Molly Ayala
Electric Wizard are an English stoner/doom metal band from Dorset, England, formed in 1993 by Jus Oborn. The band has released nine studio albums and has toured worldwide, performing at numerous festivals. Electric Wizard's music incorporates stoner and sludge elements, with lyrics focusing on themes such as the occult, witchcraft, horror films, and cannabis. The band has gained a cult-like fanbase, and their modern sound has influenced modern doom metal and occult rock. Electric Wizard's followers appreciate their raw and heavy sound, as well as their anti-trend approach to music.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Band name | Electric Wizard |
| Band type | English stoner/doom metal |
| Band origin | Wimborne in Dorset, England |
| Band formation year | 1993 |
| Band founder | Jus Oborn |
| Band members | Jus Oborn, Liz Buckingham, Justin Greaves, Rob Al-Issa |
| Band's debut studio album | Electric Wizard |
| Band's debut year | 1994 |
| Band's record label | Witchfinder Records via Spinefarm Records |
| Band's latest album | Time to Die |
| Band's latest album release year | 2014 |
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What You'll Learn
Electric Wizard's sound and influences
Electric Wizard is a British doom metal/stoner metal band formed in 1993 in Wimborne, Dorset, England. The band's sound is characterised by slow, heavy, and fuzzy music with lyrics that often involve marijuana, the occult, witchcraft, H.P. Lovecraft, and horror films. They are known for their unapologetic embrace of stoner culture, with band members often mentioning lighting bongs in interviews and even incorporating the sound of them lighting up into their songs.
Electric Wizard's brand of doom metal incorporates stoner and sludge elements, with some of their songs featuring growled vocals and a wall of distortion. Their music has been described as bleak and chaotic, with apocalyptic lyrics. The band has also been known to incorporate drone elements into their sound, with the thick and meaty sound of their amped guitars producing a heavy drone effect.
The band's lyrics are influenced by horror films, Weird Tales-era writers such as H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard, the occult, witchcraft, and marijuana. Electric Wizard's name is a combination of two classic Black Sabbath songs: "Electric Funeral" and "The Wizard". The band has also cited Black Sabbath as a musical influence, along with bands like Bathory and Celtic Frost.
Electric Wizard's sound has evolved since their formation, with their 1997 album "Come My Fanatics..." introducing the stoner and sludge elements that have come to define their style. Their 2000 album "Dopethrone" is considered their magnum opus and a landmark in the doom metal genre. The band has also experimented with their sound, as evidenced by their 2002 album "Let Us Prey", which was described as their most experimental record at the time.
Electric Wizard has a dedicated fan base, particularly within the doom metal and stoner metal genres. Their influence can be heard in the music of countless similar bands that followed in their wake.
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Band members and line-up changes
Electric Wizard is an English stoner/doom metal band from Dorset, formed in 1988 under the name Lord of Putrefaction. The band has recorded nine studio albums and has toured worldwide, performing at numerous festivals. The band's name was inspired by two Black Sabbath songs: "Electric Funeral" and "The Wizard".
Initially, Electric Wizard was a three-piece band featuring guitarist-vocalist Jus Oborn, bassist Tim Bagshaw, and drummer Mark Greening. However, in August 2003, Oborn announced a new four-piece lineup, including himself, his wife and former Sourvein guitarist Liz Buckingham as a songwriter/second guitarist, drummer Justin Greaves (of Iron Monkey), and bassist Rob Al-Issa. This new lineup recorded "We Live" in 2004, just days after Buckingham joined the band. Oborn attributed the addition of Buckingham as crucial given the departure of his previous writing partner, Bagshaw.
In November 2007, Electric Wizard released "Witchcult Today". The following year, in 2008, bassist Rob Al-Issa left the band and was replaced by Tas Danazoglou. In November 2010, the band released their seventh album, "Black Masses", produced by Liam Watson to critical acclaim. On March 31, 2012, Electric Wizard debuted another new lineup in London, featuring bassist Glenn Charman and drummer Simon Poole. This lineup performed at the 2012 Maryland Deathfest, their first show in the United States in ten years.
In 2014, Electric Wizard announced their latest album, "Time to Die", which was released on their own label, Witchfinder Records, via Spinefarm Records. This album marked the return of founding member Mark Greening on drums, their first collaboration since 2002's "Let Us Prey". In December 2014, the band announced a US/Canada tour for 2015, their first full tour of the US since 2002.
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Live performances and tours
Electric Wizard is an English stoner/doom metal band from Dorset, UK. They have a distinct, traditional doom metal sound that incorporates stoner and sludge traits, with lyrics that revolve around the occult, witchcraft, H.P. Lovecraft, horror films, and marijuana.
Electric Wizard's live performances are described as psychedelic, trance-inducing, and a "must-see." Their performances are known for their visual elements, including smoke machines and projections of '70s horror flicks with skulls, Satanic rituals, and naked women on large screens behind the band.
