Overlorde is a four piece power metal outfit from New Jersey that was originally formed in 1987. It's current line up consists of John "Kong" Bunucci on bass & backing vocals, Mark "M.E." Edwards on flying V guitar & backing vocals, Dave Wrenn on drums & backing vocals and Bobby "Leather Lungs" Lucas (Seven Witches) on lead & backing vocals. Overlorde's discography includes an ep, a few demo releases and a some appearences on a number of compilation albums. This pattern of recordings is most likely due to a few vocalist changes over the years and an early disbandment, which was to be followed by the pursuit of other band projects in the interim and a reformation which has led to their "Overlorde 2000" demo to date. Some of their influences are the Scorpions, Accept and Queensryche.

I first learned about Overlorde when listening to my friend's on line webcast metal show "Audio Agression". I only heard about 30 seconds of a song until my Winamp player got stuck due to internet congestion. That was enough to get my interest and a copy of the bands 2000 demo thanks to guitarist Mark (M.E.) Edwards.

The "Overlorde 2000" demo is only four songs. I feel cheated because the music is so good that it leaves me wanting more. The addition of new vocalist Bobby "Leather Lungs" Lucas gives Overlorde a wide a range of octaves in the singing department. He reminds me of a mutt mix between John Gallagher (Raven), Rob Halford, Ray Alder (Fates Warning) and Geoff Tate (Queensryche). The music is very NWOBHM influenced in my opinion, the likes of older Raven, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. The songs are fast, upbeat and in your face with a one two punch to the gut.. The production for this self financed demo is above average, though I feel the guitars are a bit over powered by the vocals and drums. This demo should lead Overlorde to bigger and better things. I hope that they are working on a full length release since they are a band much over looked. Watch out for their killer cover of Queensryche's "Queen of the Reich", slated to open the CD Tribute compilation "Warning: Minds of Raging Empires II-A Tribute to Queensryche", due to be released sometime this year.

If this review has you interested than check out the bands website for more info.