Six albums after the release of their magnum opus, Dopethrone, Electric Wizard are beginning to show signs of burning out. While Wizard Bloody Wizard is in many ways a solid release by the British band, it fails to compete with the recent releases of colleagues Pallbearer, Earthless and Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats. It almost appears as though the stoner metal genre that Electric Wizard helped create has begun to outpace them. As more and more bands have reinvigorated the sounds of Black Sabbath and doom metal in general, Electric Wizard have stagnated somewhat.
Nihilistic chugging riffs permeate the album from beginning to end, thundering away and drilling a particular tempo into your head. But this repetition isn't served by the sort of groove that previously was a keystone to Electric Wizard's sound. Endless chugging may embody what heavy feels like, but after a certain period of time, it sounds mundane; it's hard to remained focus on this particular style of music when there aren't any notable transitions to keep one's attention.
Iconic bands will always have a certain expectation applied to future releases following a watershed album. Electric Wizard are in many ways burdened by the success they had with Dopethrone back in 2000. Fair or not, it's a comparison point that will always stand in the minds of every Electric Wizard fan.
(Spinefarm)Nihilistic chugging riffs permeate the album from beginning to end, thundering away and drilling a particular tempo into your head. But this repetition isn't served by the sort of groove that previously was a keystone to Electric Wizard's sound. Endless chugging may embody what heavy feels like, but after a certain period of time, it sounds mundane; it's hard to remained focus on this particular style of music when there aren't any notable transitions to keep one's attention.
Iconic bands will always have a certain expectation applied to future releases following a watershed album. Electric Wizard are in many ways burdened by the success they had with Dopethrone back in 2000. Fair or not, it's a comparison point that will always stand in the minds of every Electric Wizard fan.