Trystan Casey
Electric Wizard is an English stoner/doom metal band from Dorset, formed in 1988. The band has released nine studio albums, two of which are considered genre landmarks: Come My Fanatics (1997) and Dopethrone (2000). Electric Wizard's music incorporates stoner and sludge elements, with lyrics exploring themes such as the occult, witchcraft, horror films, and cannabis. Despite setbacks, including health issues, the band has achieved success and a dedicated fan base, known for their loud, slow, and grimy sound. Their live performances and albums, such as their 2014 release Time to Die, have gained popularity and critical acclaim, solidifying their impact on the metal genre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Formation year | 1988 |
| Genre | Stoner/doom metal |
| Number of studio albums | 9 |
| Albums considered genre landmarks | Come My Fanatics (1997), Dopethrone (2000) |
| Band members | Jus Oborn, Tim Bagshaw, Mark Greening |
| Song lyrics | Occult, witchcraft, H.P. Lovecraft, horror films, cannabis |
| Band name origin | Combination of two Black Sabbath songs: "Electric Funeral" and "The Wizard" |
| Debut album | Self-titled, released in 1995 |
| Latest album | Time to Die, released in 2014 |
| Song lyrics | References to wizards, dragons, space, and the cosmos |
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What You'll Learn
Electric Wizard's sound and influences
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 brand of doom metal incorporates stoner and sludge elements, with lyrics focusing on the occult, witchcraft, horror films, and cannabis.
The band's sound and image are heavily influenced by stoner culture and the members themselves are known for their love of cannabis. This influence is evident in their music, with "Come My Fanatics" introducing the stoner and sludge elements that define Electric Wizard's sound. Despite the groovy stoner rock vibes usually associated with the band, their lyrics often deviate from the typical stoner rock themes of "shagging and cars". For example, the song "We Hate You" is described as "an indiscriminate spray of bile against everyone".
Electric Wizard's music is also characterized by its slow, heavy, and grimy sound. They have gained a reputation for being louder, slower, and grimier than their contemporaries, setting them apart from other bands in the metal genre. Their success and dedicated fan base can be attributed to this unique style and their ability to create a world that fans can immerse themselves in.
The band's name, Electric Wizard, is derived from two Black Sabbath songs: "Electric Funeral" and "The Wizard". This tribute to Black Sabbath further emphasizes the band's roots in doom metal and stoner rock.
Electric Wizard's influence can be seen in the book "Come My Fanatics: A Journey into the World of Electric Wizard" by Dan Franklin, which explores the band's chaotic and drug-addled world through interviews and conversations with its members. The book provides insight into the band's legacy and the cult following that formed around their music, particularly the album "Dopethrone".
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Their self-titled debut album
Electric Wizard is the eponymous debut studio album by the English doom metal band Electric Wizard. The album was initially released in 1994 through Rise Above Records and later bundled with Come My Fanatics... in 1999 for a United States release via The Music Cartel. The album has been remastered and re-released several times since 2006.
Electric Wizard takes influence from stoner/doom and traditional doom metal, with a heavy influence from Black Sabbath. The band's name is a combination of two Black Sabbath songs ("Electric Funeral" and "The Wizard"), and the album's artwork and font are also inspired by Black Sabbath's self-titled debut. The album received positive reviews from music critics, with Eduardo Rivadavia of AllMusic praising the band for setting "a new standard for slothful, detuned heavy metal noisemaking".
The album features notable tracks such as the self-titled "Electric Wizard", "Stone Magnet", "Mountains of Mars", and "Behemoth". While the band was reportedly unhappy with the production and album artwork, the debut has been described as a "competent debut album" and "another classic example of a band trying to find its own voice while still desperately clinging to its influences".
The release of Electric Wizard marked the return of the band after a four-year period of self-imposed exile due to drug abuse, arson, robbery, and near-death experiences. Electric Wizard pushed back against modern production values, opting for battered old vintage amps and decaying pedals to create their intense and influential sound.
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The band's name origin
Electric Wizard is an English stoner/doom metal band from Dorset, formed in 1988. The origins of the band's name go back to 1993 when the band adopted the name "Electric Wizard", which was derived from two Black Sabbath songs: "Electric Funeral" and "The Wizard". In an interview, guitarist-vocalist Jus Oborn confirmed the origin of the band's name, stating, "Is the name Electric Wizard made out of two Black Sabbath song titles? Hahahaha, yeah it is!".
The band's debut album, released in 1995, was well-received and marked the beginning of their success in the doom metal genre. Electric Wizard's unique sound incorporates stoner and sludge elements, with lyrics exploring themes such as the occult, witchcraft, H. P. Lovecraft, horror films, and cannabis. Their music is known for being loud, slow, and grimy, with a strong emphasis on theatrics.
