SQUAD MEMBERS

(All pictures shown are pre- Reunion 2000 except Chris Colfax and listed in order of membership)

JOHN "KONG" BUNUCCI

Bass and Backing/Lead Vocals

John formed OVERLORDE with Mark after having been with his band FINAL PLEA. Utilizing the then newly released Steinberger bass (pictured), John's raw and aggressive style of play was perfect for a metal band situation with one guitarist. His bass interaction with the drums keeps the sound full even when Mark is soloing (listen to the EP- In most songs, there aren't any rhythm guitar parts under the guitar solos on the studio tracks, and of course there is no rhythm guitar on the live tracks).

John contributes as a song writer also, both musically and lyrically. Often his lyrics deal with modern day political themes or post-apocalyptic themes. He also handled the Lead Vocal duties until Pat O'Donnell joined in early 1986.

One look at John's picture and you'll know how he got his nickname "Kong". And his bass playing is as powerful as the nickname implies. POWERLINE recognized this when it reviewed the EP, mentioning the  "...EXCELLENT dominant bass throughout courtesy of John "Kong" Bunucci."

INFLUENCES: Steve Harris, Geddy Lee, Geezer Butler

MARK "M.E." EDWARDS

Flying V (guitar) and Backing vocals

Mark formed OVERLORDE with John after having played in his original/cover metal band PARTHENON.  Using his trademark white Gibson Flying-V guitar and  a unique approach to soloing, he and John helped establish from day one that the Overlorde sound would be different from anything else. When reviewing the EP, DAILY VARIETY noted "...the blazingly fast lead guitar solos." and the EAST COAST ROCKER wrote "... Edwards quickly displays his six-sting wizardry."

Having had formal training, he was also a member of his High School (Scotch Plains-Fanwood) and College (Old Dominion University) Jazz bands.

Mark contributes as a song writer also, both musically and lyrically. Often his lyrics follow medieval / fantasy themes and history.

INFLUENCES: Randy Rhoads, Ritchie Blackmore, Gary Moore, Michael Schenker, Wolf Hoffmann, Uli Roth

Read more about M.E. at www.meflyingv.com

DAVE WRENN

Drums and Backing vocals

Dave auditioned for Overlorde and was asked to join in the first half of 1985. However, he initially passed on the offer. The band took on a different  drummer who didn't work out. Dave was contacted again, and accepted the offer this time. He was on stage with Mark and John when the band performed for the first time in November 1985.

Any drummer working with John's style of bass playing finds his work really cut out for him. Dave more than met the challenge, and the two became a tight rhythm unit. A review of the EP by the EAST COAST ROCKER noted the "....rhythmic tandum of Bunucci and Wrenn."

Dave contributes as a songwriter musically. His parent's basement was often where the band practiced (along with Earthquake Studios in Scotch Plains), which contributed greatly to the progress of the band.

INFLUENCES: Steve Smith, Peter Criss, Neil Peart, Alex Van Halen

Read more about Dave. at www.davewrenn.com

PAT O'DONNELL

Lead Vocals (1986-1987)

Pat was recommended to the band by members of the band TROX. Trox had shared the bill with Overlorde one night, and recommended Pat since he had once been TROX's singer.

Pat's style was different from most metal singers at the time, and thus added again to the unique sound that was Overlorde. His songwriting contributions were mainly on the lyric side, and often dealt with medieval / fantasy themes (like Mark's lyrics) or drew inspiration from classic works by Edgar Allen Poe and H.G. Wells.

Pat appears on the Overlorde EP , but parted ways with the band in late 1987.

ROD TYLER LOIZA

Lead Vocals (1988)

Rod was asked to join the band after auditioning in 1988. His vocal style and sound was a mix between Tommy Shaw (Styx) and Michael Sweet (Stryper). Vocally, he was taking Overlorde to a new level.

A new demo was started but not fully completed before the band de-activated in late 1988. A MP3 of MADNESS (AN HONORABLE LIFESTYLE), from the unfinished demo with Rod, is available to FORCE RECON members (see the MP3 or FORCE RECON page).

BOBBY "LEATHER LUNGS" LUCAS

Lead Vocals (2000 - 2007)

Yes, the one and only "Leather Lungs". Former vocalist for Massacre Records recording artists SEVEN WITCHES. Bobby appeared on the first two Seven Witches releases.

In Bobby, the band has found the perfect singer for Overlorde. The singer the band had always envisioned.

Bobby joined the band on September 26th, 2000, to complete the Reunion 2000 lineup. He is featured on the OVERLORDE 2000 demo.

While reviewing OVERLORDE 2000, Christian Plötz of ETERNITY and INTO THE PIT fanzines,  called Bobby "A lead vocalist whose voice would make Bruce Dickinson bow down in humblest devotion."

The lyrics Bobby has written in Overlorde draw from fantasy, horror, and mythological themes.

INFLUENCES: Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Ronnie James Dio

Read the announcement about Bobby joining the band here.

Bobby parted ways with the band in 2007.

CHRIS COLFAX

Lead Vocals (2007- Present)

Chris joined the band in June 2007, filling in for the recently departing Bobby Lucas for the band's set at BROOKLYN METALFEST II. He joined the band shortly thereafter and began writing with the band for their second CD. Chris brings a more aggressive Dickinson vocal style to the band.

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