Electric Wizard
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Electric Wizard are an English stoner/doom metal band from Dorset. Formed in 1988 under the name Lord of Putrefaction, the band have recorded nine studio albums, two of which have been considered genre landmarks: Come My Fanatics… (1997) and Dopethrone (2000).[2][3] Electric Wizard's brand of doom metal incorporates stoner and sludge traits, with lyrics focusing on the occult, witchcraft, H. P. Lovecraft, horror films and cannabis.
Key Information
History
[edit]Pre-Electric Wizard (1988–1993)
[edit]
The origins of Electric Wizard go back to 1988 when Jus Oborn formed the band Lord of Putrefaction. They put out three demo tapes from 1989 to 1991 and also recorded a split album with Mortal Remains. In 1992, the name was changed to Thy Grief Eternal after Adam Richardson left the band. They put out one demo under this name titled On Blackened Wings. In 1993, James Evans left the band and they once again changed their name, shortening it to Eternal. The band released two demos under this name. After Gavin Gillingham left the band, Oborn started Electric Wizard. The recordings from this era were issued on the Pre-Electric Wizard 1989–1994 compilation in 2006.
Formation, debut album, Come My Fanatics, Dopethrone and Let Us Prey (1993–2003)
[edit]
The band adopted the name Electric Wizard during 1993, and featured guitarist-vocalist Jus Oborn, bassist Tim Bagshaw, and drummer Mark Greening. The band's name was taken from two Black Sabbath songs: "Electric Funeral" and "The Wizard". Oborn remarked, "Is the name Electric Wizard made out of two Black Sabbath song titles? Hahahaha, yeah it is!"[4]
In 1995, the band signed to Rise Above Records and released their self-titled debut album.[5] The music was in the vein of traditional doom metal, and received positive reviews. Later that year, they released the song "Demon Lung" as a split-single with Our Haunted Kingdom (later to become Orange Goblin).
In 1997, the band recorded and released Come My Fanatics…, which introduced the stoner and sludge elements that have come to define Electric Wizard's sound.[5] Later that year, Man's Ruin Records released the Chrono.Naut EP.[5] Following the release of Come My Fanatics... Electric Wizard released the Supercoven EP on Bad Acid Records in 1998 and then recorded and released Dopethrone in 2000, which was described by Allmusic as a "dirge masterpiece"[6] and is regarded as the band's magnum opus.[7] Kerrang! has noted that despite the "groovy" stoner rock vibes usually associated with the band, lyrics for songs like We Hate You were more like "an indiscriminate spray of bile against everyone" than the typical stoner rock themes of "shagging and cars".[8]
During the three years following the release of Come My Fanatics..., the members of Electric Wizard encountered a series of setbacks, with Oborn suffering a collapsed eardrum during a concert and later severing a fingertip while laying a carpet.[9] Greening broke his collarbone in an accident.[10] Speaking to Kerrang! in July 2009, Jus Oborn remembered the days of the recording:
At the time, we were pretty bad people. I got arrested for arson of a car, outside a police station. Tim [Bagshaw] went to nick a crucifix off a church roof so we could use it onstage, then slipped, fell off through the window and sliced his arm open. He got community service for that. Then Mark [Greening] got nicked for robbing an offie. He smashed the window, nicked a bottle of whiskey, then sat there drinking it outside! We weren't very nice people, to be honest. We were feeding off that shit at the time. It made us feel like we were more of a heavy metal band.[9]
Their next album, Let Us Prey, was released in 2002. It was Electric Wizard's most experimental record to date.[7] Following the release, the band embarked on a North American tour that raised tensions between band members. It was announced that the band was breaking up after the last concert of the tour. However, Electric Wizard did a UK tour with Cathedral soon after, with Justin Greaves (of Iron Monkey) on drums.[5][10] In April 2003, Greening and Bagshaw left the band.[5]
Line-up changes and We Live (2003–2007)
[edit]
In August 2003, Oborn revealed Electric Wizard's new line-up – drummer Greaves, second-guitarist Liz Buckingham (of 13 and Sourvein), and bassist Rob Al-Issa.[5] This new lineup recorded We Live in 2004, just days after Buckingham began rehearsing with the band. As Oborn explained, the addition of Buckingham was crucial given the departure of his previous writing partner, Bagshaw:
(The addition of) Liz was the most important element...because Tim had left the band and we were writing partners so to speak. So when Liz came aboard we were writing partners again. Our styles were very similar. We have the same sort of down-stroke pattern. And since we were writing together, Electric Wizard was happening again. I have to have a writing partner.[11]
The band toured England and Australia in support of the album and played at the 2005 Roadburn Festival. Greaves left the band in 2006 and was replaced by Shaun Rutter. The parting was not amicable, with Oborn remarking that "We fell out big time with that loser. You know, I would piss on his grave."[12]
Witchcult Today, Black Masses and touring (2007–2012)
[edit]In November 2007, the band released Witchcult Today. In 2008, bassist Rob Al-Issa left the band and was replaced by Tas Danazoglou.[13] Three years later, in November 2010, Electric Wizard released their seventh album: Black Masses.