The band has a history of setbacks during their live performances, including Oborn suffering a collapsed eardrum and later severing a fingertip, and Greening breaking his collarbone. Despite these challenges, Electric Wizard has continued to tour and perform worldwide.
In 2002, Electric Wizard released their fourth album, "Let Us Prey," and embarked on a North American tour that raised tensions among band members. Despite announcing their split, the band continued and parted ways with Greening and Bagshaw in 2003. They were replaced by Justin Greaves, Rob Al-Issa, and Liz Buckingham, and the new lineup toured the album in Australia and England in 2004.
Electric Wizard has performed at various notable festivals, including Maryland Deathfest in 2010 and 2012, Hellfest in 2022, and Roadburn Festival in 2013. They have also played at venues such as the HMV Forum in London, where they debuted new members bassist Glenn Charman and drummer Simon Poole in 2012.
The band's live performances have received acclaim from fans, with praise for their sound and stage presence. Their songs "Incense for the Damned," "Time to Die," and "Funeralopolis" are said to be particularly impactful during live shows, with the latter often used as a closer.
Electric Wizard continues to tour and perform, with upcoming concerts and tour dates announced for 2025-2026.
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Albums and releases
Electric Wizard is an English stoner/doom metal band from Dorset, formed in 1988 under the name Lord of Putrefaction. The band has recorded nine studio albums, two of which are considered genre landmarks: Come My Fanatics (1997) and Dopethrone (2000).
Electric Wizard's debut self-titled album was released in 1995 under Rise Above Records. The music was in the style of traditional doom metal and received positive reviews. In the same year, they released the song "Demon Lung" as a split single with Our Haunted Kingdom. In 1997, they released Come My Fanatics, which introduced the stoner and sludge elements that have come to define the band's sound. Later that year, Man's Ruin Records released the Chrono.Naut EP. Following this, Electric Wizard released the Supercoven EP on Bad Acid Records in 1998.
In 2000, the band recorded and released Dopethrone, which was described by AllMusic as a "dirge masterpiece" and is regarded as their magnum opus. In 2002, Electric Wizard released their most experimental record at the time, Let Us Prey. Following the release, the band embarked on a North American tour, after which it was announced that the band was breaking up. However, Electric Wizard did a UK tour with Cathedral soon after, with Justin Greaves on drums.
In 2004, the new lineup recorded We Live, just days after Buckingham joined the band. In 2012, Electric Wizard played in London at the HMV Forum, debuting its newest members, bassist Glenn Charman and drummer Simon Poole. A 7-inch EP titled Legalise Drugs and Murder was available for sale at the show and was later released worldwide. In 2014, the band announced that their latest album, Time to Die, would be released on their own label Witchfinder Records via Spinefarm Records. The album was produced by guitarist Jus Oborn and released on 29 September 2014.
Electric Wizard planned to release their latest album, Wizard Bloody Wizard, in 2016, but this did not happen. The album was eventually released on 17 November 2017.
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Electric Wizard's impact and reception
Electric Wizard is an English stoner/doom metal band from Dorset, formed in 1988. The band has recorded nine studio albums, two of which are considered landmarks in the genre: "Come My Fanatics" (1997) and "Dopethrone" (2000). Their music incorporates stoner and sludge elements, with lyrics focusing on witchcraft, horror films, and cannabis, among other themes.
The band's sound and image have had a significant impact on the heavy metal and stoner rock genres. They are known for their raw and barbaric sound, with little regard for modern production values, instead opting for vintage amps and decaying pedals to create their unique sound. Their conviction and anti-trend approach have inspired other bands, making them one of the most influential acts in the British stoner scene. Their music and image have been described as "mind-melting," "savage," and "psychedelic," with a mix of raw guitar tones and a fluid three-piece rhythm section, creating a much-emulated sound in the global underground acid sludge scene.
Electric Wizard's live performances have also contributed to their impact and reception. Their early shows were described as "incendiary," and their headlining set in Birmingham coincided with a massive thunderstorm, which some interpreted as an omen or a blessing. The band has also curated and headlined festivals, such as the 'Electric Acid Orgy' at the 2013 Roadburn Festival.
Despite their musical success, Electric Wizard has encountered setbacks and controversies. During the years following the release of "Come My Fanatics," band members experienced health issues and legal troubles, including arrests for arson and robbery. The band also went through several lineup changes, with Greening and Bagshaw leaving in 2003, and Oborn suffering a collapsed eardrum and severing a fingertip.
In conclusion, Electric Wizard has had a significant impact on the heavy metal and stoner rock genres, with their unique sound, image, and controversial lyrics resonating with fans and influencing other artists. Their live performances and headlining festivals have solidified their status as one of the most influential bands in the British stoner scene.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric Wizard fans are often referred to as "wizards" or "witches".
Electric Wizard is an English stoner/doom metal band from Dorset, England, formed in 1993.
Electric Wizard's most popular album is considered to be Dopethrone, released in 2000, which is regarded as the band's magnum opus.
