Wizzerd Premiere “Wizard” from Wizzerd LP out June 7
Posted in audiObelisk, Whathaveyou on March 13th, 2019 by JJ Koczan
Montana-based five-piece Wizzerd have signed to Cursed Tongue Records and will release their self-titled debut album as a 2LP through the label on June 7. With it, the band invite the listener into a world of swords, sorcery and riffs, lumbering out grooves amid a mystical tale of a kingdom usurped a quest for four heroes — plus an observer spirit, who seems also to play keyboard — to restore the rightful heir to the throne. You know, real-world stuff. Something everyone can relate to. Because who among us has not battled a plague-wielding summoner bent on stealing souls in order to gain material power?
All capitalist allegory aside — or at least most of it — the long-player comprises a dudely nine tracks and preorders through Cursed Tongue open April 5. Whether or not you’re down with the fantasy vibes — and if not, why not? — the riffs and burl and the classic-style stoner metal shuffle of “Dragon” or the driving “Phoenix” and the thickened roll of “King of Esbat” have an appeal even out of context, with groove and tonal largesse given priority as the foundation on which the narrative plays out. By the time they get down to the organ intro on the penultimate “Wraith” and the growling vocals and massive wall-o’-fuzz that accompanies, their intent toward the epic is well laid bare, and they wrap “Wizzerd” with enough of a noise wash to make one think immediately there’s a sequel in the works. Everyone knows fantasy literature is a long-term project. Look at The Wheel of Time.
At the bottom of this post, under the considerable signing announcement, band info and album narrative, you’ll find the premiere of “Wizard” taken from the end of side C of the double-vinyl. Please dig in, and please enjoy:
WIZZERD SIGNS TO CURSED TONGUE RECORDS FOR A WORLD WIDE VINYL RELEASE OF THEIR SELF TITLED NEW ALBUM SET FOR JUNE 7TH, 2019.
Cursed Tongue Records is beyond happy to announce the signing of Wizzerd (Kalispell, MT) for a vinyl release of their self-titled new album on June 7th, 2019 with pre-orders coming April 5th.
Ever since laying ears on Wizzerd’s debut album ‘Doomchild’ back in 2016 (CD/digital) and immediately being swept away by the Wizzerd’s entrancing hymns, it’s been evident that this is a band that’s bound to go places. The Doomchild debut was a very strong first effort and excelled with its mesmerizing psyched-out doom, nice clean vocals and riffs aplenty that made it a most memorable trip worth taking. Even more so, the debut brought forth a promise from the Wizzerd of something big lurking just after the next bend. It was almost as if an untold forewarning of grandiose and epic tales of wizardry just laid slumbering, ready to be awoken.
With this new self-titled concept album, the Wizzerd has indeed unraveled his tale and the future foresights have been fulfilled as ‘Wizzerd’ sees the band grow and expand in every dimension – in time, in depth, in variation, in inspiration and in musicality. ‘Wizzerd’ showcases a band eager to impress but also longing to tell a story and to play their cloaks off and we be all doomed if that’s not exactly what this quintet is doing – and it’s for all of us stoner and doom heads to enjoy!
Wizzerd has spent a considerable amount of time on the road, playing live shows with the result of strengthening the bond between these road warriors. The experience picked up on the road by the band was brought to the fore in the studio creating what we, at Cursed Tongue Records, see as one of the most inspired and interesting “stoner doom” records of 2019. The new Wizzerd album is far from the scene’s typical dull-nodding-doom-plodding generic and mind-numbing slumber excursions – instead the heroes has decided to throw at us a unique take on heavy metal drawing from influences varying from classic heavy metal over folk music to sludge-incrusted doom. You can sometimes hear influences going from Coheed & Cambria and Thin Lizzy to Sleep and Judas Priest. Yes, it’s a far stretch to comprehend but believe us when we say they made the impossible possible.
‘Wizzerd’ is an album that, despite drawing from such a vast array of influences, manage to appear focused, coherent and well proportioned. So look out for the digital album release on March 29th and become enlightened with a conceptual metal album for new-thinkers of doom that when 2019 draws up its final breaths will stand towering high above the current year’s heavy underground releases. This is a top-of-the-mountain release and Cursed Tongue Records is honored to stand on the peak together with the Wizzerd.