On 31 March 2012, Electric Wizard played in London at the HMV Forum, debuting its newest members, bassist Glenn Charman and drummer Simon Poole. A 7-inch EP titled Legalise Drugs and Murder was available for sale at the show. After the gig it was announced that it would be released worldwide and that more EPs would follow. On 1 October 2012, some copies of Terrorizer came with a cassette EP of Legalise Drugs and Murder which contained the two songs from the 7-inch along with two outtakes and two new songs. Electric Wizard also headlined the 2012 edition of Maryland Deathfest on 27 May, their first show in the United States in ten years.[citation needed]
Label issues, Time to Die and Wizard Bloody Wizard (2013–present)
[edit]Electric Wizard headlined the 2013 edition of the Roadburn Festival called the Electric Acid Orgy, which was also curated by Oborn.[14]

Electric Wizard announced that their eighth album, Time to Die, was to be released in 2014 on their own label Witchfinder Records via Spinefarm Records. It was recorded at Toerag Studios and Skyhammer Studios and mixed by Chris Fielding. The album was produced by guitarist Jus Oborn and released on 29 September 2014.[15] The album is the first since 2002's Let Us Prey to feature founding member Mark Greening on drums.
On 30 October 2014, Electric Wizard played their largest club show in the North of England at the 1,500 capacity Ritz[16] in Manchester, England.[17] On 16 December 2014, Electric Wizard announced they would embark on a US/Canada tour in 2015, their first US shows since 2012 and full tour of the US since 2002.[18] Tickets to the tour were sold out within a month after going on sale.[19]
The band was set to release their latest album, Wizard Bloody Wizard in 2016,[20][21] however this did not happen and in a September 2017 article Blabbermouth reported that the release date had been extended to 10 November 2017. The album was eventually released on 17 November 2017.[22][23]
Clayton Burgess left Electric Wizard in early 2018 to focus on his band Satan's Satyrs.[24] A single titled " L.S.D. (Lucifers Satanic Daughter)" was released in 2021, specifically for the film Lucifers Satanic Daughter.[25] A band biography titled Come My Fanatics: A Journey into the World of Electric Wizard written by Dan Franklin was released on 22 June 2023.[25] In 2024, the band released a live album called Black Magic Rituals & Perversions Vol. 1.[26]
Members
[edit]|
Current
|
Former
|
Timeline
[edit]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
- Electric Wizard (1994)
- Come My Fanatics… (1997)
- Dopethrone (2000)
- Let Us Prey (2002)
- We Live (2004)
- Witchcult Today (2007)
- Black Masses (2010)
- Time to Die (2014)
- Wizard Bloody Wizard (2017)
References
[edit]- ^ a b Sword, Harry (20 March 2018). "The Guide to Getting into Electric Wizard". Vice. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Come My Fanatics... Review". allmusic. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
Essential doom
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Dopethrone Review". allmusic. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
with Dopethrone, Electric Wizard has raised the bar for doom metal achievement in the new millennium
- ^ "Interview: Electric Wizard - Smoking cans - Called the number of the beast and left a voicemail". Metalrage.com. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "MusicMight :: Artists :: ELECTRIC WIZARD". Musicmight.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Electric Wizard: Dopethrone". Allmusic. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
- ^ a b Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Electric Wizard: Let Us Prey". Allmusic. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
- ^ "The 50 Most Evil Songs Ever". Kerrang!. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
- ^ a b Ruskell, Nick. Kerrang! #1269, July 2009. Treasure Chest. An Intimate Portrait Of Life In Rock. Jus Oborn, p.60
- ^ a b "Electric Wizard - Biography - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ Bugbee, Tim. "Electric Wizard: Interview". Prefix. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
