Black Wizard hail from Vancouver, BC and they bring a template of 70’s rock and sprinkle ample amounts of stoner/doom to the proceedings. Esthetically, the band draws inspiration from acts like Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath, but is so much more than that. The group is made up of seasoned musicians like Kenneth Paul Cook from The Anciients, Three Wolf Moon’s Adam Grant and Evan Joel, plus Eugene Parkomenko from The Hookers. With a line-up like this you would expect music of heavy riffs and coupled with soaring twin-like harmonies often reminiscent from a band like Thin Lizzy.
Young Wisdom is the title of their sophomore release and it dwells fully into the sounds of hard rock and psychedelic rhythms. Perhaps more bodacious than their self-titled debut in 2010, this release begins with a driving number called “Spacer” setting the tone straightaway and often recalling early Monster Magnet. From there we get the up-tempo of “Young Wisdom” complete with the screeching vocals of Adam Grant and melding doomy-like passages to great effect. The next track “Midnight” finds a heaping amount of Thin Lizzy inspired harmonies thrown into the mix, creating a somber tone.
The next few tracks take many twists and turns, but the common feel of early 70’s psychedelic rock remains strong throughout. “Danger Dances” reminds me of Pink Floyd and the hard hitting nature of “Something Sweet” and the soaring “Appetite” brings the album to a full variety of sounds that make this release a satisfying listen. The closing track “Wicked Wanderer” is arguably the strongest composition found here and it just eclipses the core sound of what the band are all about; heavy riffs aplenty and the driving force of psychedelic rhythms to match it.
Black Wizard is the type of band that obsessively honors the past dutifully and brings out the best hallmarks of 70’s rock and stoner/doom sounds. Young Wisdom is a strong release and as far as sophomore efforts is concerned this one is a true keeper. I would suggest this album to anyone who enjoys the blending of many genres and prefers heavy metal done right.
Kenneth Gallant, Editor HMS
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