Over the years, Electric Wizard has faced various setbacks, including health issues and lineup changes. Despite these challenges, they have released nine studio albums as of 2025, with two of them, "Come My Fanatics" (1997) and "Dopethrone" (2000), being considered landmarks in their genre. "Dopethrone" is particularly acclaimed, with AllMusic describing it as a "dirge masterpiece."
Electric Wizard has also gained recognition for their live performances, including headlining the 2012 Maryland Deathfest and the 2013 Roadburn Festival. They have a dedicated fan base that appreciates their music and the world they have created through their lyrics and aesthetic. In 2014, they played their largest club show in the North of England at the 1,500-capacity Ritz in Manchester.
The band's influence extends beyond their music, with a book titled "Come My Fanatics: A Journey into the World of Electric Wizard" by Dan Franklin offering an insightful look into the band's world, including their chaotic and drug-addled intensity.
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Live performances and tours
Electric Wizard is a British doom metal band from Dorset, UK, formed in 1993. The band's live performances are known for their heavy and intense sound, incorporating elements of stoner and sludge metal, with lyrics exploring themes such as witchcraft, black magic, and horror. Their live shows often feature visual elements such as projections of horror and Satanic imagery, creating an atmosphere that some fans have described as feeling like a "black mass".
The band has toured extensively throughout their career, including tours in North America, the UK, and Australia. In 2002, they released their fourth album, "Let Us Prey," and embarked on a North American tour to support its release. Despite announcing their split during this tour due to tension between band members, Electric Wizard continued with a new lineup and toured Australia and England in 2004.
In recent years, Electric Wizard has continued to perform live and tour worldwide. They played at the Download Festival in 2022 and Hellfest in 2022 and 2023. The band also has upcoming tour dates listed for 2025-2026, with fans eagerly awaiting their performances.
Reviews of Electric Wizard's live performances vary, with some fans praising the band's intense and heavy sound, while others have found their shows disappointing. Some fans have noted that the band's early performances were sometimes "hit or miss," but their more recent shows have been described as "precise and heavy." The band's live shows are known for their use of smoke and pyro effects, adding to the sinister and dangerous atmosphere they create.
Electric Wizard's live performances are not for the faint of heart, but for those who enjoy their unique blend of doom, stoner, and sludge metal, their concerts offer a captivating and immersive experience.
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Electric Wizard's legacy and impact
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 genre landmarks: "Come My Fanatics" (1997) and "Dopethrone" (2000). Their brand of doom metal incorporates stoner and sludge elements, with lyrics exploring themes such as the occult, witchcraft, horror films, and cannabis. Electric Wizard's sound is characterised by being "louder, slower, and grimier" than their contemporaries, and their music and image are known for embracing themes of Satanism and drug use.
The band's name was derived from two Black Sabbath songs: "Electric Funeral" and "The Wizard". Electric Wizard's music has received critical acclaim, with their album "Dopethrone" being hailed as a "dirge masterpiece" and their 1997 album "Come My Fanatics..." introducing the stoner and sludge elements that would come to define their signature sound.
Electric Wizard has also achieved commercial success, headlining festivals such as the 2012 Maryland Deathfest and the 2013 Roadburn Festival. They have a dedicated fan base, with their 2014 album "Time to Die" being released on their own label, Witchfinder Records. The band has also endured setbacks, including health issues and line-up changes, but they continue to perform and release music, with their most recent album, "Wizard Blood," released in 2023.
The band's legacy is evident in their influence on the doom metal genre and their ability to gather a dedicated fan base over their 25+ year career. Their music and image have become synonymous with a particular style of doom metal, and their impact can be seen in the continued interest in their work, as evidenced by the book "Come My Fanatics: A Journey into the World of Electric Wizard" by Dan Franklin, which explores the band's world and their enduring appeal. Electric Wizard's music continues to resonate with fans, and they remain an influential and respected act within the metal community.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric Wizard is an English stoner/doom metal band from Dorset. The band was formed in 1988 under the name Lord of Putrefaction. They have recorded nine studio albums, two of which are considered genre landmarks: Come My Fanatics (1997) and Dopethrone (2000).
Electric Wizard's brand of doom metal incorporates stoner and sludge elements, with lyrics focusing on the occult, witchcraft, horror films, and cannabis. Their music is known for being loud, slow, and grimy, and they have become a cult band with a dedicated fan base.
Electric Wizard's self-titled debut album, released in 1995, is considered a classic in the vein of traditional doom metal. Their album "Dopethrone" is often considered their magnum opus and a "dirge masterpiece." Other notable releases include "Come My Fanatics" (1997), "Supercoven EP" (1998), and "Time to Die" (2014).
