REVIEW: WIZARD – Bound By Metal

 

WIZARD – Bound By Metal

B.O. Records/ Limb Music

This is the third studio album by WIZARD, which established them in my mind as a notable presence in the realm of epic power metal. Since its release in 1999, I have followed every creative step of the band.

What these gentlemen do particularly well here is deliver 11 dynamic metal compositions inspired by Norse mythology, the metal lifestyle, and of course, heroic fantasy. The passion and inspiration are evident in all the songs on the album, where there is nothing pretentious or excessive beyond the genuine love for what they do.

And what exactly do they do? They blend the German heavy and power metal sound that we’ve come to know from bands like ACCEPT, GRAVE DIGGER, etc., and merge it with epic MANOWAR influences.

In my personal opinion, the band has found its own style here, one that it continues to faithfully follow to this day. The essence, however, is that although 26 years have passed since its release in 1999, I still listen to it with the same enthusiasm I had the first time.

As I reflect on this album, I am reminded of the significant impact that Wizard had on the power metal scene with "Bound by Metal." One of the pioneering bands to incorporate Manowar's epic, galloping style, Wizard made a lasting impression with their consistency and quality, surpassing even Manowar's later efforts. While Manowar was releasing underwhelming albums like "The Triumph of Steel" and "Louder Than Hell," Wizard demonstrated their mastery, achieving a level of quality that Manowar could only aspire to.

"Bound by Metal" is a true masterpiece, where everything falls perfectly into place. The song lengths are just right, avoiding the pitfalls of being overly long and bloated. The album expertly utilizes a few simple riffs, riding them until just before they wear out their welcome—a skill that Manowar could rarely manage. The riffs are heavy and atmospheric, delivering both crushing savagery and a sense of grandeur. The production is crisp, featuring a crunchy guitar tone and well-balanced vocals.

Sven D'Anna's vocals are a standout, almost rivaling Eric Adams in quality. His proud, soaring tenor can shift into vicious growls or ascendant shrieks, reminiscent of vocalists from the Greek and Italian epic metal scenes, yet more charismatic and talented. The art of repetitive riffing is masterfully executed here; the riffs are so compelling that they never feel overplayed. The sparse but excellent soloing reaches Blind Guardian levels of brilliance.

The overall quality of the album is undeniable. The standout tracks include "Dark Wings," "Mighty Wizard," "A Nice Day to Die," and "Believe in Metal."

In this context, Wizard's third album takes its rightful place alongside "Bound by Metal" as a testament to the band's skill and dedication to the heavy/power metal genre. If you're a fan of Manowar or power metal in general, this album is a must-listen. It does not disappoint, and "Bound by Metal" remains a classic metal album that deserves a spot in your collection. It would be nice to see it released on vinyl at some point, so the timeless tracks like "Hammer, Bow, Axe And Sword," "Dark Wings," "Mighty Wizard," "Unicorn" (which has a QUEEN aesthetic in its opening for me), etc., can be savored once again.

Nick Parastatidis