Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway
It is one decade into the existence of the unique, genre-warping duo WIZARD RIFLE, ten years since their emergence from the Pacific Northwest (and, in part, Detroit) back in 2009.
Established in Portland, Oregon, the pair of performers that power this project, guitarist and vocalist Max Dameron, with drummer and vocalist Sam Ford, is preparing to release a new album. Their third full-length recording is a self-titled album, the follow-up to 2014’s ‘Here In The Deadlight’ and 2012’s ‘Speak Loud Say Nothing’, and set to arrive August 30th from Svart Records.
Anticipation for this offering has faced gradual, steady growth within the ranks of those that appreciate melds of psych-imbued sludge, noise rock, and stoner thrash metal. Accented by vocal harmonies and punk rock style shouts, all the adverbial descriptors in the farthest-reaching lexicons will fall short in providing a proper picture of what we may expect. All of which is accomplished at the talented hands and minds of just two musicians, mind you. They did have some help though, as density guru Billy Anderson mixed the eponymous new album.
We have a track to share with you at this time, “Rocket To Hell“. The number is a whipping, winding song laden with serpentine coils of double sung/ screamed vocals and frenzied musicality. The band recently confided the following to Decibel magazine about this particular song saying:
“This sonic stew encompasses all the usual elements of Wizard Rifle: gut-punching, down-tuned sludge punk riffs interwoven with psychedelic overtones and triumphant builds with vocal harmonies and dual yells. Lyrically the song is much like a hangover from a thousand-year orgy of global greed. It deals with the shortcomings of mankind and the individual in the face of the apocalyptic consequences of its self-created extinction. Take the ride; strap in and blast off to this seven-minute rager.“
Listen to “Rocket To Hell” here, while checking out the album artwork and tracklist. ‘Wizard Rifle‘ will be available in digital, vinyl, and CD formats from Svart Records on August 30th. Pre-order will be made available soon.
In WIZARD RIFLE-related news, the band will appear at the Northwest Hesh Fest 2019 in their hometown of Portland this September 19th and 20th. Other bands scheduled to appear include Red Fang, Acid King, Sasquatch, Poison Idea, Nebula, Witch Mountain, Black Elk, American Sharks, Necrot, Fat Tony, Eagle Claw, Holy Grove, Lord Dying, Magick Gardens, Long Knife, Zig Zags, and Warish.
From there, WIZARD RIFLE will join WARISH as both provide support to the upcoming ACID KING “Busse Woods 20th Anniversary U.S. Tour” (news article). Find the full itinerary below.
Tracklist:
01. Rocket To Hell
02. Caveman Waltz
03. Beneath The Spider
04. Funeral Of The Sun
05. V
– ACID KING “Busse Woods 20th Anniversary Tour” –
w/ Wizard Rifle & Warish
Sep. 20: Portland, OR @ Star Theater – Northwest Hesh Fest
Sep. 21: Seattle, WA @ Highline
Sep. 23: Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
Sep. 24: Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
Sep. 25: Chicago, IL @ Reggies
Sep. 26: Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle
Sep. 27: Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Sep. 28: Buffalo, N.Y. @ Mohawk Place
Sep. 29: Boston, MA @ Sonia
Sep. 30: Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Knitting Factory
Oct. 01: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Oct. 02: Richmond, VA @ Richmond Music Hall
Oct. 03: Raleigh, N.C. @ Kings
Oct. 04: Asheville, N.C. @ Mothlight
Oct. 05: Atlanta, GA @ 529 Club
Oct. 06: New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
Oct. 07: Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey
Oct. 09: Albuquerque, NM @ Sister Bar
Oct. 10: Mesa, AZ @ Club Red
Oct. 11: Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite
Oct. 12: San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