Cursed Tongue Records is inclined to give ‘Wizzerd’ the full red carpet (cloak?) treatment, so expect the usual high quality premium heavy weight colored vinyl, gatefold cover, double sided insert, poster, patch, stickers and even A VINYL EXCLUSIVE TRACK – yes, you got that right! The vinyl edition will feature an exclusive song, Druggernaut, that won’t be available elsewhere – and judging by its sheer Sleep-like monolithic nature (and a run-time of 14+ mins) – it’s a track not to be missed. So sit tight as the label unfolds the vinyl pre-orders on April 5, 2019.
The Wizzerd hath spoken!
**BAND BIO**
From deep within the mountains of Montana, in the earthly perish of October in the year 2014, four souls imbued with Sabbathian riffcasting found their ultimate purpose, and thus Wizzerd was born. Soon after, a fifth soul joined in the excursion, completing the vessel of the Doom. These souls crafted their first work through countless hours of basement toils – Doomchild. They began to spread the Doom throughout the land, venturing far beyond their mountainous lair. Now, in this New Year, new magic’s have been conjured, and shall be revealed to the world population, in the form of their self-titled work. Prepare, for one cannot escape the Doom…
**ALBUM NARRATIVE**
A mysterious figure has usurped the throne of the Great King… the lands are in turmoil and people are dying. A plague has spread across the lands, from ocean to ocean… but there is still hope!
Four Heroes, accompanied by an immortal spirit, are on a journey to kill the usurper, end the plague, and save the land. They come from the four corners of Great Gaia’s green world:
The Dragon, a fearsome rogue, a legend of his time, he slayed the Grand elder Dragon of the Great Desert bringing a permanent end to the age of fire.
The Warrior, his family was killed in the first siege of the Doomed. Mortally wounded, he dragged himself into the magickal ancient Forest where he was blessed by the Dryad of the Elder Wood to become the protector of the natural world.
The Wizard, an elderly Wiseman, a reclusive intellectual known by no name, who wields the power to bend reality. He has witnessed mountains crumble, and Oceans dry. He has seen the Apprentice become the Adversary
The Phoenix, an undying madman, his origin and purpose shrouded in mystery. He has dwelled where the mountain tops meet the moon, and flown to where the sea meets the Sky.
The Wraith, an aeons-old inter-dimensional immortal spirit, whose purpose is to bring about and maintain balance between all realities. He resides within the Æther, observing all of times most crucial events.
The Wizzerd, the evil ruler who has usurped the throne from its rightful king. He is the mastermind behind the devastating plague known as “The Doom.” His lust for power, driven by Kæos, has lead him to use his powerful crystal talisman to rob the people of the world of their souls, giving him magickal power beyond comprehension.
Will our heroes bring balance to their world, or will they perish at the hand of the Wizzerd?
So my dear fellow doom heads, it’s time to stand tall and join ranks in the vinyl coven with your equal brethren of the cursed tongue crusade while preparing for battle as the label will unleash thee vinyl pre-order come April 5th.
CTR-420 WIZZERD – ‘WIZZERD’, vinyl official release date: June 7th 2019. (Digital release Mach 29th)
Wizzerd is:
(Jhalen Salazar) Dragon – Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Violin, Voice
(Layne Matkovich) Warrior – Bass Guitar, Cello, Voice
(Jamie Yeats) Wizard – Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Mandolin, Voice
(Samael Moore) Phoenix – Drumset, Percussion, Voice
(Wayne Randall) Wraith – Sythesizer, Organ, Voice, Audiomancy
Guests:
Colton Christensen – Vocals on Dragon
Heathen – Vocals on Dragon
David Graham – Vocals on Warrior
Doug, Grob, Riley, Rachel, Kaitlynn – Army of the Doomed
All music & lyrics by Wizzerd
Recorded and Mixed by Wayne Randall and Wizzerd at Black Magick Studios in Kalispell, Montana
Mastered by Tony Reed at HeavyHead Recording in Port Orchard, Washington
Album cover by Burning Moon
Layout & Design (for vinyl) by Michael Andresakis
Track listing
Side A
1. Druggernaut 14:20 (VINYL ONLY TRACK)
Side B
1. Great Mother Gaia 5:58
2. King Of Esbat 6:02
3. The Doomed 4:51
Side C
1. Dragon 8:21
2. Warrior 5:11
3. Wizard 4:50
Side D
1. Phoenix 3:50
2. Wraith 6:34
3. Wizzerd 5:44
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