- ^ "Electric Wizard: Interview". Prefixmag. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ [1] Archived 7 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Posts Tagged 'The Electric Acid Orgy'". Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ Lawson, Dom (25 September 2014). "Electric Wizard: Time to Die review – immense hypnotic power". Theguardian.com. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "The Ritz | Official site for the Ritz | Manchester's Best Live Music and Club Venue". Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ "Electric Wizard, live in Manchester". Metalhammer.teamrock.com. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "Electric Wizard announces first North American tour in over ten years, playing Webster Hall! (2015 dates)". BrooklynVegan. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "Electric Wizard announce Roundhouse show and support!". Terrorizer.com. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "- ELECTRIC WIZARD TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM IN 2016…". Spinefarmrecords.com. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "The Quietus - News - New Electric Wizard Album Due This Year". Thequietus.com. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "Wizard Bloody Wizard' Album Details Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ "Dancing to Metal With Electric Wizard's Jus Oborn". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ Breznikar, Klemen (27 November 2018). "Satan's Satyrs interview with Clayton Burgess". It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine. Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ a b Rogers, Jack (28 February 2023). "Electric Wizard announce details of new book". Louder Sound. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ Ruskell, Nick (11 December 2024). "Album review: Electric Wizard – Black Magic Rituals & Perversions Vol. 1". Kerrang.
External links
[edit]Electric Wizard
View on GrokipediaHistory
Early years and formation (1988–1993)
Electric Wizard's roots trace back to 1988 in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England, where guitarist and vocalist Jus Oborn founded the band initially under the name Lord of Putrefaction as a death metal project heavily influenced by the emerging extreme metal scene of the late 1980s.[5] Oborn, drawing from bands like early Napalm Death and Carcass, aimed to capture the raw aggression and technical brutality of the genre, with the lineup featuring Oborn on guitar and vocals, bassist Dave Gedge, and rotating drummers including early contributors like Andy Reeves.[6] This formation marked Oborn's first foray into heavy music amid a local scene dominated by thrash and goth acts, positioning the band as one of the UK's underground pioneers in death metal experimentation.[6] The band's early output consisted of several demo recordings that showcased their death metal style, beginning with the Necromantic demo in 1989, which featured tracks like "Zombie Plague" and "Dismembered Corpse" characterized by fast tempos, grinding riffs, and guttural vocals.[7] This was followed by the Wings Over a Black Funeral demo in 1990, including songs such as "Descent" and "At the Cemetery Gates," which began hinting at a darkening atmospheric edge while maintaining death metal ferocity; these recordings were later compiled on the 2006 Pre-Electric Wizard 1989–1994 release but originally circulated in limited cassette form within the underground tape-trading community.[8] In 1991, Lord of Putrefaction contributed to a split EP with Mortal Remains, further solidifying their reputation in the nascent UK death metal circuit through self-produced efforts that emphasized themes of death and despair.[9] By 1991–1992, following the departure of drummer Adam Richardson, the band underwent a name change to Thy Grief Eternal, releasing the On Blackened Wings demo in 1992, which introduced slower tempos and heavier, more oppressive riffs inspired by doom metal forebears like Black Sabbath and Saint Vitus.[6] This shift reflected Oborn's growing interest in psychedelic and occult elements, transitioning from pure death metal speed to a sludgier, more atmospheric sound with growling vocals over elongated structures.[8] The final pre-Electric Wizard incarnation came in 1993 as Eternal, after bassist James Evans exited, yielding the Lucifer's Children demo with tracks like "Magickal Childe" and a cover of Black Sabbath's "Electric Funeral," which fully embraced doom influences through ritualistic pacing and dense, fuzzy guitar tones.[6] These evolutions laid the groundwork for the band's later doom metal identity, with Oborn's core vision driving the progressive slowdown and thematic depth.[8]Rise to prominence (1993–2003)
