It’s been a while I’ve been noticing so many bands reviving the old sonancies of Psychedelic Rock, or let’s say, Proto Metal. The sound of the 1970’s is definitely back. Not that I complain. I mean, it’s so good to listen to some treats that I thought I would never listen again. Or, only in some of my nostalgic albums.
Here we’ve got Moon Wizard with “Sirens,” an album that with less effort could be labeled as Doom Metal, but, as far as I am concerned, this labels doesn’t fit well to what I’m listening here. Sami Wolf’s vocals take the album to a place where bands as Jefferson Airplane have been much more than Doom Metal. Of course, some slants of Black Sabbath can be heard here and there, especially when it comes to the guitars. But there is some kind of melodic intent in tracks as “Epoch” that takes the album away from Doom Metal. However, the initial guitar riffs of “Desert Procession” can tell otherwise if my dear child of the night doesn’t listen to the vocals.
If “Sirens” were recorded in 1970, for instance, it would be labeled as Psychedelic Rock or Heavy Rock without a shadow of doubt. In fact, this is the greatest merit of this album, it sounds as if it were from that epoch. There is no better compliment to this kind of band. To many it might sound easy to recreate the 1970’s sound, but, in reality, it’s very difficult because it’s not only the equipment, but also the way of recording, playing, and songwriting. The guitar leads in “Crestfallen” prove me right. Also, the initial chords of “Phantom” where Black Sabbath can be reminded. From where I’m standing, the sound of the Wah pedal Moon Wizard use all the time is such a thing. It’s the kind of sound I just love and I never get tired of.
Moon Wizard recreate the great times of the so called Proto Metal, if I may call it this way. “Sirens” is an album of recreating the magnificent sounds of 1970’s when music was much simple and better. To some this kind of music might sound awkward in 2025, but great music doesn’t have a right epoch.
Moon Wizard “Sirens” was released on January 10th via Hammerheart Records.
Track Listing:
- Meteor
- Mothership
- Magnolia
- Luminare
- Epoch
- Desert Procession
- Crestfallen
- Phantom
- Sunday
Watch “Mothership” official music video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!