White Wizzard
Encyclopedia
White Wizzard are an American heavy metal
band from Los Angeles
, California
, formed in 2007. The band has released two EP
's and two albums, Over the Top
released in 2010, and Flying Tigers
released in 2011.
in the summer of 2007, as Jon Leon's response to the "angsty" and "screamo" metal
that dominated the heavy metal scene at the time:
In late 2007, White Wizzard recorded their self-titled EP, which would be released in mid-2008. They also filmed a music video for the EP's opening track "High Speed GTO
", which won the award for Best Music Video in the 2008 Action On Film Festival. Although the band was doing relatively well, artistic tensions within the group led to Leon firing all members of the band, who went on to form a similarly styled band, Holy Grail.
During mid-2008, Leon was contacted by Earache Records
and asked to put the song "High Speed GTO" on Earache
's compilation album Heavy Metal Killers. Motivated by this opportunity, Leon doubled his search efforts and eventually formed the second line-up of White Wizzard.
The band toured North America with Korpiklaani
, Týr
, and Swashbuckle
in January 2010. The North America
n tour was followed by a short UK
tour with Edguy
in March 2010, which began at Hammerfest II
. White Wizzard had their live debut with their third line-up featuring Michael Gremio and Lewis Stephens at the famous Download Festival
in June of that same year, opening the Ronnie James Dio stage on Sunday.
In March 2010, White Wizzard was nominated for Best New Artist in the Metal Hammer
Golden Gods 2010.
On the 5th of October 2010, Earache Records released their new single, Shooting Star, on YouTube.
Jon Leon, vocalist James-Paul Luna, guitarist
James LaRue and drummer
Tyler Meahl. After releasing their debut EP
, Leon and the rest of the band disagreed on what musical direction to take and split apart. Jon reformed the band with a second incarnation featuring all of the current band members except for Giovanni Durst, who took over previous drummer
Jesse Applehans' drum duties after a short while.
James-Paul Luna and Tyler Meahl formed Holy Grail in 2008. , the .com address for White Wizzard is being used by Holy Grail.
In April 2010, it was announced that guitarist Erik Kluiber had been replaced. At the same time, vocalist Wyatt Anderson left the band as well. The new line-up was revealed on June 8, 2010, with Michael Gremio
, formerly of Nebraskan power metal band Cellador
on vocals, and Welsh guitarist Lewis Stephens, replacing Kluiber.
As of September 2010 the lead vocals have been taken over by Peter Ellis.
As of February 2, 2011, the second vocalist Wyatt Anderson has returned to the band, replacing a departing Peter Ellis.
White Wizzard has worked exclusively with Producer/Engineer, Ralph Patlan, since 2008.
On June 27, 2011, the band announced that they have parted ways with Wyatt Anderson once again.
On September 19, 2011, the band released their second full-length album, Flying Tigers
. Only Leon, Anderson, Durst, and Patlan participated in its recording.
, Judas Priest
and Dio
. These influences include melodic guitar riffs
combined with aggressive drumming and wailing or singing vocals.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, formed in 2007. The band has released two EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
's and two albums, Over the Top
Over the Top (White Wizzard album)
-Music videos:A music video for the song "Over the Top" was released on January 29, 2010. The video featured the band playing in a snowy Western town and combating a "Jazz Wizard"....
released in 2010, and Flying Tigers
Flying Tigers (White Wizzard album)
-Personnel:*Wyatt "The Screamin' Demon" Anderson - Vocals*Jon Leon - Guitar/Bass*Giovanni Durst - Drums...
released in 2011.
History
White Wizzard was formed in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in the summer of 2007, as Jon Leon's response to the "angsty" and "screamo" metal
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
that dominated the heavy metal scene at the time:
"I saw so many old school metalheads at these summer festivals, but what else is out there? Who else can they look forward to seeing after they leave the show that can really give them the same thrill? They're all still here, but there's nothing in today's scene that moves them anymore - nothing that inspires them. I think we can change that."
In late 2007, White Wizzard recorded their self-titled EP, which would be released in mid-2008. They also filmed a music video for the EP's opening track "High Speed GTO
High Speed GTO
High Speed GTO is an EP by heavy metal band White Wizzard released on July 13, 2009. The CD release comes with a bonus music video for the song "High Speed GTO". The EP is the same release as their previous EP but with a different cover and a renamed track....
", which won the award for Best Music Video in the 2008 Action On Film Festival. Although the band was doing relatively well, artistic tensions within the group led to Leon firing all members of the band, who went on to form a similarly styled band, Holy Grail.
During mid-2008, Leon was contacted by Earache Records
Earache Records
Earache Records is a heavy metal-oriented record label based in Nottingham, UK and New York, USA. It helped to pioneer extreme metal by releasing many of the earliest grindcore and death metal records in the period 1988-1994.-History:...
and asked to put the song "High Speed GTO" on Earache
Earache Records
Earache Records is a heavy metal-oriented record label based in Nottingham, UK and New York, USA. It helped to pioneer extreme metal by releasing many of the earliest grindcore and death metal records in the period 1988-1994.-History:...
's compilation album Heavy Metal Killers. Motivated by this opportunity, Leon doubled his search efforts and eventually formed the second line-up of White Wizzard.
The band toured North America with Korpiklaani
Korpiklaani
Korpiklaani is a folk metal band from Finland who were formerly known as Shaman.-Biography:While other folk metal bands began with metal before adding folk music, Korpiklaani started with folk music before turning metal...
