Infernal Overdrive

It has been a little while since we last heard from the Los Angeles based heavy metal outfit known as White Wizzard. Their last album was released five years ago in 2013 and they have been quiet ever since. Some speculated whether they were still around but here they come, back with their fourth full-length to present more heavy metal wizardry. White Wizzard are clearly not shy about showcasing their influences. Make of that what you will but the Priest and Maiden influences are pretty obvious. The opening vocal lines are straight out of “Painkiller” and much of the guitar work on “Storm the Shores” is incredibly reminiscent of classic Maiden. They are back with a new drummer and they are kicking things into Infernal Overdrive!

Most of the riffs are ¾ paced with occasional bursts of speed and/or heaviness but the solos are by far the fastest and best part of the guitar work. They are your classic speedy shred-style solos where the guitarist shows off their skill and how many notes they can play while still retaining a small amount of melody. We have all heard them before but that does not make them any less impressive or any less fun. “Voyage of the Wolf Riders” has an opening straight out of “To Tame A Land,” which actually makes the song even more glorious. The riffs are pretty tasty despite not being overly speedy or heavy. There are lots of catchy riff melodies and plenty of fun moments to be had on this album, especially given the extended length of most of the songs. “Critical Mass” has a couple awesome solos and two different sections that sound like something Voivod or Mekong Delta would write. There are some mysterious middle-eastern guitar melodies at the beginning of “Pretty May” as well as the end of “Cocoon” that are very well-done. Their appearance seems random but somehow, they do not sound out of place. The end of “Cocoon” plays directly into “Metamorphosis” so it winds up making total sense and it provides an additional wrinkle for the album.

The bass really stands out on this album with some great lines accented by its constant audible presence. Not that many heavy metal bands have the bass this high in the mix but kudos to White Wizzard for doing it and doing it really well. New drummer Dylan Marks fits the band’s sound incredibly well and has moments of great percussion and offers plenty of hard-hitting beats but also a healthy amount of variety in the longer songs like “Voyage of the Wolf Riders” and “The Illusion’s Tears.” You cannot help but admire the contrast between the infectious beats in “Pretty May” or the title track and the slow-burn, cymbal-heavy beauty of “The Illusion’s Tears.” His prowess behind the kit is no surprise to anyone who knows the underground metal scene in San Diego as Dylan also drums for Eukaryst and Raise the Guns and is great in both bands. Dylan may not be the most impressive guy behind the kit but he does everything well and his ability to change styles and vary tempos really enhances the quality of this album.

This album sees the return of longtime vocalist Wyatt “Screaming Demon” Anderson to the mic. He has a history of only being around for short periods of time but the band is better with him at the mic than without him so we can only hope he is back for good. Wyatt has an incredible range as a vocalist. Most of the time, he uses his great middle high range but he hits some serious high notes on “Critical Mass.” He also has a touch of grit in his voice and hits the occasional lower note. Couple all of this with the serious power he possesses and it makes him a tremendous vocalist who fits White Wizzard’s sound brilliantly. He does not blow you away with raw power or insane falsettos but Wyatt has the range and versatility to maximize the tools he does have and give you a fantastic vocal performance.

This album is an incredibly captivating listen, which is remarkable given that it runs just over an hour. Infernal Overdrive is a heavy metal album with teeth and one that packs an incredible punch while also displaying plenty of variety. There may not be a story here but there are plenty of twists and turns on this album in addition to the awesome, straight up heavy metal it contains. It is still very early in the year but this album could easily be a top 10 favorite among fans throughout the year.

- originally written for The Metal Observer