Wizard - Head Of The Deciever

*=Staff's pick	Evitum Okol Magic Potion* Head of the Deciever* Collective Mind Defenders of Metal* Calm of the Storm Demon Witches* Iron War* The First One Revenge* True Metal*

Genre	Power Metal	Sven D'Anna	Vocals
Tracks	11	Michael Maass	Guitar
Runningtime	47 Min.	-	Guitar
Label	BOR	V. Leson	Bass
Release	11 June 2001	Snoppi	Drums
Country	Germany	-	Keyboards
Similar artists	Grave Digger, Lost Horizon, Brainstorm

"We play metal for all metalheads, and not for rotten poser rats". Wizard's own words, and I guess that pretty much sum up what these guys are up to: straight on, basic, old-school metal without compromises. Songtitles like "Defenders of Metal", "Revenge", "True Metal",and add to that some demons, a few wizards and magic potions. Sounds somewhat familiar, or...? :)

This constellation plays true, compromiseless metal straight from the heart in the same veins and spirit as Lost Horizon and Grave Digger - we're talking basic, back to the roots metal here. These guys don't waste much energy on making a fuzz - they pick up their instruments, plug them in and deliver the goods. All the ingredients that make a really good german power metalalbum are here: strong and groovy riffing, pounding drums, and good bridges, choruses and singalong parts in a good flow.

Manowar was a long time the alone fighters for true metal, as they so well put it themselves, but I believe they have to start watching out, while there still is time. Manowar is releasing a new album later this spring, and after that one we'll see who is still kings of the crown. The genre is growing stronger all along, and this is yet another good example of that.

It doesn't feel especially good comparing these guys to Manowar, but yet I have to mention it, cause the similarities are there but not at all remarkable. Wizard know what they are doing, and they're doing it good, but without claiming to be some supermusicians. Simplicity is supreme in many cases, and Wizard is a perfect example of that.

This album is very solid and consistent in it's style from track to track. They set a steady course from the start, and they manage to keep it throughout the album. If True Metal is what you crave, than this album will definitly appeal to you.