By:
Daniel Jackson
Album Type: EP
Date Released: 11/12/2015
Label: Independent
If you can handle the programmed drums, you’re in for 17 minutes of
truly fantastic music. The riffs here are remarkable. Lead off instrumental “Too Late” is mid tempo
heavy metal bliss, perfectly striking a balance between 80s Judas Priest with
European-style melody a sound that returns for “On the Unknown Self They Ride”.
Elsewhere, we’re treated to a muscular speed metal/power metal hybrid on “A
Place to Rest the Dead Inside is Never to Be Found”, complete with locomotive
double kick. The quality here is best of
the year list-worthy, if given the kind of production this music truly
deserves.
‘Invocation of the Miserable Ones’ DD track listing:
1.
Too Late
2.
A Place to Rest the Dead Inside is Never to Be Found
3.
On the Unknown Self They Ride
4.
Invocation of the Miserable Ones
The Review:
This
review, much like this EP, will be quick and to the point.
Rebel Wizard’s a one-man
operation, and it sounds like it. I don’t mean that in a negative context,
either. What I mean is that outside of a handful of exceptions, you’re not
going to find too many solitary metal projects that sound like full-fledged
bands. The vast majority of musicians
aren’t going to be able to play drums, bass, guitar and do vocals all at a high
level in a studio setting. So, some concessions end up getting made, and you
work with what you can, because there either aren’t suitable band mates in your
area, or you just don’t fucking like other people. Whichever the personal case
may be when talking about NKSV and Rebel Wizard, the one
big concession at work here is drums and drum programming. If you’re able to
deal with some pretty barebones, obviously programmed drums, you’re going to
love the hell out of this album. If not, it’s going to be a tough sell.
If
you can handle the programmed drums, you’re in for 17 minutes of truly
fantastic music. The riffs here are remarkable. Lead off instrumental “Too Late” is mid tempo heavy metal
bliss, perfectly striking a balance between 80s Judas Priest
with European-style melody a sound that returns for “On the Unknown Self They Ride”. Elsewhere, we’re treated to a
muscular speed metal/power metal hybrid on “A Place to Rest the Dead Inside is Never to Be Found”, complete
with locomotive double kick. The vocals are done in a black metal style with
added distortion layer on top for added filth, which gives the EP a sense of
old Witchery by way of Anaal Nathrakh.
The
larger point is that these are riffs that deserve better than to be discounted
because of their sonic surroundings. I would urge you strongly to do your best
to accept or look past the mechanical sound of the drums, because these songs
are absolutely worth the effort. The quality here is best of the year
list-worthy, if given the kind of production this music truly deserves. Still,
I understand the circumstances that lead to this kind of recording quality, and
it’s usually out of necessity rather than lack of effort.
‘Invocation
of the Miserable Ones’ is available here
Band info:
Facebook
