White Wizzard
White Wizzard | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Heavy metal |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Earache Records |
| Members | Jon Leon Lewis Stephens Giovanni Durst |
| Past members | Wyatt "Screamin' Demon" Anderson James-Paul Luna James J. LaRue Tyler Meahl Jesse Applehans Peter Ellis Erik Kluiber Michael Gremio[citation needed] Chad Bryan[citation needed] |
| Website | White Wizzard |
White Wizzard are an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2007. The band has released two EP's and an album, Over the Top released in 2010.[1][2][3]
History
White Wizzard was formed in Los Angeles in the summer of 2007,[4] as Jon Leon's response to the "angsty" and "screamo" metal[5] that dominated the heavy metal scene at the time:
"I saw so many old school metalheads at these summer festivals, but what else is out there? Who else can they look forward to seeing after they leave the show that can really give them the same thrill? They're all still here, but there's nothing in today's scene that moves them anymore - nothing that inspires them. I think we can change that."
In late 2007, White Wizzard recorded their self-titled EP, which would be released in mid-2008.[4] They also filmed a music video for the EP's opening track "High Speed GTO",[6] which won the award for Best Music Video in the 2008 Action On Film Festival.[7][8] Although the band was doing relatively well, artistic tensions within the group led to Leon firing all members of the band, who went on to form a similarly styled band, Holy Grail.[9]
During mid-2008, Leon was contacted by Earache Records and asked to put the song "High Speed GTO" on Earache's compilation album Heavy Metal Killers.[6][10] Motivated by this opportunity, Leon doubled his search efforts and eventually formed the second line-up of White Wizzard.
The band toured North America with Korpiklaani, Týr, and Swashbuckle in January 2010.[1] The North American tour was followed by a short UK tour with Edguy in March 2010, which began at Hammerfest II.[3] White Wizzard had their live debut with their third line-up featuring Michael Gremio and Lewis Stephens at the famous Download Festival in June of that same year, opening the Ronnie James Dio stage on Sunday.[11]
In March 2010, White Wizzard was nominated for Best New Artist in the Metal Hammer Golden Gods 2010.
On the 5th of October 2010, Earache Records released their new single, Shooting Star, on YouTube.[12]
Line-up
The first incarnation of White Wizzard was hastily assembled and featured bassist Jon Leon, vocalist James Paul-Luna, guitarist James LaRue and drummer Tyler Meahl.[4] After releasing their debut EP, Leon and the rest of the band disagreed on what musical direction to take and split apart.[8] Jon reformed the band with a second incarnation featuring all of the current band members except for Giovanni Durst, who took over previous drummer Jesse Applehans' drum duties after a short while.[4][8]
In April 2010, it was announced that guitarist Erik Kluiber had been replaced. At the same time, vocalist Wyatt Anderson left the band as well. The new line-up was revealed on June 8, 2010, with Michael Gremio, formerly of Nebraskan power metal band Cellador on vocals, and Welsh guitarist Lewis Stephens, replacing Kluiber.[11]
As of September 2010 the lead vocals have been taken over by Peter Ellis.[13]
As of February 2, 2011, the second vocalist Wyatt Anderson has returned to the band, replacing a departing Peter Ellis.[14][unreliable source?]
White Wizzard has worked exclusively with Producer/Engineer, Ralph Patlan, since 2008.[citation needed]
On June 27, 2011, the band announced that they have parted ways with Wyatt Anderson once again.[15]
Musical style
White Wizzard is notable among many heavy metal bands for drawing influence from older, traditional heavy metal bands[16] such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Dio.[5] These influences include melodic guitar riffs combined with aggressive drumming and wailing or singing vocals.
Discography
- White Wizzard (2008, EP)
- High Speed GTO (2009, EP)
- Over the Top (2010)
- Flying Tigers (2011)[17]
References
- ^ a b "White Wizzard Prepare To Go "Over The Top" With New Album and Tour In 2010". Hot Indie News. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
- ^ "White Wizzard on MySpace Music". White Wizzard. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
- ^ a b "EARACHE NEWS: WHITE WIZZARD "OVER THE TOP" OUT NOW IN EUROPE". Earache News. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ a b c d Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Biography—White Wizzard". Allmusic. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
- ^ a b "YouTube - White Wizzard Interview". YouTube. 2009-11-23.
- ^ a b "White Wizzard Putting Finishing Touches On New Album". Blabbermouth.net. 16 September 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
- ^ "Action On Film International Film Festival - 2008 Results". Action On Film. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
- ^ a b c "White Wizzard". Earache. 2009-11-23.
- ^ Bennet, J. "Holy Grail: L.A. shred lords bring back NWOBHM like it never left", Decibel, No. 065 (March 2010), p. 30.
- ^ "Encyclopaedia Metallum - White Wizzard". Encyclopaedia Metallum. 2009-11-28.
- ^ a b "White Wizzard Unveils New Lineup". Blabbermouth.net. June 8, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjJAEz__Ol4
- ^ http://www.rocksins.com/2010/09/pete-ellis-leaves-the-more-i-see-official-statement-7042/
- ^ http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=186581274698378&id=162771687454
- ^ "WHITE WIZZARD Parts Ways With Singer WYATT ANDERSON". Blabbermouth. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ "White Wizzard High Speed GTO Review - Review of High Speed GTO by White Wizzard". Jay H. Gorania. 2009-11-28.
- ^ White Wizzard - Flying Tigers