into ‘Crazy Child’ which has a lyrical intro and a slow release of devilish metal-ised tones. The twin guitars of Tracey Abbott and Ian Smith are finally let loose, creating that much loved sound that encapsulates NWOBHM. Where is ‘The Big Tree’, maybe it’s in the bands home town of Grantham, nevertheless it’s a roaring onslaught of a track and the drumsticks of Lucas are loud and prominent.
Mark excels on ’Never Thought It Would Be like This’ which is a really well thought out composition. Having an air of positivity and strong melody it’s truly great on the ear. Naturally there are intercepting guitar solos and more dexterous rhythm parts to keep up with him. ’Wreckless Necklace’ is pure nostalgia, the theme reminiscent of the late 70’s early 80’s when this music sat pride of place in the charts. As with ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ which slowly crawls into view. A heavy presence of guitars again that are balanced with the more levelled and spoken vocals, as it transcends with no remorse. On the eleventh and final song ‘Who Is DVD’, (I’m still not sure) the mighty Overdrive emit a gorgeous riff that holds throughout and the screaming taunts from Mark appear to have no barrier.
This is a superior album from Overdrive. Guys like Tracey and Ian, who have been playing together since school, have never given up and now the rewards are piling in. They’ve performed all over the world, have fans in nearly every country and still make incredible music. Long may they continue to raise the NWOBHM flag.
‘Creating that much loved sound that encapsulates NWOBHM’
HIGHLIGHTS – Resurrection, The Bloody Road To Hell, Never Thought It Would Be Like This, Cheyenne Spirit.
PHOTO CREDIT – Dariusz Hermiersz
TRACK LISTING – RESURRECTION. THE BLOODY ROAD TO HELL. CRAZY CHILD. THE BIG TREE. ALIEN . NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE LIKE THIS . TRANSFIXED. WRECKLESS NECKLACE. BLINK . CHEYENNE SPIRIT . WHO IS DVD.
Artwork: Smudge – Manchester, UK
Boring Grantham Records
Next live date for OVERDRIVE is Heavy Metal Night UK A FREE ENTRY GIG along with Spartan Warrior, Troyen, Sacred Alien, General Jack and fresh from his recent tour across Asia, Granthams very own superstar drummer – SAM BICKMORE ! See poster below.
OVERDRIVE ARE – Ian Smith – Guitar , Tracey Abbott – Guitar , Mark Hale – Lead Vocals, Lucas Gurney – Percussion, Ian Hamilton – Bass/Vocals
ORDER THE ALBUM DIRECT FROM OVERDRIVE –
Anybody who wishes to purchase the new Resurrection CD read on ! The price per CD is £10.00 Postage will be with Royal Mail – As follows: UK £3.59 . All of Europe £7.35. USA, Canada Australia & Japan £11.35. Mexico and South America £13.10 Please note adding extra CDs will increase p+p as a small packet will become a small parcel . Please make your PayPal payment with full postal address to. ianmark61@hotmail.co.uk. Please use the friends and family option and details of the full postal address. We understand that postage is expensive in this day and age – and we are always looking for options to reduce this wherever we can. We make no money on postage.
