Celestial Wizard is a metal band from the USA originally forming in 2011 as Solarfall, releasing two E.P.’s under that moniker before changing their name to Celestial Wizard in 2018 and releasing the band’s debut album ‘A Sinister Awakening’ later that same year. ‘Winds Of The Cosmos’ is the band’s sophomore album and was released in 2022.
‘Winds Of The Cosmos’ is a unique album in that it appeals to fans of both power metal and death metal! Yes, readers – power and death!
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For the band combine both styles to deliver a cacophony of sound that is powerful, aggressive, brash, brutal and harsh – yet offers a surprisingly melodious intent. Possibly one of the most unusual mixes of metal styles ever, Celestial Wizard launched ‘Winds Of The Cosmos’ (the album) with the two-and-a-half minute intro ‘Andromeda’, building a crescendo of anticipation, going from pop music synth sounds through a death metal growl and into a heavy, aggressive overture that leads straight into album opener (proper) ‘Revenant’…
…and an emphatic pummelling that you’d normally expect from a thrash metal band! But here we are – in the company of power come a heavy come death metal band, storming on with the sound of traditional metal filling the air, complimented by a throaty vocal performance. Which becomes a growled performance as ‘Revenant’ romps to a conclusion. I’ll admit there’s not much death metal to be heard yet, the band moving on quickly with the thundering ‘Ice Realm’ pushing forth with pace and power – and a harsh death metal vocal delivery. This is all change across the chorus break – sublime! The difference between the opening double is like chalk and cheese – but they both utilise power and death metal qualities making for a very intriguing listen. And inquisitiveness as to what is to follow.
The sound of heavy chugging metal greets the listener as ‘Powerthrone’ growls into life and moves forth at a mid-tempo pace. The amount of melodious intent Celestial Wizard incorporate into their root sound is incredible, the chorus to ‘Powerthrone’ a glorious clean sung affair that is both catchy and sing a long-able. A short, epic and atmospheric intro gives life to the blistering speed of ‘Eternal Scourge’ and its fire and brimstone approach to heavy metal. Add to that the most aggressive vocal display heard so far, and ‘Eternal Scourge’ is a ferocious and feisty rampage of thrash come death come power come heavy metal! What a blend – thoroughly unique! With momentum now in full flow, the band move menacingly on with the sinister-sounding ‘Steel Chrysalis’, keeping the pedal to the metal and headbang ability at the top level. Concertgoers and mosh pit maniacs will have so much fun at a Celestial Wizard gig – the energy and atmosphere are electrifying!
A thundering pace unfolds quickly as ‘Undead Renegade’ hits hard like a wrecking ball in full flight! And with a thrash metal feeling rising high, the band are in a highly aggressive mood, displaying the ferocity of thrash with the growls of death and the melodious intent of power metal.
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Celestial Wizard are not only unique, but they are also dealing the biggest surprise of the year so far. Normally, death metal isn’t my thing – yet in small doses, like sprinkled across this album, it’s fair game. And I like this album! And what the…! As ‘Cyberhawk’ opens, I recognise a striking similarity to the intro for the Bonnie Tyler classic ‘Holding Out For A Hero’ (originally recorded for the soundtrack to the 1984 film Footloose, later appearing on Bonnie’s 1986 album ‘Secret Dreams And Forbidden Fire’). And although there are further similarities as the song progresses, it does take on an identity of its own, a melodic death metal identity! The band continues their fascinating mix of metal styles – so much diversity on show it’s incredible. Bringing the album to a close is the eight-minute-long title song ‘Winds Of The Cosmos’ – a culmination of every style of metal the band have up their collective sleeves. A thorough menace-fuelled vocal performance overlays the traditional heavy metal gallop, Celestial Wizard planting one “foot on the monitor” as they close out their sophomore album in style.
Overall, a surprising yet succulent mix of power and death metal, ‘Winds Of The Cosmos’ is undeniably unique.
TRACKLIST
Andromeda
Revenant
Ice Realm
Powerthrone
Eternal Scourge
Steel Chrysalis
Undead Renegade
Cyberhawk
Winds Of The Cosmos
Celestial Wizard: Facebook
Release Year: 2023
Label: self-released
Category: Album
Country: USA
Reviewed by Iron Mathew for Frenzy Fire and Metal-Roos.
