Biography All Music Guide Wikipedia
All Music Guide:
Often referred to as the "heaviest band in the universe," England's Electric Wizard have consistently redefined the preconceived thresholds of a detuned guitar chord with their peerless doom metal achievements -- this despite an often interpersonally troubled, if musically triumphant, career. Formed in darkest Dorset by vocalist/guitarist Justin Oborn (previously with Lords of Putrefaction), bassist Tim Bagshaw, and drummer Mark Greening, and initially known as Thy Grief Eternal (briefer still, simply Eternal), Electric Wizard made their debut with 1993's "Demon Lung" single -- a split release with fellow doomsters Our Haunted Kingdom (who later evolved into Orange Goblin). Released by Cathedral linchpin Lee Dorrian's doom-specialized Rise Above Records, the single paved the way for Electric Wizard's eponymous debut a year later, and, although it didn't quite revolutionize the genre (actually, it contained pretty standard doom fare for the time), the album still made for a rather impressive start.
Released in 1996, sophomore album Come My Fanatics... was another matter entirely, however, effectively rewriting the doom rule book with the sheer volume and distortion contained in its planet-sized riffs, and rattling the underground metal scene to its core in the process. Unfortunately, its seismic aftershocks would also be felt by the members of Electric Wizard, who, due to various poorly explained injuries (Greening was dealt a broken arm, while Oborn first lost a fingertip in a domestic accident and, less surprisingly, later suffered a ruptured eardrum!), managed only a set of EPs -- 1997s Chrono.Naut and 1998's Supercoven -- in the next three years. Other sources suggested the band's absence had a lot more to do with crippling weed consumption and/or simple lack of motivation, but all speculation was duly obliterated by the long-awaited arrival of the band's third magnum opus, 2000's superlative Dopethrone. Like its predecessor four years prior, Dopethrone was a revelation in terms of absolute mass applied to amazingly memorable songwriting. In fact, it so effortlessly bridged the stylistic gaps between doom, sludge, stoner, horror, and, at times, even space metal, that 2002's unusually efficiently recorded follow-up, Let Us Prey, often felt like a collection of outtakes from it. And yet, Let Us Prey was anything but a throwaway effort, and helped further Electric Wizard's cause worldwide even as the group was crumbling from the inside.
Tensions were mounting and the trio's ill-fated American tour that summer pushed the growing animosity between Oborn and his cohorts to the breaking point, and their final date in Philadelphia was actually billed as Electric Wizard's farewell show. This, as it turned out, proved to be a premature publicity stunt, but the band's next tour of the U.K. (in support of Cathedral) would see Greening replaced by former Iron Monkey drummer Justin Greaves, and ended with Bagshaw's long-rumored departure as well. Curiously, he quickly reconnected with Greening in a new group called Ramesses, while, for his part, Oborn took a few months off to ponder his next move. In time, he decided to move forward with a new, expanded lineup featuring ex-13 and Sourvein guitarist Liz Buckingham, bassist Rob Al-Issa, and the aforementioned Greaves, and the reborn Electric Wizard released their fifth full studio album in 2004's aptly named We Live. Electric Wizard had another lineup change in 2006 when Greaves was replaced by Shaun Rutter, who made his debut on their sixth album, 2007's Witchcult Today. The musical chairs would continue in 2008 when Al-Issa left the band and was replaced by bassist Tas. With their lineup once again solid, Electric Wizard released Black Masses in 2010.
Wikipedia:
Electric Wizard are a doom metal band from Dorset, England that formed in 1993. The band have since recorded seven albums, two of which are now considered to be landmarks of their genre: Come My Fanatics..., and Dopethrone. Electric Wizard have a distinct yet traditional doom metal sound that incorporates stoner and sludge traits, with lyrics typically involving the occult, witchcraft, H.P. Lovecraft, horror films and marijuana. During 2003, founding members Tim Bagshaw and Mark Greening left to form the band Ramesses, making guitarist/vocalist Jus Oborn the only founding member who remains.
History
Pre-Electric Wizard (1988-1993)
Before the band was named Electric Wizard, the origins can be traced back to 1988 when Jus Oborn was in the band Lord of Putrefaction. They put out three demo tapes from 1989–1991 and also did one split with Mortal Remains. The name was changed to Thy Grief Eternal after Adam Richardson left the band.
