WHITE WIZZARD - review added 18th December 2009
Album Review: Over The Top (2010)
For fans of: Heavy Metal... and cool pinky purple be-horned beasts
California's White Wizzard have already (kind-of) released an album this year. High Speed GTO was described as an EP, but for me 7 tracks does not an EP make. It was recorded back in 2007, but only given a full label release in 2009.
Over The Top sees the recording debut with White Wizzard of new vocalist Wyatt Anderson, who replaces James Luna. Drummer Giovanni Durst is new to the fold too. The remainder of the band is Erik Kluiber on lead guitars, Chad Bryan on rhythm and harmony guitars, and Jon Leon on bass and electric guitar.
The sound is much like it was for the debut. It's very much influenced by Iron Maiden and the NWOBHM in general. The band have again chosen to go for that raw 1980's style production rather than a more warm, precise, modern sound. The playing is fast, excellent and more energetic than an over productive power station.
The title track kicks things off in okay fashion. The chorus is a highlight, but the overall effect is akin to an Iron Maiden out take. '40 Deuces' is better. Again, you've heard it all before but, for whatever reason, this track has a lot more charm. It's a more powerful, self assured effort with a lot of oomph behind it. 'High Roller' is speedy and full of character, if a tad directionless and (again) derivative.
'Live Free Or Die' is a change of direction. It boasts harmonies and a more thoughtful approach to music-making. It reminds me of a mild take on older Trivium. 'Iron Goddess Of Vengeance' is a proper swords and sandals power metal anthem that's both brilliant and very silly. I can imagine it would make for a very good video. 'Out Of Control' is back to the standard White Wizzard retro sound with plenty of Dave Murray/Adrian Smith style guitar flourishes.
'Strike Of The Viper' speedily plods along in the same fashion. 'Death Race' is more of an epic entry that has a similar sound to several other tracks but manages to be head and shoulders above them. Final track, the self-titled 'White Wizzard', has more of a meaty, progressive sound. It probably has the best, strongest sound of any song on the album, but it still has a good stab at being unmemorable.
The new singer and drummer doesn't seem to have made a lot of difference to White Wizzard. they still play a very similar music to the debut album, and with the lack of improvement in production they still sound near identical. I kind of like what the band do, but Over The Top doesn't excite me as much as it perhaps should. It's okay, but it isn't brilliant.
Check out... White Wizzard live. They are definitely built for the stage, not the studio.
Track List:
01. Over The Top
02. 40 Deuces
03. High Roller
04. Live Free Or Die
05. Iron Goddess Of Vengeance
06. Out Of Control
07. Strike Of The Viper
08. Death Race
09. White Wizzard
Label: Earache Records
Band websites: White Wizzard , MySpace
