REBEL WIZARD is a one-man project out of Melbourne, Australia. On July 10, 2020 Bob Nekrasov released his third full-length album, "Magickal Mystical Indifference," under the REBEL WIZARD moniker. Just over half an hour, it tests the definition of full-length, but it's all relative given that his EPs typically weigh in at under ten minutes.

"Magickal Mystical Indifference" is a playful barrage of guitar-led Blackened Heavy Metal. With titles almost longer than the actual songs themselves, it's hard to take REBEL WIZARD too seriously. Not to say the music is a joke, but rather I don't think Bob takes himself too seriously, which is a good thing. There are too many bands out there trying to convince us that their brand of Ritual Mystical Shamanistic Black Metal posturing somehow gives their music more credibility when in fact it does the opposite. With titles like "White Light Of Divine Awe Smelling Of Sweat And Sex" and "Urination Of Vapidity On Consciousness," it's hard not believe Bob is as much a satirical genius as he is an incredible guitarist.

The album is mixed with all the delicate sensibilities of a Black Metal maelstrom at the bottom of a well. There's distortion folded with over with more distortion and then cut through with the vocals of a banshee. But . . . instead of the expected tremolo you get surprisingly traditional Heavy Metal riffs, albeit pushed into the red. And instead of blast beats, you get rudimentary Metal backbeats. Bob seems more of a guitarist than a rhythm section, drums or bass, and he doesn't step too far out of this comfort zone.

Featured on the album are female spoken word snippets quoting Nisargadatta Maharaj, Hindu guru of nondualism. Again, not sure if these are meant ironically or if Bob is really intent on spreading the good word. I'm thinking the former, but in the end, it really doesn't matter. Musically, the album stands on its own track-by-track even with the transcendental narratives, be they enhancements or distractions. With that said, "Magickal Mystical Indifference" is at its best when the embellishments are pushed aside, and we just get hard-driving Metal.

My pick of standout tracks are: title track, "Magickal Mystical Indifference," "White Light Of Divine Awe Smelling Of Sweat And Sex," and "The Mind Is Not Your Friend." Once you buy into REBEL WIZARD, it's difficult to discount any of the tracks. They are all solid. "Not Rain But Wizard Tears" is a fairly distinctive shift in style and tempo that may throw some listeners, but coming from the reverse angle so is "Urination Of Vapidity On Consciousness" which ends as violently and abruptly as it begins. French psychologist Jacques Lacan, darling of post-modern literary theorists, would often end his therapy sessions at seemingly random points, sometimes as soon as ten minutes into the session. His intention, though, was to underscore a particularly salient thing the patient had said. The abrupt ending was meant to draw focus on the insight. Just saying.

Final verdict. Most people think Bob Nekrasov is a musical genius, and who am I to argue? Aesthetically, I find the music compelling. Lyrically, I'm drawn into the words whenever I can decipher them above the distortion. And as for the all-important vibe, I totally dig it. REBEL WIZARD is guitar-abusing Metal mayhem. What's not to love?