That’s Wizard, with one Z, from Germany: not to be confused with the double Z outfit, from Finland, or any of the countless other, similarly monikered bands. Apt title though, as six of the eleven tracks sport “death” or “die” in their name! ‘Angel Of The Dark’ is a meandering tip of the hat to orchestrated, symphonic constructions (including rainfall, spoken Italian voiceovers and operatic voices).

By contrast, ‘War Butcher’ utilizes a heretofore unheard gruff (borderline death metal) vocal, otherwise, it’s the usual high speed, pumping double bass, Teutonic metal, ala Grave Digger or Running Wild (witness ‘Electrocution’). That being said, the guitar-only intro to yet another ‘Angel Of Death’ owes much to countrymen Wolf Hoffman (Accept). ‘Black Death’ is the most consistently aggressive tune, with plenty of guitar and infectious chorus, while ‘One For All’ has a synthesizer undercurrent absent elsewhere. The concluding ‘We Won’t Die For Metal’ seems to be a response to Manowar boss Joey DeMaio’s braggadocios statement in the German press (which got a lot of play), delivered in the Upstate New Yorkers’ traditional stylings. Solid outing.