WIZRD
Second album from Norwegian supergroup delivers some serious magic.
Elements KARISMA
A
product of the Jazz Conservatory in Trondheim, and featuring members of Spidergawd, Krokofant, Megalodon Collective and Soft Ffog, WIZRD restate the case for Norway as the modern era’s undisputed leader in jazz/ prog fusion. The combined force of musicianship and invention is as strong as ever, but the stratospheric vocal entry to opening track GT, Me & My 6610 reveals that WIZRD have a secret weapon in singer/bassist Hallvard Gaardløs, whose vocal personality complements their dazzling dexterity. With its slick groove and cosmic keys, that track kicks off a trio of numbers that immediately impress. The ecstatic riffs and blown-to-the-sky vocals of Mesmerized suggest that prime Yes are a big influence on WIZRD’s sound – there’s even some Steve Howe-esque fretboard trickery. The Void hits a similar, Fragile-era sweet spot, but there’s versatility here, too – the trippy electronic pulse of Fylkesvei 33 transmutes into juddering motorik, while the heavier, funkier You’re Exposed! features some necktwisting synth. Elements climaxes with the Queen-channelling, mystic macho confessional of Fire & Flames. A band to watch.