Date Released: June 30th 2022. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD
Most Severe Crisis: Tracklisting
1.Hollow Earth 04:13
2.Most Severe Crisis 04:49
3.Sacrificial Lamp 04:47
4.Is What Is 05:11
5.End Is Nigh 05:06
6.Wizard's Sleeve 06:23
7.Godless Interval 06:09
Members
Quentin Poynter: Vocals, Guitars, Synths
RB Green: Guitars
Kyle Tuggle: Bass Towers
Garry Naples: Drums
Anthony Cwan: Vocals (Hollow Earth, Sacrificial Lamp, Wizard’s Sleeve)
Review
Retro Stoner Metal Riffsters WIZZO new album Most Severe Crisis is upon us all and it’s quite a different affair to their 2020 self-titled release. As WIZZO focus more upon the Prog Rock aspect of their sound whilst still retaining their catchy Psych Stoner Rock vibe that moves into areas of Classic Rock, Alt Rock and Hard Rock passages. The album does have an eerie Relapse Records sound within the first few tracks of Hollow, Most Severe Crisis and Sacrificial Lamp.
The music is dense and very multi-layered with WIZZO moving between modern day grooves and classic Alt Rock themes with the melodic vocals from Quentin and guest vocals from Anthony on three of the album's tracks. I can hear traces of Mastodon on certain aspects of this album when the progressive guitars kick in with a Doom Rock appetite that sees WIZZO playing some of the finer aspects of the Doom/Stoner Metal underground scene.
The album also has a very cool sounding and mature “POP” vibe that more famous Metal Bands have used lately. The lyrics are catchy and easy to remember so the listener can sing along to their heart's content. The spiky soundbytes and trippy effects work extremely well especially on Most Severe Crisis which is one of the album's standout tracks.
There’s a lot of different musical themes and genres to enjoy this album. The album perhaps runs out of steam towards the end but the overall journey is superb on songs such as: Is What Is, End Is Nigh and Wizard’s Sleeve.
Another aspect of the album I admire greatly is the grunge based vibes of the album that has a certain Alice In Chains quality to it all on the later stages of the album.
Most Severe Crisis is another winning album from WIZZO with fabulous production values and these guys deserve to be signed to one of the record labels within the underground scene. Maybe, I did enjoy their debut album a little bit more but this album is still a first rate musical adventure that solidifies WIZZO as one of the best upcoming bands within the Doom/Stoner Metal underground scene.
Words by Steve Howe
Links:
Official | Facebook | BandCamp
