Umair Gaines
Sleep and Electric Wizard are both doom/stoner metal bands with dedicated fanbases. Electric Wizard is known for their heavy, progressive, and experimental sound, while Sleep is recognized for pioneering the classic stoner/sludge genre and for their consistent tone, production, and riffs. Electric Wizard has been accused of Nazi fetishism and working with neo-Nazi labels, while Sleep has been linked to antisemitism through their guitarist. Both bands have their own distinct styles and have made significant contributions to the metal genre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sleep: Stoner metal, doom metal, sludge metal |
| Electric Wizard: Stoner metal, doom metal, occult doom | |
| Albums | Sleep: Holy Mountain, Dopesmoker |
| Electric Wizard: Dopethrone | |
| Style | Sleep: Minimalism, classic stoner/sludge sound |
| Electric Wizard: Heavy, progressive experimentalism, "sleazy" stoner imagery | |
| Live Performance | Sleep: Boring |
| Electric Wizard: Energetic | |
| Band Member Ideology | Sleep: Guitarist is an antisemitic conspiracy theorist |
| Electric Wizard: Nazi fetishists, work with neo-Nazi labels |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep's Dopesmoker album
Sleep wrote and rehearsed the song over four years, often in unconventional locations such as motel rooms and friends' houses. Band member Matt Pike described the songwriting process as long and arduous. The song's lyrics were inspired by the band members' cannabis use, with lines like "Drop out of life [with bong in hand]".
The album's release was fraught with challenges. Sleep refused to allow the album to be edited for radio play or broken into multiple tracks, leading to a stalemate with their label, London Records. The band eventually broke up, and during the next decade, several unofficial bootlegs and edits of the album were released, including one titled Jerusalem.
However, in 2012, Southern Lord Records released a remastered and re-illustrated reissue of Dopesmoker, featuring new artwork by artist Arik Roper. This reissue was well-received, with Pitchfork praising its louder and clearer audio, and it finally fulfilled the band's original vision for the album.
Dopesmoker has received critical acclaim, with Stylus Magazine's Stewart Voegtlin calling it a "monstrous rock ode to stinky buds". It has been praised for its production value and has been described as an influential album in the stoner metal genre, with Sleep cited as pioneers of the classic stoner/sludge sound.
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Electric Wizard's heaviness and attitude
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 music incorporates stoner and sludge elements, with lyrics exploring the occult, witchcraft, horror films, and cannabis. Their sound has been described as "heavy, progressive experimentalism" and "soundtracks for the apocalypse."
The band's name, Electric Wizard, is derived from two Black Sabbath songs: "Electric Funeral" and "The Wizard". This choice of name reflects the band's musical influences and their desire to create a heavy sound. In an interview, guitarist-vocalist Jus Oborn acknowledged the influence of '60s horror rock 'n' roll and early Serge Gainsbourg on their ghostly reverb. Oborn also expressed his interest in collaborating with a classic horror film composer like Ennio Morricone or Goblin.
Electric Wizard's attitude and behaviour offstage have also contributed to their reputation for heaviness. In the years following the release of Come My Fanatics, the band members encountered various legal troubles and injuries. Oborn admitted that they "weren't very nice people" during that time, embracing their misfortunes as part of their heavy metal image.
Electric Wizard's live performances further showcase their heaviness and attitude. In an interview, Oborn mentioned that the band has always been "too loud" for permanent rehearsal spaces. Their live album, 'Black Magic Rituals & Perversions Vol. 1', was recorded during the COVID lockdown without an audience, capturing the raw and intense energy of their performance.
Electric Wizard's music and image have had a significant impact on the doom metal genre. Their combination of heavy riffs, atmospheric soundscapes, and lyrical themes has earned them a dedicated following, with their albums considered influential within their genre.
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Sleep's consistency
Sleep and Electric Wizard are both sludge metal bands with dedicated fanbases. When comparing the two bands, some fans have noted that Sleep has fewer albums but is more consistent in terms of tone, production quality, and riffs. Sleep's minimalism and tone have been praised, with their album "Dopesmoker" being considered a classic in the stoner/sludge metal genre.
In contrast, Electric Wizard is known for their heavy, progressive, and experimental sound, which some fans find more engaging and emotionally captivating. However, some listeners have noted that Electric Wizard's music can be hit or miss, with a higher degree of variability in their discography.
In summary, Sleep's consistency lies in their ability to consistently deliver high-quality sludge metal music with a distinct and recognizable style. Their focused approach to songwriting, production, and tone has resulted in a body of work that, while smaller in quantity than Electric Wizard's, is highly regarded for its coherence and impact on the genre.