Electric Wizard officially formed in 1993 in Wimborne, Dorset, England, with Jus Oborn on guitar and vocals, Tim Bagshaw on bass, and Mark Greening on drums.[10][11] Oborn, previously involved in death metal projects, shifted toward a doom metal sound influenced by Black Sabbath and Saint Vitus.[10] The band's debut self-titled album, Electric Wizard, was released in 1995 through Rise Above Records, showcasing a raw, traditional doom metal style with stoner rock elements rooted in occult folklore.[10] This release marked their entry into the underground metal scene, emphasizing heavy, downtuned riffs and atmospheric tension.[10] In 1997, Come My Fanatics... followed on Rise Above Records, establishing the band as a landmark in the doom metal genre through its fuzzy, psychedelic riffs and turgid, cosmic doom sound blended with punkish energy and scuzzy production.[10][11] The album's sleazy, blackened doom 'n' roll approach expanded their reputation for mind-melting heaviness.[10] Dopethrone, released in September 2000 on Rise Above Records, is widely regarded as a masterpiece of stoner doom metal, featuring tracks like "Funeralopolis"—an epic, pre-written centerpiece—and the improvised "Weird Tales," which unfolds across multiple sections including "Electric Frost," "Golgotha," and "Altar of Melektaus."[12][13] Recorded at Chuckalumba Studios in Dorset over several months amid drug use, legal issues, and injuries, the album's production—handled by the band with engineer Rolf Startin—delivered a raw, fuzz-drenched sound inspired by Pink Floyd's techniques, with much of the material jammed in-studio.[12][13] It received critical acclaim for its monolithic heaviness and Sabbath-worshipping aggression, solidifying Electric Wizard's status as pioneers in the sludge-doom subgenre and influencing numerous bands.[12][13] The 2002 album Let Us Prey, self-produced and released on Rise Above Records, marked an experimental turn with electronic elements like horror movie samples, piano by Greening, and guest violin, alongside longer compositions such as the extended "Master of Alchemy" and the slow-building "Priestess of Mars."[14] Tracks like "We, the Undead" incorporated hardcore punk influences, while "Night of the Shape" evoked a horror soundtrack atmosphere, creating a darker, hypnotic doom sound with dense layering and reverb-drenched vocals.[14] Though shorter overall at around 43 minutes, it shifted toward sludge metal while retaining the band's sinister edge.[11][14] Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Electric Wizard built an underground following in the stoner metal scene through early live performances in the UK starting shortly after formation and subsequent tours across Europe and North America, including a 2001 tour documented in behind-the-scenes footage and a 2002 UK run supporting Let Us Prey alongside Cathedral.[11][15] These efforts helped cultivate their cult status amid the burgeoning doom and stoner metal movements.[11]Lineup changes and We Live (2003–2007)
In early 2003, following a tumultuous North American tour that exacerbated internal tensions, founding members Tim Bagshaw on bass and Mark Greening on drums departed Electric Wizard after a decade together, citing personal and creative differences as they formed the new band Ramesses.[16][17] The split marked the end of the band's original trio configuration, which had propelled Electric Wizard to prominence with albums like Dopethrone (2000) and Let Us Prey (2002).[18] Guitarist and vocalist Jus Oborn, the band's sole remaining original member, swiftly restructured Electric Wizard to preserve its momentum, recruiting his wife Liz Buckingham on second guitar in 2003, drummer Justin Greaves from Iron Monkey, and bassist Rob Al-Issa.[19][20] This new lineup, centered on Oborn's vision, navigated ongoing band frictions through his assertive leadership, enabling the group to record their fifth studio album, We Live, at Foel Studios in Wales during late 2003.[19] Released in November 2004 via Rise Above Records, We Live showcased a denser and more aggressive sonic palette than prior efforts, characterized by layered guitars, crushing riffs, and atmospheric horror movie samples—such as dialogue from the 1973 film Psychomania in the title track—that amplified its occult and psychedelic doom themes.[21][19][22] The album's production, handled by Oborn and engineer Billy Anderson, emphasized a thicker, more oppressive sound that reinforced Electric Wizard's stoner doom identity amid the transitional lineup.[23] Despite the upheaval, the band maintained activity with extensive UK touring and select festival appearances, including a notable performance at the 2005 Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands, where they delivered sets drawing heavily from We Live and earlier material.[17] Oborn's determination to steer the project forward through these years helped stabilize the group, though underlying tensions persisted, setting the stage for further evolution.[19]Witchcult Today and Black Masses (2007–2012)
