Merlin - The Wizard

Merlin’s The Wizard is a fun and exotic album that stretches the idea of doom metal. The introduction of saxophone expands the capabilities of this storied genre to a whole new dimension. This is the brilliant kind of craftsmanship that makes an album stand out for its daring creativity. From the opener, you’ll notice that this is a band which is going to do things differently and do them well.

After you notice the groovy sax on the first track “Abyss”, you may notice the fluid interwoven follow up with the album’s next track “Gravelord.” The Wizard is a conceptual album that tells a tale and each track is intentionally set up so that you listen to this whole release sequentially. With that being said, “Gravelord” also shows what this band is capable in terms of writing awesome lyrics and catchy rhythms. The song has spellbinding melodies and an otherworldly guitar solo. The saxophone gets jazzier on “Sage’s Crystal Staff”, a shorter track but certainly a powerful addition for its incredibly hypnotic sax solos. It is backed up by the heavy foreboding song “Golem.”

The tempo is traditionally slow with synths and organs to that help to establish a thick psychedelic and at times funeral ambiance. When the sax and guitars work in tandem such as on “Iron Borne”, the band is going to a place no other band has touched in my recollection.

The grooves on The Wizard are so freaking amazing and spontaneous. What an ass kicking and unforgettable thrill ride. You’ll be relieved to know the album is only about 39 minutes long, a perfect cut out time to avoid fizzling out. Fans of anime may consider this the Cowboy Bebop of high fantasy. Drop the stellar crew in a Dungeons & Dragons setting, and this is the album you will get. At least I’m certainly drifting off into space sitting here listening to this. Merlin, please don’t let me come back down.

Album released: January 26th 2018
 

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.