Wizard's Spell

Black Magic

Once in a blue moon, or perhaps more, you find those who are unhindered by […]
By Quineten Serna
May 15, 2019
Black Magic - Wizard's Spell album cover

Once in a blue moon, or perhaps more, you find those who are unhindered by the way of modern convention, those who do not care towards the opinions of others and are more concerned with their own pursuits and integrity rather than going with the flow. BLACK MAGIC does just that as their sound can be likened more directly to a classic 80s vibe instead of the modern soundscape. "Wizard's Spell" is a re-release of an album of the same name which was initially recorded in 2010 and pressed in 2014, the last four of the songs are demos from the "Reap of Evil" EP released in 2010.

Soundscape is a funny entity as it is a design that changes not just with recording equipment, but also with the evolution of culture. It's a plain fact though often left unanalyzed, but itself easy to prove as music from 3 decades ago nowhere near matches today's pursuits. For the most part people, and myself included, are in unison to agree that "classic metal" is stronger and more distinct than today's offerings, though I digress.

"Black Magic" begins the album in a groove driven and oddly fanciful prelude to the album, however it is "Rite of the Wizard" which truly commences the album and introduces us to the band with its rhythmic lead ins and wailing guitar coupled with a powerful and heavy drum groove all before the lyrics even start. The song changes its courses often throughout creating distinct peaks and gorges in its delivery all of which are masterfully transitioned to such that nothing sounds out of place or forced.

"Voodoo Curse" and "the Ritual" are the two instrumental tracks on the album, both of which distinct from one another though the latter is much shorter than the former-on a more detail oriented level "Voodoo Curse" is best described as condensed opus with many different shifts in tempo and form arranged together pretty well. Despite its length "the Ritual" is itself a heavy track, relying more on heavier more distinct strikes and longer chords.

"Death Militia" is hands down my favorite track on the album its quick paced rhythms, biting leads, and shrill vocals all combine to create a memorable track such that days later I'm still singing the tune. Not only is it the most "classic" sounding of all the songs on the album but, it takes the best elements of the album and merges all of them into a single song, a great way to end the new tracks.

"Wizard's Spell" has no new material from its initial release back in 2014, yet it offers new listeners the chance to be introduced to BLACK MAGIC as it is no longer inhibited by the initial pressing of just 500 copies and is readily available for download, vinyl, and disc formats. It's difficult to discern what the band's ambitions are as each new release grows more distant than its predecessor, hopefully the band will continue to write as their sophomore album is a strongly anticipated release.

7 / 10

Good

Songwriting

8

Musicianship

7

Memorability

7

Production

7
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"Wizard's Spell" Track-listing:

1. Black Magic
2. Rite of the Wizard
3. Voodoo Curse
4. Thunder of the Undead
5. Death Militia
6.  The Ritual
7. Night of Mayhem
8. Possessed
9. Embraced by the Occult

Black Magic Lineup:

JON - Bass, Guitars, Vocals
SADOMANCER - Drums, Vocals

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