Overdrive - Angelmaker

After the first run through of Overdrive's latest reunion album I'm impressed. The truth be told when the second and third play were final I knew I liked this album a lot. The power metal is bright, aggressive and well written. At times the band sound like Skid Row but never as much of a glam edge that the Skid's seem to always have. This band finds more in common with the Grim Reaper and Saxon clans but never to the cheesy roll your eyes moments that both of those bands can create consistently. When Overdrive nails it to the wall the band reminds me greatly of Helloween which is just dandy in my world.

Songs like "Signs All Over", "In Gut We Trust" and "See the Light" prove that metal can be both heavy and melodic (without pursing hardcore or death vocals). Given the epic quality of "Mother Earth" and the closer, the Iron Maiden-like "The Wavebreaker" Overdrive shows both their intensity and talent for solid metal. Overdrive’s brand of metal is refreshingly un-contrived. The band steers clear of banal chant-along choruses and doesn’t rely on triggered bass drums to create an impression of heaviness or urgency.

Ultimately, if you dig the modern renaissance of classic melodic heavy metal, Overdrive's Angelmaker is both authentic and entertaining. They deliver finely crafted songs that rely on strong melodies, powerful riffing and spot on leads. This album will take you back in time without even trying to be retro. I sense this album has huge replay value for me, and I feel it deserves the maximum rating as well. 2011 has got its first excellent heavy metal release.