Overdriver

Album review

Nicke Andersson is a multi-talented musician whose success commands respect. As the drummer for Entombed, he essentially created death’n’roll in the ’90s before moving to garage rock with The Hellacopters, where he took on the guitar and vocals. Never one to remain idle, he also joined Lucifer in 2017. While The Hellacopters took a long break between 2008 and 2016, their return with Eyes of Oblivion in 2022 reassured fans that the band could still deliver pure firestorms of high-energy rock’n’roll. But simply repeating the same formula would have been too easy. Overdriver breathes new life into the Swedish band’s career without ever betraying their raw, unfiltered essence.

Produced by Andersson, the album at times sets aside some of the wilder garage influences of their previous releases (think of MC5-esque force) to focus more on melody and previously unexplored harmonies within their repertoire. This shift does nothing to diminish the band’s energy or the power of their riffs. Overdriver is a true gem, and strikes the perfect balance between all these elements. The classic rock feel of “Soldier On" complements the dynamism of “Faraway Looks”, while the keyboards on “Leave a Mark” maintain the vintage spirit running through the album.

Overdriver is pure Hellacopters, but with just the right touch to reach a broader audience without having to compromise their authenticity or succumb to overly sweetened melodies. Yet again, one of the most genuine bands in rock has managed to make their music feel fluid. No gimmicks or glossy polish to mess with the impact. It’s rock’n’roll, effortless and unpolished—just as it should be! © Guillaume Ley/Qobuz