WIZARD is a synonym for heavy metal from Germany. In 2009 the band celebrates their 20th anniversary – 20 years of metal, shows and a whole lot of fun! It all began when Michael Maaß (Guitar) and Sören van Heek (drums) started doing some metal during some beers. V.Leson (Bass) and Sven D’Anna (vocals) joined the band and this line up lasts until today! A true ring of musicians and much more important, friends. In 1991 the legendary „Legion of Doom“ demo was done followed by the self financed „Son of Darkness“ (1995) and „Battle of Metal“ (1997). A big underground buzz was created and the band got a lot of reviews, shows and fanmail. The work paid off when B.O. Records signed the band and released the first official album „Bound by Metal“. Tracks like „Hammer, Bow, Axe and Sword“ or the title track „Bound By Metal“ lead the band to an impressive start. After having troubles with B.O.Records WIZARD signed with Limb Musc Products and released „Head Of The Deceiver“in 2001, the so far best and most successful album by WIZARD. As for the debut the reviews were enthusiastic and even in South Africa there was an fanaticWizard-fan club. Tours and shows followed with a.o. Paul Di‘ Anno, Edguy, Paragon, Goddess Of Desire, Sacred Steel and Death SS, topped by highly acclaimed shows on the Bang Your Head- and Wacken festival. In the fall of 2002 WIZARD entered the Powerhouse-Studios in Hamburg, with producer Piet Sielck (Iron Savior, Heavenly, Blind Guardian, Gun Barrel, Paragon) to record a conceptual album about the Norid god father Odin. The simply „Odin“ entitled masterpiece was not only musically but also with its sound topped everything the WIZARD released so far. Smashers like the opener ‚The Prophecy‘ and ‚The Powergod‘, epic hymns like ‚Thor's Hammer‘ and ‚Hall Of Odin‘or hook monsters like “Dead Hope‘ and ‚Dark God‘ – „Odin“ became a mighty and highly acclaimed power metal epos. In January 2004 WIZARD supported Grave Digger on their tour and proved again their excellent live skills. After the successful tour WIZARD started writing new songs. In May 2004 was announced that Michael Maaß had to take a break at WIZARD because of a lack of time. Replacement was found right away - Dano Boland took his place and brought fresh power to the band. It was up time for another album in WIZARD history. With the new album „Magic Circle“ Dano Baoland could show his live skills on many shows with a.o. Virgin Steel, Doro Pesch, Rage, Primal Fear, Gun Barrel, Sacred Steel – the reviews proved that the first album with the new member was a true success. In 2006 WIZARD parted ways with Limb Music to reach new targets. In the same year a new deal with Massacre Records was done and WIZARD in Septemper 2006 entered the House of Music studio in Stuttgart. With producer Dennis Ward the conceptual album Goochan was done. Press and fans loved the album and the label was also happy with their first one for Massacre Records. After a small headlining tour through Germany and many shows abroad (f.e. in Greece) the time was there for Michael Maaß to end his break and return to the band. As Dano Boland became such an important member in the meantime the band decided to continue with two guitarists. New songs were done and the first shows as a five-piece and studio date was soon booked. After honouring the gods father Odin in 2003 now the thunder god Thor was chosen. In October 2008 all recordings were done with Andy Horn. Mix and mastering were in the hands of Achim Köhler. Songs like „Midgards Guardian“, „Resurrection“ or the ballad „Serpents Venom“ lead the listener to new worlds and take care that there is no lack of head banging!
Because Wizard moved rehearsals to a studio they decided to record the new album here. Volker read three books from the german author Andre Wiesler (a trilogy about Hagen von Stein (Hexenmacher, Teufelshatz, Wolfsfluch)) and he was really impressed. So he contacted Andre and together they worked on the lyrics of the new album. The texts are about vampires, werewolves, witches and so the title of the album was decided to be: … and wariwulfs and bluotvarwes. Fortunately Achim Köhler had the time and the will to mix and master the new album, Steve Argyle painted the cover.
This album is the most perfect one Wizard made so far. It sounds all-round like never. From thrash-style-vocals (Taste of fear, sounds like Mille from Kreator), speedsongs like the title track, pure evil slow tempo songs like Heart eater to really soulful melodies like Messenger of death this album presents a lot of metal styles so nearly every metal fan will find his favourite music on this. This album is for sure one of the best ones Wizard ever made. This is also supported by the fantastic sound Achim Köhler has made. Right after publishing … of wariwulfs and bluotvarwes Wizard will play shows in Ireland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Germany. Especially in the Netherlands and in the Czech Republic the amount of Wizard fans increased very much the last years.
So the band would like to thank all the fans which supported them so much in the last years! Enjoy the new album, we will see us on stage!
www.legion-of-doom.de/
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Massacre Releases:
» Thor
» Goochan
Discography:
1995 Son of Darkness
1997 Battle of Metal
1999 Bound by Metal
2001 Head of the Deceiver
2003 Odin
2005 Magic Circle
2007 Goochan
2009 Thor
2011...of wariwulfs and bluotvarwes
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