Swords and Axes

Wow…it took me years to catch up with this now-hailed piece of Eurometal history, but I’m damn glad I did. I heard one cut from it years ago on a compilation (Banzai Axe), but otherwise set them aside in my memory. Swedish traditional stuff of the very highest order, Overdrive delivered a debut full-length album that is among the best things to emerge from their fine nation. While there’s hints of influence abounding, none of them are brazenly apparent (kind of like Mercyful Fate and their catty absorption of ideas), leaving this band sounding damn original within iron-forged Eurometal paradigms.

First cut “Dream Away” does recall the towering tones of countrymen 220 Volt in its darkly melodic, yet unique structure, whilst “Black Revenge” offers meaner, more surly riffs and demeanor. Singer Pelle Thuresson manages a fine performance that’s nice and mid-ranged, avoiding the kind of ludicrous shrieks one usually must bear when hearing European metal of this era. But the real story, as mentioned before, is the dedication and skill to which these players apply themselves. Just dig “Mission Of Destruction” with its bouncy, complex sections and depressive chorus, or the whole morose mass of “Ode To Juliet”. I can’t think of any other bands that really write songs in this vein, and damn good songs to boot. The ghost of elder Priest and Maiden is watching, but a shade all this band’s own is their prime zeitgeist.

Shame that material this original and craftily-crafted went so largely unsung in its day. There is other stuff by this band, but it’s largely ignorable, this being their sole prime moment of genius.