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"Let The Metal Do The Talking"
Reviewed by Marchman for Peacedogman
Rating: 4/5
The idea of power metal is so promising. There's something irresistible about bands with enchanting names, logos blazing in polished steel, songs spinning epic fantasy yarns of brutal battles, hexes, and ghastly beasts via crackling, driving riffs and
commanding musicianship. But so many countless mediocre-to-poor albums have been cast in this mold throughout the globe, many jaded metal fans would rather dry-shave their genitalia than sit through another generic power metal album. It's sad, but true. Sweden's long-running metal men OVERDRIVE made quite a splash in the 80s with notable, guitar-driven platters like 1984's "Swords and Axes", a somewhat legendary release among fans and collectors due to it's NWOBHM-sodden hooks and Shrapnel-esque prowess from guitarist Janne Stark (also of LOCOMOTIVE BREATH). After twenty or so years of dormancy, Stark and crew revived the OVERDRIVE moniker, sticking their toe in reunion waters with 2006's "Resurrected" and now plunging headlong into full-length territory with "Let the Metal Do the Talking". Thankfully, OVERDRIVE hasn't lost their touch. The sound is reminiscent of "Swords and Axes", but the guitars are beefier, riffs are hard-panned and crunchy, and vocalist Per Karlsson buries former singer Pelle Thuresson in terms of range and charisma, (recalling former Malmsteen frontman Jeff Scott Soto in spots). The disc is chock full of great riffs, memorable choruses and wild guitar antics in cuts like "Fight to the Finish", "Sinister Warfare", and "Army of Darkness". Stark demonstrates his musical dexterity with fervor, walking the fine line between virtuosity and entertainment without crossing into self-indulgence. Even the 8+ minute closer "Reincarnation" keeps the listener riveted with Schenker-esque guitar howls, strong vocal harmonies, and riffs galore. "Let The Metal Do The Talking" is a winning purchase for any fan of classic metal. Crown Sir Stark's head with a laurel; he's done it again.
"Let the metal do the talking"
Euthanatos for Global Domination
Funniest thing, this album. I was minding my own business, searching for a few old school thrash albums, when I suddenly came across Overdrive’s “Let the Metal do the Talking”. I had heard of a few bands called Overdrive in the past, but that as far as my knowledge went. But the cover was absolutely stunning and the album title, well, that kind of speaks for itself. So I decided to give it a go.Holy fucking shit in the name of all that’s sacred and blasphemous, is this good! Imagine heavy metal in its purest form, unadulterated, unabridged, unscathed… yeah. Heavy god damn metal. Insanely fun, blatantly cheesy and cool, groovy as fuck, metal as “Stained Class” and “Restless and Wild”. That’s what you get right here. The guitar work of Janne Stark and Kjell Jacobsson is tremendously enjoyable, with so much fucking taste, the riffs are traditional, yet bathed with a modern crunch, and fucking inspired. The drummer is also killer, fellow named Kenta Svensson, shame I can’t hear much of the bass. But I can certainly hear a certain Mr. Per Karlsson, vocalist fronting these troopers. Never heard of the fucker, and he seems to be the only one who wasn’t around in the 80’s, but fuck me sideways and call me Judy, these are the perfect set of lungs for this sound. Aggressive screaming, yet full of melody. There are not enough words to praise Overdrive. Fuck trying to reinvent the wheel or become the next cover of Terrorizer. This is what heavy metal is all about, it’s been a long god damn time since I’ve listened to something as sincere as this. The cover: As I’ve said, a real marvel. You can’t lay your eyes on it and not go “wow”. I haven’t seen something this cool in a while.
8 bands with the same name out of 10.
"Let The Metal Do The Talking"
Reviewed by : Martin Popoff for Brave Words
Rating : 8.0 of 10.0
“Is it too early for the top album of the year?” I mumbled as I slapped the silver into the… computer. I knew it would rule, and it does, but alas, it’s not likely album of the year. Overdrive are the godly domain of Janne Stark going back to the mid-‘80s. Janne has since distinguished himself with Locomotive Breath, one of the great unsung band’s of the last decade. Here, well, it’s four of the original guys, but a new vocalist, which is always the worst guy to have to replace in a reunion. The result is still a damn good ruff ‘n’ ready ‘n’ rootsy power metal album with nods to Overdrive and their axis of Axewitch and Torch and Heavy Load and the debut album from Europe. But the production is too clean, the songs a bit too fast and intricate, the whole thing, a little synthetic and spiffy. Composition-wise, it’s the band’s first album since ’84 and actually, half the songs were written in ’85 – makes no difference because the whole concept pours toward classic Swedish metal, succeeding for the most part, Stark being a kingly riff-maker with a stadium rock chin up, chest out.
"Let The Metal Do The Talking"
Reviewed by : Thorsten Dietrich for My Revelations
Rating : 9 of 15
Irgendwie habe ich das Gefühl, dass seit Jahren längst verblichene Combos aus allen Löchern bzw. Altersheimen kriechen um noch mal Bühnenluft zu schnuppern! So auch die Metalband Overdrive aus Schweden, von denen ich locker behaupten kann noch nie gehört zu haben. Das ist auch keine Kunst, da die Band sich nach einem Mini Album und zwei LPs 1984 (!) aufgelöst hat. Grund war der Weggang des Sängers. 1997 gab es noch mal eine Reunion auf dem "Sweden Rock Festival" und 2003 die richtige Vereinigung. Doch kurze Zeit suchte Sänger Pelle Thuresson wieder das weite und wurde dann endgültig durch den rauen und hoch singenden Per Karlsson ersetzt. Es dauerte weitere fünf Jahre und nun 24 Jahre nach der Auflösung von Overdrive gibt es das dritte Album "Let The Metal Do The Talking". Ein Titel der recht prollig ist und auch irgendwie cool wenn man bedenkt wie lange die Herren weg waren. "Back From Retirement" wäre wohl auch ein passender Titel gewesen.... Musikalisch bieten die Schweden "old school" Metal mit ebensolcher aber ordentlichen Produktion. Leicht altbacken, sympathisch, aber auch nicht besonders spannend. Man musiziert auf gleich bleibendem Niveau im Geiste der 80er. Das wird Puristen verzücken und mich lässt es nur zucken und zwar mit den Achseln. Das bedeutet: Ganz nett, aber in keiner Weise weltbewegend oder gar spannend. Der nette Retro Happen für zwischendurch. Also Kutte an, in die Spandex hüpfen und diese CD kaufen!
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