1. American heavy metal band … Read Full Bio ↴Various bands with the name Overlorde:
1. American heavy metal band from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Formed in 1985 and were originally active until 1988. The band has reformed as of 2000.
2. Heavy Metal band from Fayetteville, North Carolina, US. Changed name to Overlord SR in 2015.
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1. OVERLORDE was formed in 1985 by John "Kong" Bunucci (Bass / & Lead Vocals) and Mark "M.E." Edwards (Guitar & Backing Vocals). Dave Wrenn (Drums & Backing Vocals) joined shortly thereafter, and this "power metal" band played its first show at the SHOWPLACE in Dover, NJ that November.
At this time in central New Jersey, the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) was reaching a peak with bands such as IRON MAIDEN, SAXON , and DEF LEPPARD continuing their invasion from Britain. These and other bands, such as Germany's SCORPIONS, ACCEPT , and America's QUEENSRYCHE heavily influenced OVERLORDE. Additionally, the Old Bridge Metal Militia (local New Jersey metal fans) was thriving, Megaforce Records/ Rock and Roll Heaven had moved from their Route -1 Flea Market Store and Seton Hall's WSOU-FM was about to switch to an all-metal format that would have a major impact on the popularity of metal. METALLICA, one of Megaforce Record's first artists, was about to release Master of Puppets, so the form of "thrash metal" they made so popular was really just beginning.
The band concentrated on originals from the start, with John handling the Lead Vocals along with Bass guitar. The band was joined by vocalist Pat O'Donnell in early 1986, who then took over the Lead Vocal role from John. The pace of live shows continued with the band playing in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Venues included the STONE PONY, PARK VILLA II, ONSTAGE, BILLY O'S, ZAFFY'S, STREETS, SPOTSWOOD LAKE, the DIRT CLUB, the HIGH TIDE CAFE, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, and the SHOWPLACE.
OVERLORDE recorded and released a 5 -song vinyl EP in 1987 on their own label, STRIKE ZONE RECORDS. Recorded at Fox Studios in East Rutherford, NJ (the same studio where HADES recorded its first album), the EP borrowed QUEEN's concept from their Queen II album. It featured a SIDE BLACK and SIDE WHITE. Three studio songs were on SIDE BLACK : Snow Giant, The Masque of the Red Death (based on the Edgar Allen Poe story), and Overlorde. SIDE WHITE included two live cuts, The Longest Day (based on the Cornelius Ryan novel about D-Day) and Time Machine (based on the novel by H.G. Wells). Note: All songs copyright 1985/86/87
The EP received praise overall in publications like VARIETY, KERRANG!!!, METAL RENDEZVOUS, POWERLINE, the AQUARIAN, and the EAST COAST ROCKER, and received airplay on metal radio such as WSOU and WDHA . However, Pat and the band parted ways around the end of 1987, and Rod Tyler Loiza took over the vocal duties in 1988.
A new demo was begun, and members of the band attended the 1988 CMJ convention in NYC. While at the event, OVERLORDE was interviewed for West German TV. But the group disbanded late that year after only a few shows with Rod and before the demo could be fully completed.
The 1990's saw each of the original members continue music in one form or another. John reformed his previous band FINAL PLEA, and was involved with other local projects. Mark formed BREAKER M.E. , then went the solo instrumental route up until he developed his voice to the point of singing lead. Dave went on to various original and cover bands including PERSIA and ICHABOD CRANE. John, Mark, and Dave remained in touch, and both John and Dave have worked with Mark on musical projects in one form or another.
OVERLORDE experienced a revival of sorts in Europe, specifically in Greece and Germany. This was brought to the band's attention in December 1999. The EP appeared on collector "want lists", and the band was contacted about releasing more material. While some confusion existed with similarly named bands, this OVERLORDE acquired the U.S. trademark and it was clear that the demand was for the EP released on Strike Zone Records.
M.E., Kong, and Dave (the original three founding members) met in February 2000 to discuss a possible reunion. It was decided to launch www.overlorde.com and start FORCE RECON (a metal community/fan club) to see if there was interest in an Overlorde reunion.
There certainly was, so the band reunited in July 2000. After recruiting former SEVEN WITCHES vocalist Bobby "Leather Lungs" Lucas, they recorded and released the album "Return of the Snow Giant" in 2004. It received great reviews in magazines and websistes from all over the world. In the summer of 2015, Germany's DEAF FOREVER magazine named it one of its "Top 100 U.S. Metal Albums of all time".
