Wizzerd Kronia Archives

Wizzerd Premiere Video for New Single “HEL”; Announce Two Albums Coming Soon

Posted in Bootleg Theater on May 13th, 2024 by JJ Koczan

Montana heavy rockers Wizzerd have newly announced not one, but a cycle of two full-lengths to be released in 2024 through Fuzzorama Records. The cover for the first of them, titled Kronia, was posted to their social media a couple days ago. Kronia and its yet-untitled counterpart are pieces of a whole work that’s being called Solstice, and the shenanigans-loaded video premiering below brings “HEL” as the latest single (in a series thus far of four; check Spotify) to coincide with the announcement.

Everybody caught up? Sweet. The band made their Fuzzorama label debut with 2022’s Space‽: Issue No. 001 (review here), and an earlier version of “HEL” appeared on that album’s precursor 7″, Space‽: Issue No. 000, which was released in 2021. Those who dug on it then, or who got down with the punkier side of the record that came after will likely find little to argue with in “HEL,” which is somewhat rawer in the presentation here, but suited to that with its gang-shout chorus and relatively uptempo swing, somewhere between classic boogie and barroom rock and roll, still with punk down at its roots and still catchy as hell. A mix by Ben McLeod (also guitarist for All Them Witches) helps make sense of the shove, and the master from Mikey Allred (who’s always up to something cool; seriously, just look up anything he puts his name to and you’re not likely to go wrong) gives a finish that one hopes is indicative of the whole album(s)’s sound.

And as for the video? Well, given all the snow, I’ll just assume they made it over the winter. They’re channeling the rich, violent history of Norwegian black metal with “HEL,” and a little bit giving it the LOL-ready, VHS-grainy sendup that it, like anything else that ever has taken itself so seriously, arguably earned. Spatter on snow. The woods. A sword. You get the idea. I don’t have a release date for Kronia yet, but I think preorders are starting… now?… so it can’t be too terribly far off, and hopefully they’re able to get the companion long-player to fruition before the end of the year. As it was all recorded in 2022, you might say a few crucial steps are already taken care of.

There are live dates below as well for June and July, as well as the already-nailed-down support slot for Mars Red Sky on the French heavy psych proggers’ return to the States tour in September. Wizzerd may or may not have more to come later this year in that regard too, but they were out on the West Coast in March and April, so it’s not like they’re neglecting it or anything. Two records seems like a fitting occasion to get back out, so they probably will, barring disaster.

Speaking of disasters, the clip for “HEL” is a delightful one. Please enjoy:

Wizzerd, “HEL” video premiere

PREORDERS:

EU STORE:
https://eu.fuzzoramastore.com/en/wizzerd.html

US STORE:
https://us.fuzzoramastore.com/en/bands/wizzerd/

BANDCAMP:
https://fuzzoramarecords1.bandcamp.com/album/wizzerd-kronia

DIGITALLY “HEL” single:
https://songwhip.com/wizzerd/hel

We are very excited to reveal the full artwork for our next album, ‘Kronia’, made by the amazingly talented @impillustration! If you’ve been following our recent single releases you will notice some details here…

‘Kronia’ will be the first of two albums released through @fuzzoramarecords in 2024 as a part of a year spanning project titled ‘Solstice’. More info on LP/CD preorders coming very soon!

‘Solstice’ is a project we have been working on for just over two years now. The albums are a culmination of many different styles and showcase wide input from all members’ out-reaching musical ideas.

All tracks were recorded direct to 1” tape at @dblwidestudio in Visalia, CA by @skitchpatterson in March 2022.

All tracks mixed by @benmcleod88 at @brmsound and mastered by Mikey Allred @darkartaudio.

We can’t wait to share the rest with you…

Wizzerd live:
6/2 – Missoula, MT – @zootownarts w/ @whoresband @greasecultband @the_foilies
6/28 – Whitefish, MT – @theremingtonbar
7/13 – Rexford, MT – @abayancebay w/ @blisteredearthtribute
7/20 – Libby, MT – Montvana w/ @yearofthecobra @kadabra_band
9/7 – Rapid City, SD – Fairgrounds w/ @marsredsky @howlinggiant @continuumrc

Wizzerd is:
Guitar/Vocals – Jhalen Salazar
Guitar – Jamie Yeats
Drums – Sam Moore
Bass – Layne Matkovich