, Týr
Týr (band)
Týr, , is a folk metal band from the Faroe Islands. Their subject matter revolves almost entirely around old Nordic lore, mythology, and history, taking their name from a Norse god of war. They signed a worldwide deal with Austria's Napalm Records in early 2006, while signed to the Faroese record...
, and Swashbuckle
Swashbuckle (band)
Swashbuckle are an American thrash metal band from Mercer County, New Jersey, formed in 2005. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast Records...
in January 2010. The North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n tour was followed by a short UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
tour with Edguy
Edguy
-Demos, AFM years :Edguy was founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate epithet for Mr. Edgar Siedschlag, their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, Evil Minded and Children of...
in March 2010, which began at Hammerfest II
Hammerfest (festival)
Hammerfest is an indoor music festival held annually at Pontin's Holiday Village, Prestatyn, Wales. The festival is owned by emc3i Ltd, sponsored by their music magazine Metal Hammer and run by the orgnisers of the Hard Rock Hell festival...
. White Wizzard had their live debut with their third line-up featuring Michael Gremio and Lewis Stephens at the famous Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
in June of that same year, opening the Ronnie James Dio stage on Sunday.
In March 2010, White Wizzard was nominated for Best New Artist in the Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music...
Golden Gods 2010.
On the 5th of October 2010, Earache Records released their new single, Shooting Star, on YouTube.
Line-up
The first incarnation of White Wizzard was hastily assembled and featured bassistBassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Jon Leon, vocalist James-Paul Luna, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
James LaRue and drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Tyler Meahl. After releasing their debut EP
High Speed GTO
High Speed GTO is an EP by heavy metal band White Wizzard released on July 13, 2009. The CD release comes with a bonus music video for the song "High Speed GTO". The EP is the same release as their previous EP but with a different cover and a renamed track....
, Leon and the rest of the band disagreed on what musical direction to take and split apart. Jon reformed the band with a second incarnation featuring all of the current band members except for Giovanni Durst, who took over previous drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Jesse Applehans' drum duties after a short while.
James-Paul Luna and Tyler Meahl formed Holy Grail in 2008. , the .com address for White Wizzard is being used by Holy Grail.
In April 2010, it was announced that guitarist Erik Kluiber had been replaced. At the same time, vocalist Wyatt Anderson left the band as well. The new line-up was revealed on June 8, 2010, with Michael Gremio
Michael Gremio
Michael Gremio, born Michael Smith on August 25, 1983 in Omaha, Nebraska was the lead vocalist for the Nebraskan power metal band, Cellador. Gremio left Cellador in 2009 and currently plays in a band called Desire to Destroy, alongside former bandmates Valentin Rakhmanov and David Dahir...
, formerly of Nebraskan power metal band Cellador
Cellador
Cellador is a power metal band from Omaha, Nebraska, formed by guitarist Chris Petersen in 2004. After a rotation of a few member try-outs in the band's earliest days, Cellador's album line-up was cemented in 2004. The band eventually signed to Metal Blade after playing a show with The Black Dahlia...
on vocals, and Welsh guitarist Lewis Stephens, replacing Kluiber.
As of September 2010 the lead vocals have been taken over by Peter Ellis.
As of February 2, 2011, the second vocalist Wyatt Anderson has returned to the band, replacing a departing Peter Ellis.
White Wizzard has worked exclusively with Producer/Engineer, Ralph Patlan, since 2008.
On June 27, 2011, the band announced that they have parted ways with Wyatt Anderson once again.
On September 19, 2011, the band released their second full-length album, Flying Tigers
Flying Tigers (White Wizzard album)
-Personnel:*Wyatt "The Screamin' Demon" Anderson - Vocals*Jon Leon - Guitar/Bass*Giovanni Durst - Drums...
. Only Leon, Anderson, Durst, and Patlan participated in its recording.
Timeline
Wyatt Anderson still sings in the studio albums.Musical style
White Wizzard is notable among many heavy metal bands for drawing influence from older, traditional heavy metal bands such as Iron MaidenIron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
and Dio
Dio (band)
Dio was an American heavy metal band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice. Naming the band Dio made sense from a commercial...
. These influences include melodic guitar riffs
RIFF
The Resource Interchange File Format is a generic file container format for storing data in tagged chunks. It is primarily used to store multimedia such as sound and video, though it may also be used to store any arbitrary data....
combined with aggressive drumming and wailing or singing vocals.
Discography
- White WizzardWhite Wizzard (EP)White Wizzard is an EP/demo by heavy metal band White Wizzard released on October 13, 2008. It was re-released to the public as High Speed GTO in 2009. The cover art of the album was done by Derek Riggs, who also created the famous Eddie mascot for Iron Maiden....
(2008, EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
) - High Speed GTOHigh Speed GTOHigh Speed GTO is an EP by heavy metal band White Wizzard released on July 13, 2009. The CD release comes with a bonus music video for the song "High Speed GTO". The EP is the same release as their previous EP but with a different cover and a renamed track....
(2009, EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
) - Over the TopOver the Top (White Wizzard album)-Music videos:A music video for the song "Over the Top" was released on January 29, 2010. The video featured the band playing in a snowy Western town and combating a "Jazz Wizard"....
(2010) - Flying TigersFlying Tigers (White Wizzard album)-Personnel:*Wyatt "The Screamin' Demon" Anderson - Vocals*Jon Leon - Guitar/Bass*Giovanni Durst - Drums...
(2011)
External links
- White Wizzard at the Encyclopaedia MetallumEncyclopaedia MetallumEncyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives is a website which lists bands from various forms of heavy metal music...