UK doom rockers Electric Wizard return for another wave of blues infused doom rock in the form of their latest album “Wizard Bloody Wizard”, an album that gives a nice throwback to vintage guitar based psych rock from the 60’s. Cult-inspired, Black Sabbath references and a whole lot of groovy classic sounding noise are the mnain themes here and they well and truly run with it as much as possible.
While their signature doom aspects still remain, it’s more scattered sprodically through out the album rather than being the main underlying musical theme. The opening track “See You In Hell” pretty much sets the tone for the 6 track release which appears short in legnth but is actually a fully in-depth album that closes with the epic almost 12 minute “Mourning Of The Magicians” which has some scorching guitar solos to round things off. The hooks are bountiful here too, “Necromania” has a strong vintage sound with a main riff that will leave you humming the tune for weeks on end while “Hear The Sirens Scream” tips it’s hat to Iommi and co. without a hint of apology about it.
The psychedelic nature of the album continues in “The Reaper” with a more atmospheric approach, again working a more classic sound into the guts of the track. “Wicked Caresses” has a cool stoner rock vibe but adds enough of that Electric Wizard sound to make it one of the more recignisable efforts on offer. While the band have really gone for a different approach aesthetically and sonically here, there is still plenty to be familiar with if you know Electric Wizard enough. That ultimately shouldn’t matter though as the songs speak for themselves and the band relish the fact that they have created something fresh for themselves and for the listener.
As with the compact tracklist, there’s little more to be said here. There may be some division among hardcore enthusiasts who may feel the vintage sound isn’t heavy enough for them but damned if you do and damned if you don’t try and go a little outside of the box every once in a while. That being said, Electric Wizard haven’t exactly switched genres entirely, “Wizard Bloody Wizard” is still firmly within the dark side of psych and doom rock but just with a more classic vibe to it. Either way this needs to be cranked up to 10 for full effect, this is after all still Electric fucking Wizard!
TRACKLIST
See You In Hell
Necromania
Hear the Sirens Scream
The Reaper
Wicked Caresses
Mourning the Magicians
