Overload – …Of Dreams And Nightmares is the kind of release that reminds you just how deep and weird the underground metal world goes. Self-released in 2002 by a Swiss band working entirely outside the label system, this CD offers a slice of melancholic heavy metal with one foot in traditional ‘80s riffage and the other in early gothic-tinged rock.

Musically, this is mid-tempo and melody-driven, leaning more into mood and vibe than technical prowess. Guitars lead the charge — heavy, clear, and often quite sharp — backed by keys that stay tastefully buried in the mix. The vocals? A bit hit-or-miss. Sometimes leaning more toward spoken-word melancholy than actual singing, there’s a Sentenced-esque gloom present that works better on some tracks than others. Still, there’s charm in the rawness, and that DIY honesty is part of what gives this album its underground appeal.

Tracks like “Out Of Time” and “Death/Stranger’s Mind” break out from the hazy atmosphere with stronger arrangements, catchy riffs, and a bit more urgency. The album’s real crown jewel is the 8-minute instrumental closer, which lets the band flex their chops and prove that, musically, they’ve got some serious chops under the hood.

Sure, it’s not a perfect record. There’s some inertia in the pacing, and the vocals won’t be for everyone — but for fans of obscure European heavy metal, gothic-tinged mood pieces, or just deep-cut CD collecting, this is a hidden little gem worth dusting off.