As of March 2017, the band had some member changes and now consists of:
Mark "M.E." Edwards - Guitar
John "Kong" Bunucci - Bass
George Janeira - Drums
George Tsalikis - Vocals
Ogre Wizard
Overlorde Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And within the Wizard and his Ogres plan their wicked chores
In the town the people hide to save their meager, little lives
For they fear the mighty Wizard and his Ogres rough and dry
Run, oh run, you little people The Wizard's band arrive
Run, oh run, you little people The Ogres do arrive
But not unlike the bird that flew
You can do it, you can try
Or the Wizard says you die"
Down the pass from mountain high through the forest, battle cries
Ogres, Ogres everywhere the stench of war hangs in the air
The people flee, the children hide none to stand, to fight, to die
The Wizard's strength is much indeed, the people know his word to heed.
Run, oh run, you little people The Wizard's band arrive
Run, oh run, you little people The Ogres do arrive
"There is little you can do
But not unlike the bird that flew
You can do it, you can try
Or the Wizard says you die"
[Guitar solo]
Down the pass from mountain high through the forest, battle cries
Ogres, Ogres everywhere the stench of war hangs in the air
The people flee, the children hide none to stand, to fight, to die
The Wizard's strength is much indeed, the people know his word to heed.
Run, oh run, you little people The Wizard's band arrive
Run, oh run, you little people The Ogres do arrive
The lyrics of "Ogre Wizard" by Overlorde tells the story of a forest with a castle in it, where an evil Wizard and his Ogres plan their wickedness. The people in the town, who are aware of the Wizard's power, are fearful of his arrival and hide to save themselves. The Wizard and his Ogres finally arrive, forcing the townspeople to run and hide. The ominous and menacing atmosphere is conveyed well in the song's lyrics.
The lyrics display a sense of desperation and helplessness among the people, who are outnumbered and overpowered in front of the Wizard and the Ogres. The line, "There is little you can do, but not unlike the bird that flew, you can do it, you can try or the Wizard says you die" emphasizes how powerless and restricted the people of the town are in the face of the Wizard and his Ogres.
Throughout the song, the Wizard and his Ogres are portrayed as unbeatable entities, further emphasizing the darkness and gloomy atmosphere. The song highlights an important theme of the consequences of recklessness and evil, where people suffer and live in fear because of those in power.
Line by Line Meaning
In a forest dark and dreary stands a castle of brick and stone
Amid a dismal and gloomy forest, there is a fortress built with brick and stone
And within the Wizard and his Ogres plan their wicked chores
The Wizard and his group of Ogres scheme and plot their malevolent tasks within the walls of the castle
In the town the people hide to save their meager, little lives
The commoners of the nearby town conceal themselves to protect their modest and insignificant lives
For they fear the mighty Wizard and his Ogres rough and dry
They are frightened of the formidable Wizard and his unrefined and harsh Ogres
Run, oh run, you little people The Wizard's band arrive
The group of townspeople should quickly escape as the Wizard's followers approach
There is little you can do But not unlike the bird that flew
Although there are limited options available, you still have the ability to attempt to avoid danger
You can do it, you can try Or the Wizard says you die
You have the choice to attempt to survive or else face certain death, as dictated by the Wizard
Down the pass from mountain high through the forest, battle cries
Through a high mountain pass and among the trees, sounds of war erupt
Ogres, Ogres everywhere the stench of war hangs in the air
Ogres are prevalent everywhere, and the scent of warfare permeates the atmosphere
The people flee, the children hide none to stand, to fight, to die
The citizens evacuate, the young ones conceal themselves, and no one remains to face the threat, to battle, or to perish
The Wizard's strength is much indeed, the people know his word to heed
The Wizard's power is significant, and the populace is aware to heed his commands
Run, oh run, you little people The Wizard's band arrive
The group of townspeople should quickly escape as the Wizard's followers approach
Contributed by Gianna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Deston Lee
I read those lyrics and was like "Did he really sing "ENJOY!" at the end of the song?!?" and i was hoping so hard cause that would have made this solidly weird HM ditty fully amazing. but no, it was just pretty awesome. I wish they said "ENJOY!" at the end. dammit.
Overlorde
@Deston Lee thank you very much! Here is the link to the full album and of course you are welcome to visit overlorde.com. Listen, follow sign up for the email list, etc. New album coming soon. Thanks again!
https://youtu.be/klvDl1Bd574
Deston Lee
@Overlorde indeed, that is how I got here, and it were a pleasure.
Overlorde
LOL! And thanks! Hey, did you discover the song because of the Metal Hammer feature listing metal songs about wizards?
RagnarsChannel
Chah!!!