Following the departure of drummer Justin Greaves in 2006, which stemmed from internal conflicts, Electric Wizard stabilized their lineup with Shaun Rutter taking over on drums, marking a fresh start for the band.[1] Bassist Rob Al-Issa joined for the recording sessions, alongside the enduring core duo of vocalist/guitarist Jus Oborn and guitarist Liz Buckingham, allowing the group to channel renewed energy into their sound.[24] This reconfiguration proved pivotal, as it enabled a creative resurgence rooted in the band's horror and occult obsessions. The band's sixth studio album, Witchcult Today, emerged on November 20, 2007, via Rise Above Records, capturing a return to heavier, riff-driven doom with analog warmth reminiscent of 1970s occult rock.[25] Recorded at Toe Rag Studios using vintage equipment, the album featured dense, psychedelic layers and lyrics delving into witchcraft and cosmic dread, earning acclaim for its monolithic intensity and cover artwork by designer Andrew Labanaris, which evoked sinister, ritualistic imagery.[25] Tracks like the title song showcased crushing, slow-motion riffs that solidified the band's reputation for immersive heaviness.[26] By 2010, the lineup had shifted again with Tas Danazoglou replacing Al-Issa on bass, infusing Black Masses—released November 1 on Rise Above—with an even more apocalyptic edge.[27] The seventh album expanded on themes of Satanism, Inquisition-era torment, and end-times prophecy, highlighted by epic compositions such as the 17-minute "Torquemada 71," which blended sludge-laden grooves with haunting atmospherics.[28] Critics noted its seamless evolution from Witchcult Today, praising the production's balance of raw aggression and psychedelic depth, while Danazoglou's prominent bass lines added a thunderous undercurrent.[29] This period saw Electric Wizard intensify their live presence, headlining the 2008 Roadburn Festival's 10th anniversary event in Tilburg, Netherlands, where they delivered a set heavy on new material amid thick fog and ritualistic visuals.[30] Extensive European tours followed, including dates supporting Witchcult Today in 2008 and a 2009 run across the continent, building momentum through sold-out clubs and festivals that amplified their hypnotic stage presence.[31] Their first U.S. appearance in a decade came at Maryland Deathfest 2012, where they headlined on May 27 in Baltimore, captivating audiences with a 79-minute set of classics and newer cuts, later released as a live album that underscored their commanding ritual.[32] Amid these developments, Electric Wizard's cult following in the doom metal scene swelled, with Witchcult Today and Black Masses hailed as landmarks that revitalized the genre's underground ethos.[26] Rise Above Records reissued earlier albums like Dopethrone in expanded formats during this era, fueling demand, while merchandise—ranging from occult-themed apparel to vinyl variants—expanded significantly, reflecting the band's growing icon status among stoner and doom enthusiasts.[2]Recent years (2013–present)
Following a bitter legal dispute with their longtime label Rise Above Records, Electric Wizard parted ways with the imprint in 2013, leading to the self-release of their eighth studio album, Time to Die, on Spinefarm Records in September 2014. The album's psychedelic artwork, featuring vivid, hallucinatory imagery, complemented its themes of occult horror and existential dread, with standout tracks like the sprawling opener "Incense for the Damned" evoking ritualistic intensity. This release marked a turbulent period for the band, including internal lineup shifts, but solidified their shift toward heavier, more experimental production under Jus Oborn's direction. Shortly after, in early 2015, the band embarked on their first North American tour in over a decade, supporting Time to Die alongside Satan's Satyrs. By 2017, with a lineup of Oborn, Liz Buckingham, bassist Clayton Burgess, and drummer Simon Poole, Electric Wizard returned to their doom metal roots on their ninth studio album, Wizard Bloody Wizard, released via Spinefarm in November. The record incorporated guest engineering from Windhand's Garrett Morris and drew critical acclaim for its raw, Sabbath-inspired riffs and concise song structures, signaling a revitalized creative energy after years of adversity. In early 2018, Clayton Burgess departed to focus on Satan's Satyrs, with Haz Wheaton joining on bass. Touring remained sporadic in the late 2010s, but the band contributed the single "L.S.D. (Lucifers Satanic Daughter)" in 2021 to the soundtrack of the horror film Lucifer's Satanic Daughter, a lysergic track that extended their cinematic influences.