Electric Wizard (Album)

Electric Wizard
Artwork by Dave Patchett.
Studio album by Electric Wizard
Released	1994
Recorded	1993 - 1994 at England in Rhythm Studios
Genre	Stoner Metal, Doom Metal
Length	47:24 (Original)
Label	Rise Above Records
Producer	Paul Johnston, Jus Oborn
Electric Wizard chronology
'Debut Release' (N/A)	Electric Wizard (1994)	Electric Wizard/Our Haunted Kingdom (1995)

Electric Wizard is the eponymous debut studio album by English doom metal band of the same name. The album's sound takes elements of stoner/doom and traditional doom with heavy influence on Black Sabbath compared to later efforts. Electric Wizard was initially released in 1994 via Rise Above Records and later bundled with Come My Fanatics... in 1999 for a United States release via The Music Cartel. Since 2006 it has been re-mastered and re-released several times.

Background

The origins of Electric Wizard go back to 1988 when Jus Oborn was involved with the death metal bands Morbicus and Lord of Putrefaction. The latter band put out three demo tapes from 1989–1991 and also did one split with Mortal Remains. In 1992 the name was changed to Thy Grief Eternal after Adam Richardson left the band. They put out one demo under this name titled On Blackened Wings. In 1993, James Evans left the band and they once again changed their name, shortening it to Eternal. The band released two demos under this name. After Gavin Gillingham left the band, Oborn started Electric Wizard. The recordings from this era were issued on the Pre-Electric Wizard 1989-1994 compilation in 2006.

Electric Wizard began in Wimborne in Dorset, England during 1993, and was composed of guitarist-vocalist Jus Oborn, bassist Tim Bagshaw, and drummer Mark Greening. The band's name was taken from two Black Sabbath songs: "Electric Funeral" and "The Wizard". Oborn remarked, "Is the name Electric Wizard made out of two Black Sabbath song titles? (smokes a big bud of weed through a can) Hahahaha, yeah it is!" The album's initial release would be in 1994 via Rise Above Records though as they sounds change songs from the album were rarely performed. Notably the album features artwork from Cathedral artist Dave Patchett and the font used for the logo is the same style used for Black Sabbath's self-titled album, a nod to one of the band's inspirations. A 2006 re-issue would feature two songs from the band's first demo Doom Chapter.

Retroactively the album has been generally praised. Eduardo Riviera of AllMusic would award the album four stars would observe the new standard the band was setting yet describe it as "seemingly lightweight" compared to later efforts. Doodlehound (Awarding a "Recommended" nod) would praise the record but note the "on-the-nose" Sabbath worship and that it's a competent debut album. Sputnik Music would also award a 4.0 score and Indy Metal Vault (Awarding a "B-" in a ranking of all their albums would cite the album as "another classic example of a band trying to find its own voice while still desperately clinging to its influences.".

Tracklist

Electric Wizard

• 1. Stone Magnet (4:52)
• 2. Mourning Prayer (5:06)
• 3. Mountains of Mars (3:47)
• 4. Behemoth (8:54)
• 5. Devil's Bride (6:34)
• 6. Black Butterfly (8:20)
• 7. Electric Wizard (9:40)
• 8. Wooden Pipe (0:08)

Japanese Bonus Track

• 9. Demon Lung (5:56)

Reissue Bonus Tracks

• 9. Illimitable Nebulie (Demo) (4:51)
• 10. Mourning Prayer, Part 1 (Demo) (5:19)

Personnel

• Jus Oborn - Guitar, Vocals
• Tim Bagshaw - Bass
• Mark Greening- Drums
• Paul Johnston - Producer
• Dave Patchett - Artwork