Over the Top

White Wizzard's full-length debut, Over the Top, released in 2010 under Earache Records, is forever imprinted in my mind's eye as, along with Enforcer's Diamonds and Skull's Fist's Heavier Than Metal EP, it firmly introduced me to the wonderfully blooming scene which is now commonly known and referred to as the new wave of heavy metal, or NWOTHM for short.

At the time I was skating on thin ice, living on the streets of Vancouver, B.C. etching a miserable living out of dumpster diving and wondering how or when it would all end. Sure, they're were good times and good finds (like the 200$ in that snowboarding jacket or the odd Zip-loc bag full of weed) but most of the time, it was a miserable existence. What kept me afloat during this dark period of my life were all the great bands and killer tunes I gleaned while scrabbling by under those incessantly rainy and grey, wintry skies. Many a stupendously drug fueled night was spent hunkering beneath a bridge (clichéd but true), my sole and prized possessions a sleeping bag and 4GB Sony MP3 player - both of which I defended fiercely - reveling and escaping with the latest order of the day, be it by Cauldron, Striker, Holy Grail or any of the above mentioned. That said, I distinctly remember Over the Top as it simply sounded so fresh and genial, like a promise of warmer climes and times to come.

The self-titled opener kicks off with such freedom-instilling fury and grooving grace...how can one not stick around for more?! The fluid and highly melodic twin guitar harmonies, backed by wickedly mellifluous and resounding bass lines and relaxed but throttling drum beats, propelled me towards dawn on an ever-surging wave of optimism without which I'd have succumbed completely to my demons - and probably not the festive, leather and stud clad, goatee'd rocker depicted on the cover but rather, the downright nefarious and narcotic, destructive kind. At this point I ask ye, how can any music lover not fall for the engagingly fist-pumping Iron Maiden/Judas Priest overtones contained herein, be they in the form of the immensely catchy and gripping, back-to-back highlights, "40 Deuces" and "High Roller", which yield super cool (albeit cheesy to some) choruses and downright sizzling and freewheeling, minor, pentatonic based solos when they're expected - and needed most?! The spectacular lead trade-offs and backing bass line on "40 Deuces" give way to an outstanding post solo bridge so portentously delivered to the tune of the Wyatt "Screaming Demon" Anderson's killer vocal line:

"Buy the ticket - Take the ride - Pedal to the floor
Gonzo lust for life - Kick ass! Alive forever more!!"

"High Roller" is as swiftly melodic and timeless as its Enforcer doppelgänger or past classic worthies such as Riot's "Outlaw" or Ozzy Osbourne's "Flying High Again". Man, it's also right up there with Holy Grail's "My Last Attack", Monument's "Carry On" and Midnight Malice's "Flying Low" as far as brain searing, ticklish adulation goes! In other words, this gem carved a similar unforgettable path in the mind as ruts from rain water.

Although the Wizzard's original front man, John Paul Luna, and drummer, Tyler Meahl, went on to form Holy Grail after the equally suave High Speed GTO EP, founder and guitarist/bassist Jon Leon did a fine job of hiring on Anderson, as his dynamic and upper-ranged vocals readily matched the band's non-committal charm and endearing West Coast flair. Over the Top in this sense was a major step forward for the L.A. metallers - detractors and naysayers should do well to remember that, even though the band's chemistry suffered terribly from bad blood over the next few years and releases.

Tracks such as "Live Free Or Die" and "Strike of the Viper" serve as further liberating wrecking crew/highway trolling anthems, while the eminently revved up "Out of Control" takes the cake in terms of sheer celebrated brawn and heavy metal hurrah; as much as I dig the first four tracks, this one's my favorite due to its all-out, ballsy opening bass line and slickly sliding shuffle riff, which is a dead ringer for Angel's Witch's "Sweet Danger", as well as the crown rattling, percussion tap-arama on behalf of Jesse Appelhans. Anderson's sharp as a tack verses and overall alacrity also contribute to make this one a winner on all fronts, not least of which its monstrous momentum and neo-classical bridge as well as fire-branding, searing solo section. Suffice to say, I replayed this track - with its timeless and oh-so poignant refrain - countless times when I was down and out.

I'll now lay off the wanton fan-boy-ism a bit and explain why Over the Top fails to attain the elusive 95% score. "Strike of the Viper"'s lyrics are a mite trite: "Can you feel the strike of the viper/6-6-6 (2x)/Come and join the cult of the snake/Satan's calling you/Come and join the legions of Hell/Fight to keep it true!". (Insert despondently head-shaking emoji here!). In this regards, "Death Race" also fails to win first prize but to its credit, its crankily chromatic instrumentation fits it like a heavy metal vanity plate in a similar way as Strattson's "Speed Machine" or Savage Master's "Death Rides The Highway". The leads are particularly feral and exotic, which counts as a big plus. Alternatively, the quixotic "Iron Goddess of Vengeance" and closing, titular track (note its unapologetically rollicking bass line!) are along the lines of future WW fare, that is, progressive and experimental, so prominent on its latest release, last week's Infernal Overdrive, which positively features Anderson and original (from the EP) shred master James J.LaRue back on the map. To his credit (and it wouldn't do not to honor him alongside his confrères), Erik Kluiber provides solid electric axe contributions on "High Roller" and "Striker of the Viper"....

All in all, White Wizzard's Over the Top is a very memorable release for me; there aren't really any weak tracks as they all rock with a capital R. Although a few possess slightly less pizazz the winners mentioned above make this one a keeper. As well, the double CD version is totally worth it as it features fantastic, firmly nailed covers of Cloven Hoof's "Gates of Gehenna" and Judas Priest's "Heading out to the Highway". May the metal Gods bless and protect those who pay it due respect!

"White Wizzard's here to rock you all
In a raging metal storm
Riding on the second wave
Of a new electric storm

Rebel souls and rivet heads
Will make the hammer fall
Break the chains and go insane
Heavy metal is the law!"