Electric Wizard - Wizard Bloody Wizard

Wizard Bloody Wizard is what just about everyone in the doom metal community is looking forward to hearing, but already it has seen some pretty split reviews. 

Its been three years since their crusher Time To Die tore through the scene with riff after riff of stoner doom metal hurled from the deep abyss. Time To Die could have been considered the band's highest point since their string of success in the early 2000s, so it's easy to understand why many are leering at Wizard Bloody Wizard with high expectations.

Wizard Bloody Wizard is a trippy dark rock slugger, but it fades in and out at times into weary-eyed lackadaisical moments. That may be considered the intent, to create music that makes you just want to drop out. What matters are the climatic knockouts in between. If the band is on the verge of exhaustion, then wherever they're digging deep to find the fuel for that authentic Electric Wizard dirge, they do still have it.

The album embarks with an eerie introduction on "See You In Hell", and then transitions to a malevolent space truckin' jam. The song is nearly seven minutes long and carries with it all the eclectic oddities that make Electric Wizard such an inspirational and utterly peerless band.

"Necromania" follows with the primal attitude of old school rock born out of the 60s underground. The lyrical themes of Electric Wizard remain mostly the same, cryptic imagination and all, but what I like most about this new vision of Wizard's sound is it harkens to the legendary days of occultic rock outlaws. The main riff is rhythmically enchanting, a simple hook that lures you in while Liz Buckingham spins groovy spells of her own on the overlay.

"Hear The Sirens Scream" can definitely be used to measure the band's ability to lift you out of a lull. While the first half of track three can be seen as a detrimental snoozefest, it's the climactic closer that shatters the dull haze.

As I said, although there are tired moments, Wizard is still able to represent themselves as the iconic death cult reverb mystics -- only slightly aged by passing of time.

If you come to this album thinking nothing but 'I want the next Dopethrone,' then leave. Or stay and change your mind. There won't be another Dopethrone. Ever. Period. However, Wizard is still capable of pulling out dirty jams inspired by the fantastic imagery of the damned. Their last decade has been a strong point for acidic crooning rockers, much like what Wizard Bloody Wizard became, a monster of corrosive riffs and Oborn's nefarious songwriting. The organic chemistry between this recent incarnation of band members remains strong in every context.

Channeling something somewhere in the darkness, Electric Wizard can still craft monolithic tunes. The album's ominous conclusion may be its strongest track. Over 11 minutes long, "Mourning of The Magicians" is a winding tale of demise at the end of the bend.

Wizard Bloody Wizard may not be the dopest Electric Wizard album, but it's certainly worthy of their legacy. It features the incredible songwriting narrative talents of Buckingham and Oborn that have built the band up for years. It's not too monotonous or burdened by cliches. 

Souldrinker - War Is Coming

Mixing elements of classic rock with the aggressive hooks of groove metal and awesome melodies of power metal, Souldrinker offer a little bit of everything for everybody. 

The album War Is Coming is totally killer no filler from front to back. Although some of the lyrical references throughout the album may appeal to the sci-fi and fantasy fans in the metal community, War Is Coming packed some pretty serious themes, also.

This German unit certainly has some similarities to Edguy, another German band that excelled with well timed catchy groove hooks and absolutely majestic melodies. Souldrinker's female vocalist Iris Boanta has a tough yet charming style. Her raspy delivery fits in well with the tones created by guitarist Markus Pohl of Mystic Prophecy, who guides the songs along with riffs that dance elegantly between abrasive and mellow. The powerful rhythm section helps complete the band as well, with beautiful hard hitting punches that charge the band's anthems. 

The talent of producer Tom Mueller really stuck like glue to the talent of this band. Mueller was definitely instrumental in getting the right sounds together on the album to make this such a solid debut, as was mastering artist Erik Freese.

War Is Coming is a solid debut from this band, and Souldrinker offer a refreshing twist on the power metal. Well done all around.

Daxma - The Head Which Becomes The Skull

Simple and melancholic, the brutally heavy Daxma has a charming mystic appeal to their atmospheric brand of sludge. The Head Which Becomes The Skull is a monolithic banger that sits constantly on a slow burn. The Oakland outfits enchanting melodies reveal layers of aesthetic decay and unnerving rhythms. The exchanging vocals between Jessica, Kelly, and Isaac produce a beautiful dynamic of ranges and tones that befit dreamy serenades and melodramatic gothic sounds.

Although the tracks do tend to drag there are often uplifting moments and grooves that propel THWBtS forward. It isn’t really an easy listen and you may need to go through the album a few times to really feel the dimensions that are weighing on it. In this sense, I can appreciate the artistic execution. It’s not simply an art album, but a wearisome ode to the imposing definitions of mortality.