Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Wizard Of Wairwulfs And Bluotvarwes Company: Massacre Release: 2011 Genre: Power Reviewer: EC

One mean collection of polished Teutonic tunes

Germany's Wizard have risen through the ranks to a sold mid-card stance. This is the ninth record in a fifteen year career and it pushes the group to the height of epic power metal. Bands like Wizard, Rebellion and Paragon have become seasoned vets of this tried and true sound and are recognized as the proverbial torch bearer. Nevertheless, I still don't know what a bluotvarwe is.

This is one mean collection of polished Teutonic tunes further enhanced by famed Achim Kohler (Sinner, Primal Fear). He mixes and masters the band's very own production at Magic Hall. The sound is magnificent with tons of up front double bass and rich harmony that isn't in the mud. Think of Manowar's "Louder Than Hell" made by a bunch of power-mad Germans.

Wizard shake brains in heads on eleven, blazing rivets of steel. "Undead Reality" exemplifies the German mindset of power through thrash with the mandatory "Restless And Wild" brute force (see also "Taste Of Fear"). "Messenger Of Death" is the winning number with its "Lock Up The Wolves" bass beats to the melo-drama donned up classic and vintage.

Maybe this isn't sheer fire innovation like old Blind Guardian but it isn't completely brain dead either (they aren't the mad butcher). This is a quality effort that shows in skill and comparison. Perhaps Wizard are the grandsons of the pioneers and staking their claim as metal's forged fire (or some other corny heavy metal slogan). We need more middle aged metal these days as our icons slowly fade away.