Artist: Wizard
Title: Of Wariwulfs and Bluotvarwes
Genre: Speed / Power Metal
Release Date: 25th March 2011
Label: Massacre Records
Album Review
In 1989, Sören van Heek with Michael Maass formed WIZARD, a band that was soon branded as “Germany’s answer to MANOWAR” by many (they have also shared a stage with the aforementioned band, as well as with SABATON, RAGE, PRIMAL FEAR, etc.) During their career spanning over 20 years, they were responsible for nine albums - counting in the freshly released ‘Of Wariwulfs and Bluotvarwes’. Whilst previously one of their concept albums took on Norse mythology, now they’re tying up the album with the fantasy book trilogy about Hagen von Stein by Andre Wiesler, set in the time of The Thirty Years’ War. As you can imagine the battle themes and corresponding music will be fierce and deadly, of course the critical historical period is peopled by fantastical beings and creatures as well.
The band doesn’t pretend to play metal! They actually do play metal! And in a tempo that actually brings to my mind the RUNNING WILD. The opening song, ‘...of wariwulfs and bluotvarwes’ throws out the riffs like a machine gun, an excellent example of speed metal. The comparison with MANOWAR does injustice to the technical and vocal capabilities of the band. They have managed to find their own position in the metal scene and they are surely enjoying it! Another one fave song of theirs in this LP is the ‘Taste of Fear’, an epic and strong song that has something from DEATH SS without the horror and theatrical elements. ‘Wariwolf’ is one of the strongest moments of the album, filled with heavy riffs and has something very nostalgic from the metal scene of 80’s. The ‘Messenger of death’ has nothing to do with the epic theme of the album; it is a heavy metal ballad that I’d love to know which situation actually inspired them in order to write it.
The ‘Sign of the Cross’ has nothing to do with the same titled song of IRON MAIDEN, in terms of lyrics and epic breadth at least it is more closely to GAMMA RAY’s ‘Rebellion in Dreamland’. The ‘Hearteater’ is as if it came out of the darkest aspects of the Middle Ages, heavy and relentless, but so is the ‘Hagr’ about a mythical witch. ‘Bletzer’ is the undeniable major hit of the album, pure heavy metal anthem without the tutus and perfumes of the melodic metal bands. The closing song, ‘Hagen von Stein’ has this brilliant refrain that one thinks that it is taken from the good era of METALLICA and again the riffs here are a pure joy to listen to! And instead of writing a closing paragraph here I’d prefer to share the aforementioned refrain:
Inside my heart light is apart
Anger and hate is my fate
Betrayers around me there is no trust
I am the loser of the dark
Epic album, pure epic!
Tracklist
01. ... of wariwulfs and bluotvarwes – 4.57
02. Undead Insanity – 3.38
03. Taste Of Fear – 4.44
04. Wariwulf – 3.48
05. Messenger of death – 5.38
06. Sign Of The Cross – 3.46
07. Fair Maiden Mine – 4.47
08. Hearteater – 4.32
09. Hagr – 3.55
10. Bletzer – 3.44
11. Hagen von Stein – 3.47
Line-up
Sven D‘Anna –Vocals
Dano Boland – Guitar
Michael Maass – Guitar
Volker Leson – Bass
Sören van Heek – Drums
Websites
http://www.legion-of-doom.de / http://www.myspace.com/wizardband
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Total: 8.5 / 10
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