Review Summary: The Wizard delivers once again, but this time with a "tighter" sound...And lots of cannabis...Lots...
After "Let us Prey", The Wizard goes through a drastic line up change, losing two of its founding members; Tim Bagshaw (Bass) and Mark Greening (Drums). With Jus being the only remaining Wizard, he decided to recruit new members and proceed with his career. It took two years to make this album, but it is worth the wait. It is a rather large improvement from their last effort.
1. Eko Eko Azarak - The first thing you will recognize about this album (or at least I did) is that the vocals are extremely different. But, when I say different, I don't mean they are worse. In fact they are better, much better. All distortion is removed and they are much higher in the mix, making it very easy to understand what he is saying. The guitar, or I should say guitars are also different, mainly because there is two of them. Jus and Liz do a pretty good job in this song with the guitar duties. One thing that stands out is the first guitar solo in the song. Its much different than his usual approach and I think it works out well. The riffs in this song are kind of sub par compared to others on the album. Although, the vocals are quite good and will eventually have you singing along to the wicca chant, or whatever it is. The song does carry on a bit too long and it is the downfall of it, seeing as it is a pretty decent track. Not how I would have started the album out. 3.7/5
2. We Live - Has a very heavy riff to start the song out. The vocals don't take to long to jump in. They seem like jus is in pain or anguish as he belts out the first verse with much emotion and feeling. It really captures the mood of the song and leads into a very well thought out chorus. The chorus will immediately catch your attention with its great guitar fill. The lyrics fit very smooth and natural as well, adding to the enjoyment of the song. Overall this song is pretty good, just not to much you can say about it. 3.7/5
3. Flower of Evil (A.K.A. Malfiore) - This track has a lot of obvious emotion. The riff is outstanding and can really put you in some sort of trance where you stare into nothingness trying to piece together each part of the song. Once again, the vocals are exceptional and Jus sings in a very original way that doesn't sound a bit out of place. Eventually the song slows down and goes into a different part that isn't quite as good as the first. The song ends on a positive note though, with its nice guitar "solo". 4.0/5
4. Another Perfect Day? - A wall feedback starts this song and makes you think its gonna be another slow monolithic doom track, Right? Well it is, except for the 3 minutes of course. But, Inside those first 3 minutes, its a very fast, high energy jam with tasty guitar fills and catchy vocal melodies. Theres even a nice little solo thrown in there around the 2 minute mark. But, that slow part comes in and changes things up a bit. The slower part of the song is a little boring up until the 6 minute mark where vocals come in and the riff changes a bit. from this moment on the song returns to excellence and redeems itself. 4.3/5
5. The Sun Has Turned To Black - Just by looking at the title you know that this is not going to a very happy song. Right off the bat a doom Riff smothered with feedback and distortion comes in to really set the mood for this powerful track. Cymbal crashes really compliment this song and the album as a whole. The vocals come in nice and easy with a rhythm that follows the riff to a tee. A righteous guitar fill follows the second chorus and really adds to the atmosphere of this song. Everything is balanced very equally on this track. Nothing bad to say about it. 4.0/5
6. Saturn's Children - ...What do I say about this track? Every track off this album, is just a lead in to this monstrous song. Saturn's Children is such an epic track, that if I could pick just one song from the whole stoner metal genre for a person to hear, that has never experienced anything stoner related, it would hands down be this song. The opening riff that lasts for about five minutes is such an amazing start that justs opens your entire mind for whats about to happen. Immediately when you hear the drums start pounding from what feels like a million miles away, you know that this song is going to be great. During the section where The line "The cross turns to black" is repeated is where your journey truly begins. As soon as those thunderous cymbals crash down, this song fully kicks in. All you can do is sit back and accept this song and soak up every bit of beauty that is being offered to you. Each chunk of music in this piece is played so precisely and thought out perfectly that it makes you wonder how this track was made in only two years. I encourage everyone to listen to this song. It is really a piece of art that belongs in a metal museum. I will not say anything more about Saturn's Children. Just go listen to it. 5.0/5
We Live is an excellent album that shouldn't be missed. It is definitely an improvement Let us Prey.
Also, this is only my second review (First was Let us Prey). Hopefully this one was better...
PROS
- 2 Guitars opens up a lot of doors.
- Improved vocals
-"Catchy" Vocal Melodies
- Very well balanced album
CONS
- Songs tend to blend
- Didn't utilize 2 guitars as much as they could have
- Great riffs are absent except for a few.
Overall Rating - 4.0/5