[33] The COVID-19 pandemic severely limited live activities in the early 2020s, confining the band to isolated sessions and festival appearances when restrictions eased. In 2023, the unauthorized biography Come My Fanatics: A Journey into the World of Electric Wizard by Dan Franklin was published, offering an in-depth exploration of the band's history, from their Dorset origins to their enduring impact on heavy music. This was followed by the live album Black Magic Rituals & Perversions Vol. 1 in December 2024, a double-disc set capturing unpolished performances from various shows, including a pandemic-era Walpurgisnacht ritual in 2020; a special "Crystal Meth" vinyl edition was released in May 2025.[34] In late 2024 interviews, Oborn announced work on a new studio album slated for 2025, describing it as "bloody good—and bloody heavy," potentially the band's heaviest yet and possibly their last full-length. As of November 2025, the album remains unreleased, with the current lineup of Jus Oborn (guitar/vocals), Liz Buckingham (guitar), Haz Wheaton (bass, since 2018), and Simon Poole (drums, since 2014) intact and focused on delivering intensified sonic weight.[4]Musical style
Influences and themes
Electric Wizard's musical style draws heavily from the heavy psych and doom sounds of the late 1960s and 1970s, with primary influences including Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Budgie, and bands like Hawkwind, Andromeda, and Wicked Lady.[35] Guitarist and vocalist Jus Oborn has cited Jimi Hendrix, Tony Iommi, and Jimmy Page as key inspirations for the band's riff-driven, fuzz-laden approach.[36] These roots in proto-metal and stoner rock form the foundation of their sonic identity, emphasizing slow, crushing tempos and psychedelic grooves. The band's lyrical content is steeped in occultism, horror literature, and countercultural rebellion, often exploring themes of witchcraft, Satanism, apocalyptic dread, and drug-induced escapism. Oborn has expressed a deep fascination with H.P. Lovecraft's cosmic horror, describing him as his favorite writer for his "mind-bending" prose akin to a drug experience, which informs songs like "Dunwich" drawn from Lovecraft's The Dunwich Horror.[37][38] Aleister Crowley's occult writings also profoundly shape their work, with Oborn collecting books on the subject and incorporating Crowley's ideas into the band's ritualistic imagery.[37][39] Witchcraft and Satanism appear prominently, as in the self-proclaimed "Satan worship" on albums like Witchcult Today, while drug culture—particularly cannabis—permeates lyrics, exemplified by Dopethrone's motifs of weed-fueled dominion and the protagonists as "kings of the fucking dope-scene."[37] Anti-establishment rants and apocalyptic visions recur, blending misanthropy with sadistic evil, as seen in Black Masses' ritualistic depictions of societal collapse.[35] Visually, Electric Wizard's aesthetic channels psychedelic horror through album artwork often created or illustrated by Oborn himself, featuring distorted, Satanic imagery like the bong-smoking devil on Dopethrone.[40] Influences from Hammer Films and giallo cinema, such as Dario Argento's Suspiria and Jess Franco's erotic horrors, inspire this style, with custom fonts and lurid colors evoking 1970s exploitation posters.[41] Merchandise emphasizes patch culture, with fans trading occult-themed patches that mirror the band's dark, communal ethos. To enhance their atmospheric doom, recordings incorporate samples from horror films, including clips from The Dunwich Horror in "We Hate You" and Let Sleeping Corpses Lie in other tracks, layering eerie dialogue and sound effects over the music.[22]Evolution of sound
