Album
Type: Full Length
Date
Released: 29/9/2014
Label: Spinefarm Records
“Time to Die”
CD/DD/LP track list:
1). Incense for the Damned (10:42)
2). Time to die (07:47)
3). I am nothing (11:31)
4). Destroy those who love God (03:13)
5). Funeral of the Mind (07:09)
6). We love the Dead (09:05)
7). SadioWitch (04:08)
8). Lucifer’s Slaves (08:40)
9). Saturn Dethroned (03:08)
The Band:
Jus Oborn | Vocals, guitars
Liz Buckingham | Guitars
Mark Greening | Drums, Percussion
Clayton Burgess | Bass
Review:
Electric
Wizard are one of the biggest bands in the doom universe for sure. They have
been carving out their own sizeable piece of the pie for some time now, from
obscurity to headline shows at The Forum. From “Come My Fanatics”, to
“Dopethrone” to “We Live” to “Witchcult Today” to others that people pick as
their best and argue endlessly about, each album has been different- still
recognisably The Wizard, but different nonetheless. Many were disappointed with
“Black Masses”- I enjoyed it a lot at the time but haven't put it on much
since- and maybe that says something, maybe it doesn't.
Regardless,
the new album must be assessed on its own merits. Does it deliver? Have the
band changed? Has Mark Greening's (brief, ill-fated) return meant a return to
trippier days? My view, for what it is worth, follows...
Naturally,
there are samples of horror films, there is a vibe not dissimilar to Hammer's
most seminal film work that prevails and the album is certainly less accessible
than anything Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats have done- it is feral, nasty and
lo-fi. All good, there, then. Greening makes his presence felt from the off
with caveman rhythms and a sense of groove that was missing from Black Masses
(abysmal sounding) drums. 'Incense For The Damned' delivers on all levels,
that's for sure. The title track even
has a lead break amongst the trippy vocals and blinding hate. It's true, The
Wizard are misanthropes- hatred for all mankind writ large over all they do.
Good. I would never want that to change.
'I
Am Nothing'
is eleven and a half minutes of creeping dread, with a crushing riff of
monolithic proportions. 'Destroy Those Who Love God' is a beast, too - fuzzed out,
samples aplenty and creepy organ (hitherto unmentioned, but there earlier on in
the record...). The effect is quite hypnotic. All the elements that have been
mentioned may leave neophytes thinking”So what? I've heard loads of doom, why
do I need to hear this?” Well, there is no easy answer. It's like trying to
explain why Maiden are in a different league from Saxon. On paper, all's equal,
but in reality.... Same thing with Electric Wizard and all other doom really-
they have more of what any doom band needs. They are just... better. 'Funeral
of Your Mind' will ram that point home nicely- positively up-tempo for this
bunch- it's catchy but still other worldly and niche. Anyone could enjoy Blood
Ceremony or UAATD, but The Wizard are not people friendly. They are unpleasant
and gritty in a way that you either get or you don't.
'We
Love The Dead'
brings us nine minutes of sounds that evoke blue lens filtered English
countryside and candles burning down to nothing in the gloom. It's creepy
stuff, sinister and savage at the same time. 'Sadiowitch' is the nominal
“single” here. Percussively memorable and a nice aural snack for a band that
doesn't operate in this form that often. 'Lucifer's Slaves' is exactly the
kind of biker hell you want it to be, while 'Saturn Dethroned' closes the
whole shebang on a strangely muted note of drama and satanic fairground
inspired atmosphere.
In
conclusion, Electric Wizard remain at the top of the doom tree (should that be
bottom of the doom well?) and have delivered another uniquely Electric
Wizard-esque album. No-one else is quite on the same level, you see. A real
chef makes a better meal with the same ingredients. All hail.
Words by: Richard Maw
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can pick up a copy here
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