History, band members, best album, influences – you’ll find it all inside our Electric Wizard 101 guide
Electric Wizard, hailing from Dorset, England, aren’t just a band: they’re an institution. Known for low-end fuzz, massive riffs, and a penchant for all things grim, the band has been a staple of the doom/stoner scene for decades.
But what if you’re just getting started? Where to begin with Electric Wizard? What’s the best album? Will your mom approve? Let’s get down to basics and start from the beginning.
By the end of this, you’ll know enough to be totally conversational in all things pertaining to ELECTRIC WIZARD…
Members: Past & Present
- Jus Oborn: The mastermind behind Electric Wizard, Jus Oborn has been the band’s vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and occasional bassist since its inception. His down-tuned, fuzzy riffs and haunting vocals are the backbone of Electric Wizard’s signature sound.
- Liz Buckingham: Joining the band in 2003, Liz Buckingham’s lead guitar work has been an integral part of Electric Wizard’s sound since the release of “We Live.” Her playing style perfectly complements Oborn’s, creating a wall of heavy, psychedelic doom.
- Other Notable Members: Throughout the years, Electric Wizard has seen a rotating cast of members, including founding drummer Mark Greening, bassist Tim Bagshaw, and various other drummers and bassists who have contributed to the band’s evolution.
Discography: A Legacy of Doom
Genre-Defining Albums
Electric Wizard’s discography boasts two albums that have been hailed as genre landmarks: “Come My Fanatics…” (1997) and “Dopethrone” (2000).
These records showcase the band’s ability to craft monolithic, cannabis-fueled doom that has inspired countless acts in their wake.
Other Notable Releases
From their self-titled debut (1994) to their most recent opus, “Wizard Bloody Wizard” (2017), Electric Wizard has consistently pushed the boundaries of heavy music.
Albums like “Let Us Prey” (2002), “Witchcult Today” (2007), and “Time to Die” (2014) further solidified their status as doom metal icons.
History: A Journey Through the Occult and Heavy Riffs 📜
The Early Years
Electric Wizard’s origins can be traced back to 1988 when Jus Oborn formed the band Lord of Putrefaction.
I found all the Lovecraft when I was a child and a lot of biker and scifi stuff, too. I started to dig horror books and comics from a very early age. I was also obsessed with witchcraft and satanism. I loved a book called Satan’s Child by Peter Cave, and I loved satanic movies like The Devil Rides Out. Yeah, over and over again the same obsessions resurface. I guess these things really impacted on my consciousness because of my youth and drugs. It’s kept a thematic and aesthetic continuity throughout the Wizard history because of that, so that’s cool and very honest to ourselves as well.
Jus Oborn
After several name changes and lineup shifts, Electric Wizard was born in 1993, taking their name from two Black Sabbath songs.
Rise to Prominence
With the release of “Come My Fanatics…” and “Dopethrone,” Electric Wizard gained a dedicated following and critical acclaim.
“Vinum Sabbathi” immediately takes hold and sets the tone for much of what’s to follow: drugs and the occult. “Now I’m a slave to the black drug, forced to serve this black god,” bellows Oborn. It encapsulates addiction in the form of servitude to a higher being, as well as someone’s failure to achieve a higher plane of consciousness through substances. The track is a strong opener and signals the descent into the abyss.
Metal Injection
Despite personal setbacks (drugs, getting arrested, fighting, and drinking way too much for way too long) and lineup changes, the band continued to release new material throughout the 2000s.
For me, they never quite topped Dopethrone, it was definitely a case where lightning was put in a bottle and this – as all music fans know – does not happen very often at all.
Recent History and Legacy
The 2010s saw Electric Wizard continue to tour and release new music, cementing their legacy as one of the most important bands in the history of doom metal.
With a new biography, “Come My Fanatics: A Journey Into The World Of Electric Wizard,” released in 2023, the band doesn’t look like they plan on throwing the towel in any time soon.
As for a new Electric Wizard album? Who knows. It’s been awhile, so I reckon we’ll get at least one more from these grim bastards before they call it a day.
Complete Discography
Electric Wizard (1994)
- Release Date: 1994
- Label: Rise Above Records
- Notable Tracks: “Black Butterfly,” “Electric Wizard,” “Mourning Prayer”
Overview: The debut album set the tone for Electric Wizard’s journey. With its heavy, slow riffs and dark themes, it was a solid introduction to their doom metal sound, laying the groundwork for what was to come.
Come My Fanatics… (1997)
- Release Date: 1997
- Label: Rise Above Records
- Notable Tracks: “Return Trip,” “Wizard in Black,” “Doom-Mantia”
Overview: This album marked a significant step forward in the band’s evolution, with longer, more developed tracks that showcased their ability to create enveloping atmospheres of dread and heaviness.
Dopethrone (2000)
- Release Date: 2000
- Label: Rise Above Records
- Notable Tracks: “Funeralopolis,” “Vinum Sabbathi,” “Dopethrone”
Overview: Often hailed as Electric Wizard’s magnum opus, “Dopethrone” is a cornerstone of doom metal. Its colossal sound, combined with themes of witchcraft, horror, and drug use, created a cult classic that continues to influence the genre.
Let Us Prey (2002)
- Release Date: 2002
- Label: Rise Above Records
- Notable Tracks: “A Chosen Few,” “Master of Alchemy,” “Priestess of Mars”
Overview: This album continued to explore the depths of doom, though with slightly more experimental and varied song structures. It’s known for its dense, foreboding soundscapes and intricate arrangements.
We Live (2004)
- Release Date: 2004
- Label: Rise Above Records
- Notable Tracks: “Eko Eko Azarak,” “We Live,” “Flower of Evil a.k.a. Malfiore”
Overview: Marking the introduction of a new lineup, “We Live” brought a fresh energy to the band’s sound. It retains the classic Electric Wizard heaviness but with a renewed focus on melodic elements and lyrical themes.
Witchcult Today (2007)
- Release Date: 2007
- Label: Rise Above Records
- Notable Tracks: “Witchcult Today,” “Satanic Rites of Drugula,” “The Chosen Few”
Overview: Recorded with vintage equipment for an analog sound, “Witchcult Today” is a return to form, combining catchy riffs with an occult rock influence. It’s both accessible and deeply rooted in the band’s doom metal foundations.
Black Masses (2010)
- Release Date: 2010
- Label: Rise Above Records
- Notable Tracks: “Black Mass,” “Venus in Furs,” “Patterns of Evil”
Overview: “Black Masses” continues the thematic and musical motifs of its predecessors while experimenting with tempo and dynamics. It’s a hypnotic blend of doom, psychedelic rock, and metal.
Time to Die (2014)
- Release Date: 2014
- Label: Spinefarm Records
- Notable Tracks: “I am Nothing,” “Time to Die,” “SadioWitch”
Overview: This album delves into darker, more nihilistic themes, reflected in its title. The sound is raw, unfiltered, and as heavy as ever, showcasing Electric Wizard’s ability to evolve while staying true to their core.
Wizard Bloody Wizard (2017)
- Release Date: 2017
- Label: Spinefarm Records
- Notable Tracks: “See You in Hell,” “Wicked Caresses,” “Hear the Sirens Scream”
Overview: With “Wizard Bloody Wizard,” the band aimed for a more stripped-down, rock’n’roll approach to doom. It’s a departure from their heavier, more suffocating sound, demonstrating versatility and a willingness to experiment.
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