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Electric Wizard's Nazi fetishism
Electric Wizard is a doom metal band that has been accused of Nazi fetishism. The band has been called out for their use of Nazi imagery and their association with Nazi-themed labels and artists. While some fans defend the band, arguing that their use of Nazi imagery is purely for shock value or to tap into the biker counterculture aesthetic of the 1970s, others argue that the band is contributing to a culture of normalizing Nazi symbolism and providing a platform for actual Nazis.
Electric Wizard's Nazi imagery has been a part of their brand since their first release in 2012. The cover artwork of their debut release, "Symbols of Great Power," featured a demon with a swastika on its forehead and a large swastika next to it. The record was released as a cassette to a secret quantity, adding to the air of mystery and taboo surrounding the band. Since then, Electric Wizard has continued to invoke Nazi imagery in their promotional materials and album artwork, such as their single "Lucifer's Satanic Daughter," which featured at least two artists who extensively use Nazi imagery in their branding.
The band has also come under fire for their association with Nazi-themed labels and artists. Electric Wizard has released music on labels known for re-releasing the works of underground Nazi-themed bands, such as Black Magick SS, a band that extensively uses Nazi imagery, including swastikas and the logo of the Schutzstaffel (SS). Electric Wizard has also collaborated with artists signed to these labels, further entangling themselves in the Nazi-themed metal scene.
While some fans defend Electric Wizard, arguing that their use of Nazi imagery is purely for shock value or to tap into a certain aesthetic, others argue that the band is contributing to a culture of normalizing Nazi symbolism. One Reddit user commented, "Here's a rule about associating with Nazis. Nazis aren't like other groups. If you start associating with Nazis, Nazis will figure out you tolerate Nazis... They don't have a lot of places to be openly Nazi without harassment and expulsion, so they will congregate there... The thing about Nazis is that their core ideology is mass genocide of everyone who opposes them."
Additionally, some fans have expressed disappointment and concern about the band's choices, with one fan commenting, "I don't think they're actual, literal Nazis or Nazi sympathizers... but intent versus impact should always be considered." Another fan urged others to stop supporting the band, saying, "You should do the same if you don't want your culture to be stolen little by little by thugs like they did with the skinhead culture."
In conclusion, Electric Wizard's Nazi fetishism has sparked controversy and debate among fans and the metal community at large. While some argue that the band is simply using taboo imagery for shock value, others worry that the band is providing a platform for actual Nazis and contributing to a culture that normalizes and tolerates Nazi symbolism and ideology.
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Stoner/sludge sound vs heavy, progressive experimentalism
The debate between Sleep and Electric Wizard has divided fans of the stoner/sludge metal genre. While Sleep is praised for its consistency, tones, production, and riffs, Electric Wizard stands out for its heaviness, attitude, and progressive experimentalism. Electric Wizard is credited with changing the doom genre and appealing to fans of heavy, progressive sounds. On the other hand, Sleep's classic stoner/sludge sound, minimalism, and tone are also admired.
Stoner/sludge metal is characterised by a slow tempo, distorted and down-tuned guitars, and a focus on riffs rather than lyrics. The genre is often associated with a relaxed and warm vibe, lacking the urgency or call to action found in other metal genres. Stoner bands typically use fuzz pedals, creating a warmer and less harsh sound than the distortion pedals used in sludge metal.
Sludge metal, a subgenre of metal, emerged as a slower and grittier alternative to the fast-paced hardcore punk of the early 1980s. Bands like Black Flag, Fang, and Flipper pioneered the use of slower tempos, distorted guitars, and longer song structures, which became characteristic of sludge metal. The genre took influence from doom metal, with its heavy bass and lyrical themes exploring social issues and the Vietnam War.
Over time, sludge metal diversified and evolved, incorporating elements from other genres. Bands like Neurosis, Baroness, and Mastodon merged sludge with progressive metal, while others combined it with crust punk, anarcho-punk, and grindcore. This evolution led to a range of sub-genres and sounds within the sludge metal scene, showcasing the experimental nature of the genre.
The comparison between Sleep and Electric Wizard highlights the diverse preferences within the stoner/sludge metal community. While Sleep embodies the classic stoner/sludge sound, Electric Wizard appeals to fans seeking heavier and more progressive experimentalism. This contrast showcases the evolution of the genre and the varying interpretations of "heaviness" in music.
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Frequently asked questions
Both Sleep and Electric Wizard are considered heavy bands, but Electric Wizard is generally considered to be the heavier of the two, with their music described as "heavy, progressive experimentalism".
Some notable Sleep albums include "Holy Mountain" and "Dopesmoker".
Some notable Electric Wizard albums include "Dopethrone".
Yes, some other bands that are similar to Sleep and Electric Wizard include Bongzilla, Weedeater, Black Sabbath, Acid Bath, Candlemass, and Bongripper.
![The Wizard [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71eSB0AyMwL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
