BeatRoute Magazine BC Print Edition February 2018

BLACK WIZARD
HEAVY METAL HOMIES GET HEAVIER AND HAZIER
ANA KRUNIC
The lower mainland’s heavy music scene wouldn’t be complete
without our homegrown road warriors, Black Wizard. Their brand
of metal with a heavy lean towards rock n’ roll definitely sounds
like it was cultivated here, tinged with the Vancouver haze we
know so well. Their new record, Livin’ Oblivion, slated for release
on February 16, brings us a heavier and faster ‘Wiz. Founding
members Eugene Parkomenko and Adam Grant say it was an
intuitive progression.
“It was kind of natural, honestly,” says Grant. “Even though it’s
our fourth record, this is the first time we’ve had the same lineup
following the last one. So it really helps, having that consistency
as well as [guitarist] Daniel Stokes, who’s a genius and also a death
metal boy. He definitely had a big influence on writing of some of
the newer songs.”
The album ebbs and flows, as Black Wizard records have always
done, with some slow-burners to break it up a bit.
“’Feast or Famine’ is a faster one, but the rest of the record
still follows our classic ‘Wiz formula, but on the next level,” says
Parkomenko. “We spent a lot more time on tones and sounds this
time, making it big and in-your-face.”
The guys have always considered engineer Michael Kraushaar
the fifth member of their band, as he’s worked with them from the
start and has had a big impact on their work.
“Having worked with Mike on all of our records, he’s just so
fucking good at what he does, and he only gets better year by year,”
Grant explains. “It’s become effortless now that we’ve worked with
him so often. It’s great to feel comfortable doing what you’re doing,
and having a guy that contributes valuable things. We’re definitely
super happy with how the new record sounds.”
As for future plans, Grant says it’s their mission to tour with
Judas Priest.
“Rob Halford actually left a comment on one of our photos
one time,” Grant laughs. “It was a devil horns emoji, a microphone
emoji and a little flame emoji. So hopefully that means we get to
tour with them someday.”
“Naturally, we have an eternal tour question that we ask bands
we’re on the road with: would you let Rob Halford suck your dick
if he offered?” adds Parkomenko. “Whoever says no is probably
a homophobic dickbag. Because if I can get it up, the answer is
always YES.”
Black Wizard’s album release show is on February 16 at the Rickshaw
Theatre with Mean Jeans, WAINGRO and Killer Deal.
Livin’ Oblivion is Black Wizard’s fourth magical offering.
February 2018 21