White Wizzard – Over The Top
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Highlights: Over The Top, 40 Deuces, High Roller, Live Free Or Die, Out of Control, Death Race
One listen to White Wizzard’s 2009 album “Over The Top” is the equivalent of getting into that Delorean time machine and going back to 1984. A time where denim jackets were covered in patches and buttons, jeans were tight and had holes in them, the hair was dirty and unkept and head bands were worn like helmets as you fought the battle for all that was Heavy Metal. A time were saluting your fellow comrades was a fist pointed upward or the almighty devil horns as you passed each other in the mall or at the arena concert. A time where heavy metal was rebelious and the songs were anthems for the displaced youth and outcasts that needed their own heroes. A time where the guitars were tuned in standard tuning and only had 6 strings as opposed to the downtuned 7 string things that exist today. This folks, is White Wizzard, a modern band with a truly old soul.
The opening track “Over The Top” right off the bat brings a smile to my face as I was shot back in time to those times. Twin lead guitars that sound like they jumped right out of an Iron Maiden album and singer that sounds like the lovechild of Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford. I first heard these guys on my friend Lady Starlight’s blog and I can’t even begin to tell you how psyched I was to hear this. The metal bands of today are so polished and down tuned and if I have to hear another metal singer with that caked on auto tune to their voices I’m going to claw my ears out. White Wizzard delivers an album that is well produced, executed with tight precision and a sound that is organic and old school.
“Over The Top” is a non-stop Metal roller coaster that is going at top speed for nearly an hour. The 2nd track “40 Deuces” in my opinion is the song that really showcases what this band is capable of. Unlike fellow Metal band “Dream Evil”, White Wizzards lyrics are campy yet they are true to the attitude and genre of music they are playing. The lyrics aren’t purposely cheesy but they are just naturally campy and fun. The songs are anthems similar to that of Judas Priest. The band even pays homage to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement of the 70’s – 80’s that inspired them on the song “Out Of Control.” “In 79, we were left for dead. A new movement was born. Neal Kay saved the day, Air guitars in a crazy swarm.” This is just too damn awesome to hear as these guys at least know where their roots and legacy came from.
The rest of the songs on “Over The Top” are just as good as the other. The album is a really great Heavy Metal listening experience. Now don’t get me wrong, I appreciate new modern metal bands like Lacuna Coil, In This Moment and Five Finger Death Punch but I can’t listen to those guys like I can White Wizzard. Listening to White Wizzard is like traveling back in time and being reminded of what was great about Metal music. It’s not poppy, it’s not friendly and it’s not over produced. It’s well written, well played and puts a smile on my face ten miles wide. Classic metal isn’t dead folks. It’s alive and well and White Wizzard proves it with “Over The Top.” A line from the song “Out of Control” says it best: “The anthems sound a new rebirth. A sonic blast across the earth!” Well said boys, well said!
About The Author