In 1992, the band was renamed Thy Grief Eternal, they only put out one demo in 1992 called ...On Blackened Wings. They later changed the name to Eternal after James Evans left the band.
In 1993, the band once again changed their name to simply Eternal and put out two demos - Rehearsals (July) (1992) and finally - Lucifer's Children 1993. After Gavin Gillingham left the band Jus Oborn started Electric Wizard.
Formation & Debut Album (1993-1996)
Electric Wizard began in Wimborne in Dorset, England during 1993, when guitarist Jus Oborn left the band Eternal/Thy Grief Eternal and joined with bassist Tim Bagshaw and drummer Mark Greening. The name Electric Wizard is taken from two Black Sabbath songs "Electric Funeral" & "The Wizard".
In 1995 the band signed to Rise Above Records and released their self-titled debut album, Electric Wizard. The music was in the vein of traditional doom metal, and it received positive reviews. Later that year they released the song "Demon Lung" as a split-single with Our Haunted Kingdom (later to become Orange Goblin).
Come my Fanatics... & Chrono.Naut (1997-1999)
In 1997 the band recorded and released, Come My Fanatics..., which saw them add the sludge and stoner elements that have come to define Electric Wizard's sound. Later that year, Man's Ruin records introduced the band to American audiences with the Chrono.Naut EP.
Setbacks & Supercoven (1999)
In the three years following the release of Come My Fanatics..., the members of Electric Wizard encountered a series of setbacks. There were legal issues – Oborn was arrested for possession of cannabis, Greening was arrested for assaulting a police officer, and Bagshaw served a sentence for robbery. Health problems also plagued the band – Oborn suffered a collapsed eardrum during a concert, and later severed a fingertip in a domestic accident. Greening also broke his collarbone in a motorcycle accident. During this time the band released the Supercoven EP on Bad Acid Records.
Dopethrone (2000)
After recovering from their complications, Electric Wizard finally recorded and released a third album, Dopethrone, in 2000. This album expanded upon themes from Come My Fanatics... and pushed doom metal into unknown territories.
Let Us Prey & Band Tensions (2002-2003)
Their next album, entitled Let Us Prey, was released in 2002. It was Electric Wizard's most experimental record, adopting an aggressive sound similar to sludge metal. Following the release the band embarked on an ill-fated North American tour that produced tensions between band members. The final concert of the tour was announced as their last, but this would prove a premature announcement. Electric Wizard subsequently returned to the UK for a tour with Cathedral, on which Greening was replaced by Justin Greaves (of Iron Monkey). In April 2003 Greening and Bagshaw left the band to form Ramesses.
Line up Changes & We Live (2003-2006)
In August 2003, Oborn revealed Electric Wizard's new line-up – drummer Greaves, second-guitarist Liz Buckingham (of 13 and Sourvein), and bassist Rob Al-Issa. This new lineup recorded We Live in 2004, which featured a similar sound to Let Us Prey, but with a much "tighter" style. The general response from critics and fans has been mixed. The band toured England and Australia in support of the album, also playing a show at the 2005 Roadburn Festival. Greaves left the band in 2006 and was replaced by Shaun Rutter.
Witchcult Today & More Line up Changes (2007-2009)
In November 2007, Electric Wizard released Witchcult Today. It was recorded entirely using vintage audio equipment from the 1970s. In 2008 bassist Rob Al-Issa left the band and was replaced by Tas Danazoglou. Witchcult Today has earned the band its most favourable reception since 2000.
Black Masses (2010-2011)
In November 2010, Electric Wizard released their latest album: Black Masses. In support of the new album; the band played a small tour starting around Halloween with Moss as a supporting band.
Line up Change, EP Collection, Return to US & New Album (2012-Present)
On 31 March 2012, Electric Wizard played in London at the HMV Forum with new members - Glenn Charman on bass and Simon Poole on drums. At the gig for sale was a new 7" EP entitled Legalise Drugs and Murder. After the gig it was announced that it would be released world wide along with more 7" EPs to come to compansate for the wait of the new album expected in 2012.
Electric Wizard will be playing their first U.S. show in ten years at the 2012 edition of Maryland Deathfest
