Wizard Rifle have one of
the best band names I've ever heard.
People ask what's in a name?
Well, when you have a name like this, it draws some attention your way. Maybe some folks give you a listen just to
hear what a band named Wizard Rifle sound like.
Then, when they hear the music, they're in. Give them a listen and you will be hooked.
Facebook profile:https://www.facebook.com/wizardrifle?ref=br_tf
The album starts off with
“Crystal Witch”. There's a bit of
atmospherics to get things going, then a tribal rhythm materializes, and when
the incantatory vocals start, you find yourself caught in the spell of this
song. Not sure if it was just the way it
worked out, or if that's the way they planned it given that “witch” is in the
song title. It's a great opening track
and gets things started in the right way.
The first track leads right into
the second, “Buzzsaw Babes”. This one
and the third track, “Paul The Sky Tyrant”, are examples of this band just
letting it rip. There is great interplay
in both of these songs between the various instruments and the vocals. These guys are heavy in the sense of a band
like Mastodon. They are not
really playing any crushing death metal, or thrash, or doom, but this isn't
anything soft and gentle either. Both of
these tracks hit you right between the eyes.
All of this leads into
“Psychodynamo”, which for me is the centerpiece of this release. The tempo slows a little compared to the
previous 3 tracks. The heaviness drops
out for a bit, and you can really hear all of the things that this band is
capable of. There is an undulating riff
that moves in and out of this track, it circles back on itself, but it never
quite does what you think its going to do, always zigs when you think it should
zag. And then the song builds and gets
really heavy and the last few minutes just crush. It's psychedelic, its got some great
stoner-ish riffs, its got just a little bit of everything. And its a great song.
The album wraps up with
“Beastwhores”, which starts out sounding like it might be a jazzy little
number. But then it steps up and hits
you hard and reminds you that Wizard Rifle do pretty much what they want to
do. They also do it very well. If you are looking for a little change of
pace in your metal, or just heavy music if you want to think of it that way,
this an excellent example of a band doing their own thing and not being so
wrapped up in it that they lose the listener.
Well worth the listen. These guys
are out on tour right now so catch them if you get the opportunity. - Chance
Pittenger
