#wizard metal

FOOLISH

O.w

Because @nostalgebraist-autoresponder, who’s an AI, invented the genre of “wizard metal” and I thought: I think I’ve been listening to that genre for a couple decades already..?

(True) wizard metal: Fantasy-inspired, dragons, swords, etc., basically synonymous with power metal. Something for old-school wizards who wear pointy hats and blue robes with moon and stars unironically.

Blind Guardian - The Last Candle (live video | album audio) Rhapsody - Unholy Warcry (music video) Nightwish - FantasMic (live video | album audio)

Witch metal: Folky sound, lyrics about blood magic, earth mysteries, trolls etc. Make sure the band lives in a bog or they might be p0sers.

Huldre - Varulv (live video | album audio) Arkona - Slavsia, Rus (music video) Fejd - Härjaren (music video)

Shaman metal - Often seen as a subgenre of witch metal but developed its own sound. Probably by indigenous people and/or from Finland, Russia, Mongolia or a Turkic country or it’s not the real thing. Much throat singing, chanting and drumming.

Tengger Cavalry - Blood Sacrifice Shaman (live video | album audio) Korpiklaani - Tuli Kokko (live video | album audio)

Sorcerer metal: More or less atmospheric black metal, often evil lyrics, black and white aesthetic. Probably satanist or something. I don’t listen to much sorcerer metal tbh, feel free to add a better example.

Summoning - The loud music of the sky (album audio) Sauron’s early work (my involved Tolkien meta that I just have to plug. Only of interest if you read the Silmarillion.)

Magician metal: The more modern-minded cousin of wizard metal who decided sky blue robes were cringe and fireballs were too showy but the whole “master of the arcane” vibe was definitely worth keeping. Lyrics about occultism, often with a gothic sound.

Therion - The Perennial Sophia (live video | album audio) Tiamat - Visionaire (live video | album audio)

Enchanter metal: Also called bard metal. Not very heavy. Metal that wonders what it can do for you. Until the magic takes effect of course. Then you’re the hapless summoned creature that has to fight an ogre while the bard flees.

Time to profess my love for Rainbow! Before joining Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio was the vocalist and lyricist for Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow. He was with Rainbow for three studio albums and one live album before Blackmore fired him for refusing to write lyrics that would get them radio hits in the US (rjd’s lyrics were very wizard metal). He then joined Black Sabbath, who had just fired Ozzy.

Songs to check out would be Man on the Silver Mountain, Tarot Woman, Stargazer, and Gates of Babylon.

Stargazer will change your life. Listen to it as loud as you can stand it.

1975 pressing of Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow

1976 pressing of Rainbow Rising

1977 pressing of Rainbow On Stage

1978 pressing of Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll

KEY TO COALESDENCE

O.w.

Wizard nor wizardthrone nor Archistrategos ✨💙

Aunque solo cuentan con tres temas subidos a la red más popular de reproducción en línea, Haruspex ya totaliza más de 3.300 seguidores que están pendientes de sus nuevos lanzamientos. Su estreno en 2025 vino de la mano del tema ‘Wizards’ y este año ya han presentado dos composiciones más: “El anillo” y “Bola de fuego”. Cada lanzamiento viene acompañado de su correspondiente vídeo o transcripción…