Electric Wizard's early sound in the 1990s was characterized by raw, fuzzy doom metal with short, riff-heavy tracks that drew from sludge influences, as heard on their self-titled debut album in 1995, featuring straightforward guitar work and clean vocals over heavy, Sabbath-inspired riffs.[42] By their second album, Come My Fanatics... (1996), the band refined this into a more distinctive style with blues-based structures, psychedelic drones, and a loose hard rock jam feel, establishing a super-heavy, noisy aesthetic that set the foundation for their stoner doom identity. This evolved further on Dopethrone (2000), where spaced-out stoner elements merged with aggressive, post-rock sludge guitars, producing one of the nastiest and heaviest tones in the genre through excessive distortion and slow, chest-rattling rhythms.[13][43] In the mid-2000s, following lineup changes that introduced a dual-guitar attack, Electric Wizard shifted toward lengthier compositions with added psychedelic layering and down-tuned guitars, exemplified by Let Us Prey (2002), which incorporated abrasive aggression, piano interludes, and ultra-dynamic, melancholic harmonies for a trippy, experimental edge.[44][45] The 2006 album We Live marked a notable production pivot to a cleaner guitar sound, reducing fuzz for greater clarity and note distinguishability while retaining meaty heaviness, allowing better interplay among the improved lineup.[46] This trend continued with Witchcult Today (2007), blending lo-fi fuzzy doom with warmer tones, faster tempos, and confident swagger in riffing, followed by Black Masses (2010), which used vintage 1970s audio equipment for muddier, drugged-up layers despite a slightly quicker pace.[47][48][49] By the 2010s, the band's sound incorporated slower tempos, epic structures, and subtle electronics amid production refinements, as on Time to Die (2014), which featured clearer mixes compared to prior lo-fi efforts, emphasizing massive down-tuned riffs and thick, muddy atmospheres.[50][51] Wizard Bloody Wizard (2017) further leaned into heavy rock influences with a more focused, less drugged-out approach, dialing back the sludge intensity for cleaner, riff-driven tracks that highlighted bass-heavy grooves and psychedelic swirls.[52][53] These changes reflect a progression from raw sludge to a more layered, refined doom palette, enhancing atmospheric depth without losing core heaviness. In live performances, Electric Wizard adapts their sound through emphasis on extreme volume and extended improvisation, delivering merciless sonic power with fog-shrouded stages and lengthy jams that amplify the psychedelic and heavy elements of their studio work.[54] This approach transforms riff-heavy compositions into immersive, chaotic experiences, often extending tracks beyond recorded lengths for a raw, communal intensity.[54]Band members
Current members
Jus Oborn (vocals, guitars; 1993–present) is the founder and sole constant member of Electric Wizard, having formed the band in Wimborne, Dorset, as an evolution of his earlier project Lord of Putrefaction. As the primary songwriter and creative force, Oborn shapes the band's occult-themed lyrics and heavy riffing, while also contributing visual artwork for their album covers and merchandise.[1] Liz Buckingham (guitars; 2003–present) joined Electric Wizard after stints in American sludge and doom metal bands 13 and Sourvein, bringing technical precision to the group's dual-guitar attack and layered soundscapes. Her integration marked a shift toward a more stable four-piece configuration, enhancing the band's dense, atmospheric heaviness on albums like Witchcult Today (2007).[55] Simon Poole (drums; 2012, 2014–present) provides the rhythmic foundation with steady, plodding beats suited to the band's slow tempos and complex structures, drawing from his prior work in rock outfits including Sarandon. His return in 2014 solidified the lineup for tours and recordings, including the 2017 album Wizard Bloody Wizard.[56] Haz Wheaton (bass; 2018–present) adds deep, resonant low-end to Electric Wizard's sound, following his tenure as bassist for psychedelic rock pioneers Hawkwind from 2016 to 2018. Wheaton's experience in space rock and heavy genres complements the band's doom aesthetic, appearing on subsequent releases and live performances.[57]Former members
Electric Wizard's original lineup featured co-founder Tim Bagshaw on bass from 1993 to 2003, during which he contributed to seminal albums including Dopethrone (2000), shaping the band's dense, riff-heavy sound through his effects-laden playing and songwriting partnership with Jus Oborn.[1][58] Bagshaw departed in 2003 amid personal and creative strains, including a breakdown in his friendship with Oborn, citing burnout from extensive touring and band dynamics; he subsequently formed the doom metal project Ramesses with drummer Mark Greening.[59][60][61] Mark Greening, the band's founding drummer from 1993 to 2002, provided the thunderous, ritualistic percussion that defined early releases like Come My Fanatics... (1996) and Dopethrone, influencing the group's hypnotic doom grooves during intense live performances across Europe and the US.