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 January Spotlight - Overlorde
There are very few bands today that can grasp the idea of originality. Few can achieve
success on their own, without a big label or support. New Jersey's Overlorde have proved
them all wrong, going against the grain and creating a memorable metal opus that refuses
to bend and bow to the current shifting trends. Built on the fundamentals of Sabbath,
Maiden, and Rainbow, Overlorde's brand of metal entertainment sets high on the shelves of
classic traditional metal. From these building blocks and fundamentals rises a new beast
from the sea, one that sounds like no other.
Overlorde originally started in 1985 with the lineup of John "Kong" Bunucci,
Mark Edwards, and Dave Wrenn. When the group first started to play live Bunucci took over
the vocal responsibility. In 1986 Pat 'O Donnel took over as the band's new vocalist. In
1987 the group released their five track EP on Strike Force Records. Later that same year
'O Donnel and the band parted ways. A new EP was recorded in 1988, but the band eventually
disbanded and went their seperate ways.
In December, 1999 the group started to see signs of an Overlorde revival. European fans
started to circulate the '87 EP via tape, vinyl, and CD. Word got to the band that the
group still had a fan base in Europe, which eventually led to reunion talks. In July of
2000 original members John Bunucci, Mark Edwards, and Dave Wrenn reformed Overlorde,
launched a website for the group, and created a fanclub called Force Recon. The band
recruited ex-Seven Witches vocalist Bobby "Leather Lungs" Lucas into the fold,
and Overlorde were complete. The band released a demo EP later that year and played
Powermad and Classic Metal fests.
In 2004 Overlorde signed a record deal with Greece's Cult Metal Classics, which later
became part of Sonic Age Records. On December 17, 2004 "Return Of The Snow
Giant" was released. The album has received rave reviews worldwide, insuring that
this type of classic seasoned sound is still a relevant force in today's harsh music
climate. New Jersey's supreme metal militia have unleashed a sonic firestorm of epic
proportions, one that rivals everything else in sheer power and might, a record that beams
forth with the most amazing strength and muscle.
"Return Of The Snow Giant" is exactly that, a return to of the most colossal
force, a heavy metal giant that leaves nothing alive in it's wake. This is Overlorde, this
is the beginning of something truly special. With a vengeance, this group of heavy metal
scavengers have taken it upon themselves to bring the brain back to the brawn. This band
understands the key to success, they understand that it isn't strength in numbers, but
simply the ability to go against the storm, to spit in the wind and create something
completely refreshing, straying from the pack of spotlight seekers and following their own
beacon in the night. With the same tools as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Rainbow, and even
Rush, Overlorde have built their own "star castle", a monumental heavy metal
classic that will surely shine for decades to come.
Click here to read a full interview with Overlorde bassist John Bunucci.
Click here to read our review of "Return Of The Snow Giant".
Click here to hear a sample of "Snow Giant".
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