My first encounter with Indianapolis' Wizard Tattoo was when I covered debut full-length Fables of the Damned for Ghost Cult last year. That album came on the back of 2022's S/T EP, since when we've had the Living Just for Dying EP which came out in July this year and now in quick succession the One of These Knives EP. Its clear then from all this activity that multi-instrumentalist Bram the Bard (Wizard Tattoo's progenitor) has hit a purple patch of creativity, the type that would make the Melvins proud.
According to the promotional notes, this latest release showcases Bram's desire to “recapture the raw energy that defined the project’s debut self-titled EP” making it “a return to the unfiltered raw sound that started this journey.” However looking through the list of influences I can tell that this isn't gonna be a bog standard by the numbers Stoner/Doom release and makes me excited at the prospect of what musically awaits me.
'Varsak of Man', the longest track on the record at over six minutes wastes absolutely no time with its blatant Kyuss style Stoner grooves, though whereas that band had a Fuzzier laid back approach, Wizard Tattoo is far more rooted in overt OTT Metal and Hard Rock. Fausto Aurelius' Vocals for instance recalls early Tom Araya on early Slayer albums such as Show No Mercy while the wild yet fluid Guitar playing tips its hat to Michael Schenker of UFO and Iron Maiden's Smith, Murray and Jers. Its also worth pointing out the High on Fire Celtic Frost intonations too. I might not the biggest Metal guy in the world, but it can't be denied that this is a superbly blistering start to the album. 'A Wizard's Blade' is far mellower with regular contributor Djinnifer's beautifully ethereal Vocals giving one serious Black Sabbath 'Planet Caravan' vibes. There is a dreamy sensibility to the track with an otherworldly quality that seemingly also taps into the best 60's Psychedelia had to offer ala Jefferson Airplane and Love, albeit with slightly more sombre, darker tones.
'My Second Knife Fight' is a sequel to 'Wizard Knife Fight (At a Bar) from the aforementioned S/Tdebut EP and is brilliantly offbeat with the eccentric spirit of bands such as Primus. It wouldn't be surprising for instance to learn that that band's Les Claypool had made an uncredited appearance. There's an exciting unpredictability too in the vein of a Mike Patton project which makes it all the more intriguing but also it makes you think of Post-Punks/Post-Hardcore legends the Minutemen who by the time of their final album Three Way Tie for Last were already streamlining their sound somewhat. Anyhow, all you need to know is that this is pure sonic bliss. Final track 'Edge of Reprisal' is a short instrumental piece with exquisite Cello and acoustic Guitar working perfectly in tandem. Remember the haunting 'Grand Pappy Du Plenty' from the first Red Hot Chilli Peppers album (back when they were good), that's what I'm somewhat reminded of here. Its a really well composed, intelligent piece of songwriting that highlights what I was stating at the beginning of this review about Wizard Tattoo being more than just another by the numbers Stoner/Doom outfit. A superb conclusion to the EP.
The fact that Wizard Tattoo is simply one guy handling the instrumentation, arrangements etc is what makes this release so remarkable. There's a stunning amount of vision, variety and experimentation which is desperately lacking in today's oversaturated Stoner/Doom scene and which consequently makes this such a brilliantly engaging listen.
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