[1] His exit in 2002 stemmed from internal tensions and exhaustion from the band's grueling schedule, leading him to briefly explore other projects before co-founding Ramesses with Bagshaw.[59][60] Greening later rejoined Electric Wizard for the 2014 album Time to Die but left again due to financial disputes with the band and label.[62] Justin Greaves served as drummer from 2003 to 2006, bringing a sludge-influenced intensity from his Iron Monkey background to the recording of We Live (2004), where his precise, heavy beats supported the album's occult-themed shifts and experimental edges during transitional tours.[1][63] He left in 2006 following an acrimonious split, reportedly over personal and professional disagreements, after which he founded the extreme metal supergroup Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine.[64][65] Other notable former members include bassist Rob Al-Issa (2003–2008), who anchored the low-end on early post-Dopethrone sessions and tours, stabilizing the rhythm section amid lineup flux, including contributions to We Live (2004) and Witchcult Today (2007).[1][66] Drummer Shaun Rutter (2007–2012) drove the powerhouse rhythms for Witchcult Today (2007) and Black Masses (2012), contributing to the band's intensified psychedelic doom phase and major festival appearances.[1] Bassist Tas Danazoglou (2008–2012) provided fuzz-driven bass lines for Black Masses (2010) and related tours, drawing from his background in extreme metal.[67][68] Bassist Glenn Charman (2012) joined briefly for live performances but departed before the Time to Die (2014) recordings.[69][70] Clayton Burgess (2014–2018) provided bass duties on Time to Die (2014), enhancing its raw, oppressive atmosphere before departing for personal commitments.[1]Timeline
The following table provides a chronological overview of Electric Wizard's lineup changes, highlighting key join and leave dates tied to album releases and noting session musicians where applicable to fill gaps.| Period | Core Lineup | Key Join/Leave Dates and Albums | Notes on Session Musicians or Gaps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988–1993 | Jus Oborn (guitar/vocals in precursor bands) | Pre-Electric Wizard: Oborn active in Morbicus (1988–1989), Putrefaction (1989), Lord of Putrefaction (1989–1991), Thy Grief Eternal (1991–1992), Eternal (1992–1993). Band forms as Electric Wizard in 1993. | No fixed lineup; precursor bands featured varying members including David Gedge (bass in Thy Grief Eternal).[17] |
| 1993–2003 | Jus Oborn (vocals/guitar), Tim Bagshaw (bass), Mark Greening (drums) | Core trio forms in 1993. Bagshaw and Greening leave in May 2003, post-Let Us Prey (2002). Albums: Electric Wizard (1994), Come My Fanatics... (1996), Supercoven (1998), Dopethrone (2000), Let Us Prey (2002). | No major gaps; stable trio throughout.[59][11] |
| 2003–2006 | Jus Oborn (vocals/guitar), Liz Buckingham (guitar), Justin Greaves (drums), Rob Al-Issa (bass) | Buckingham, Greaves, and Al-Issa join in August 2003. Greaves leaves in 2006, post-We Live (2004). | No gaps; new dual-guitar setup debuts.[1] |
| 2006–2008 | Jus Oborn (vocals/guitar), Liz Buckingham (guitar), Shaun Rutter (drums), Rob Al-Issa (bass) | Rutter joins in 2006 for Witchcult Today (2007). Al-Issa leaves in 2008. | No gaps.[66] |
| 2008–2012 | Jus Oborn (vocals/guitar), Liz Buckingham (guitar), Shaun Rutter (drums), Tas Danazoglou (bass) | Danazoglou joins circa 2008–2010 for Black Masses (2010). Rutter leaves in 2012. | Danazoglou fills post-Al-Issa gap; confirmed on Black Masses.[28][71] |
| 2012–2014 | Jus Oborn (vocals/guitar), Liz Buckingham (guitar), Mark Greening (drums), Clayton Burgess (bass) | Simon Poole interim on drums in 2012. Greening rejoins late 2012 for Time to Die (2014). Burgess joins 2014. Greening leaves in 2014. Glenn Charman (bass) joins briefly in 2012 but leaves before recording. | Poole interim fills gap; Charman gap filled by Oborn (as "Count Orloff") on bass for recording; session use for touring.[1][72] |
| 2014–2018 | Jus Oborn (vocals/guitar), Liz Buckingham (guitar), Simon Poole (drums), Clayton Burgess (bass) | Poole rejoins full-time in 2014. Burgess continues. Album: Wizard Bloody Wizard (2017). Burgess leaves in 2018. | No major gaps.[1][73] |
| 2018–present | Jus Oborn (vocals/guitar), Liz Buckingham (guitar), Simon Poole (drums), Haz Wheaton (bass) | Wheaton joins in 2018. Current lineup as of 2025. | No gaps; stable since 2018.[74][1] |
