Lizzard Wizzard - WORM WAR III (Album Review)

Release Date: March 08th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

WORM WAR III - Tracklisting

1.Interlude 01:01

2.Cryosleep Paralysis 02:54

3.Spillsuit 05:54

4.Gorgon Ramsay 05:45

5.Parramatta Speedway 05:08

6.Just Piss 00:17

7.Ape Escape 07:36

8.Birdworm 04:17

9.Worm War III 04:44

10.Snake Who Eat He Own Ass 03:39

11.Mantis Khan 11:28

Members

Luke Osborne

Michael Clarke

Nick McKeon

Stef Roselli

Review

Doom/Stoner Metallers Lizzard Wizzard awaken from a nine year slumber with their new WORM WAR III which has an epic modern day relevance to the ongoing wars currently happening in the world. This is quite a nihilistic record and is quite different to their previous albums with a certain Death Metal edge contained within the lyrics. The music itself has a Blackened Doom and Sludge Metal vibe with a down-tuned Stoner Metal sound that allows Lizzard Wizzard to perhaps align themselves closer to bands even from the extreme scene.

However, they never fully abandon their WEEDIAN ideals with stripped back melodies and distorted Psychedelic passages never too far within the bombastic opening tracks Interlude, Cryosleep Paralysis and Spillsuit. They still have the certain BONGZILLA and WEEDEATER influences hidden within their music but they have written mature themes for their lyrics that gives this record a highly unsettling quality.

Sometimes, the music is played at a cautious slow-to-mid pace which only adds extra weight to the already pitch-black musical horizons. They tapped into this style of music very briefly within their last album Total War Power Bastard but this time round this is a full on Sludge/Stoner Metal assault on the senses with some pitch-black comedic lyrics being added along the way mostly on tracks such as Gorgon Ramsay, Parramatta Speedway, and Snake Who Eat His Own Ass.

The real standout moments perhaps appear on tracks such as Just Piss, Ape Escape and Mantis Khan which sees Lizzard Wizzard change their musical direction for with strands of Progressive Metal forming that allows the band to comprise more intricate soundscapes whilst keeping their murky harsh tone. If you dig the likes of CONAN, HIGH ON FIRE, EYEHATEGOD and -(16)- then you’ll find much to admire on these tracks alone.

WORM WAR III really puts the listener through a tough battle which is brutally violent or violently brutal which the band makes no apologies for. This is the heaviest record that Lizzard Wizzard have released to date. It may have taken them nine years but it’s been really worth the wait. This record destroys everything within its wake and is one of the most filthiest, heaviest and brutal Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal records I’ve heard so far this year. 

The production quality is excellent which allows Lizzard Wizzard to create multiple waves of destructive and apocalyptic sounds throughout which all take a “NO HOLDS PRISONERS” approach whilst still providing a shit-ton of epic grooves and riffs to fully lose yourself in.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp

Lizzard Wizzard - Total War Power Bastard (Album Review)

Release date: January 01st 2017. Label: Self Released Format: DD

Total War Power Bastard – Tracklisting

1.THREAT LEVEL DEMON 05:04
2.DADFATHER 07:02
3.NERD SMASHER 03:34
4.SHITHEAD NIHILISM 08:41
5.PIZZA 06:25
6.SNAKE ARROW 07:01
7.MEDUSA BUT SHE GETS YOU STONED INSTEAD OF TURNING YOU TO STONE INSTEAD OF SNAKES SHE HAS VAPORIZERS ON HIS HEAD...DRUGS 04:49
8.CRYSTAL BALLS 05:58
9.MEGAFLORA 08:26

Band Members

Luke Osborne, Michael Clarke, Nick McKeon and Stef Roselli

Review

Lizzard Wizzard return after a 3 year absence with their new album – Total War Power Bastard. A heavy Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal experience that is inspired by bands such as Black Sabbath, Mastodon and High On Fire. This is a different sounding Lizzard Wizzard compared to their debut album. As the guys have more fire in their belly. The vocals are harsher, louder and more angrier. It's a welcome return as opening track – Threat Level Doom – more than lives up to it's name. The band have a pissed off swagger with doomy/sludge based riffs where the key is DISTORTION.

This album crackles with violent fuzz with glimpses of an early Black Sabbath sound that continues on tracks such as Dadfather, Nerdsmasher and Shithead Nihilism. You can tell by the song titles that Lizzard Wizzard have a very wry sense of humour and by the lyrics they have written. Though the album does hold a bleak sense of doom throughout the album.

My favourite track has to be Pizza as Lizzard Wizzard venture into Drone Rock style sounds. It has a certain Torche vibe to it at times. I must stress that Lizzard Wizzard do create hugely entertaining riffs and noises of their own. The vocals are loud and ferocious throughout the album.

The final stages of the album sees Lizzard Wizzard blend their familiar Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs with a more distorted fuzzier sound. The final two tracks – Crystal Balls and Megaflora – are perhaps the heaviest moments on the album as even though this album is on for 57 mins or so. The album leaves you wanting more. A sign of a great album in my humble opinion. The production is handled superbly well as it allows Lizzard Wizzard to create as much violent noise they possibly can.

Total War Power Bastard is a much better album than their debut album and I'm a huge fan of that record. Total War Power Bastard has a broader scope with better songwriting and production. I hope this album makes it's way onto the monthly Doom Charts and stay there for a very long time. If you want an album packed full of riffs and leave you bloodied, battered and bruised then Total War Power Bastard is the album for you.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp