Album Review: II by Wizard Prison
Released in 2006 under Gravelvoice Records, II by Wizard Prison is an audacious blend of Rock and Electronic music that dives headfirst into the murky waters of Experimental and Avantgarde styles. Hailing from the US, this album feels like a fever dream where genres collide, leaving listeners both disoriented and intrigued. With credits split between Ben McAllister and Scott Colburn for writing, and Matt Wainwright handling the cover art, II is as much a visual and conceptual experience as it is auditory.
The standout tracks here are "Gogon's Visionary Plan" and "Sunn Kill Moon." "Gogon's Visionary Plan" hits you with its unpredictable structure—shifting from glitchy electronic beats to raw, guitar-driven riffs that feel like they’re wrestling each other for dominance. It’s not polished or clean-cut; instead, it revels in its messiness, creating something oddly compelling. The track sticks in your head because it doesn’t follow any rules—it just exists, chaotic yet strangely beautiful.
Then there’s "Sunn Kill Moon," which goes full throttle into eerie territory. Imagine if Sunn O))) decided to remix a shoegaze anthem while throwing in some avant-garde electronica for good measure. This one lingers because of how hauntingly atmospheric it feels, almost like walking through fog at midnight. You can’t see what’s ahead, but you know something big—or maybe nothing at all—is waiting for you.
Wizard Prison has crafted an album that defies easy categorization. Listening to II feels less like consuming music and more like stepping into someone else’s abstract art installation. Sure, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea (or should I say “Tea Dreams”?—yeah, that’s another track), but those who appreciate sonic experimentation will find plenty to chew on here.
In the end, II leaves you wondering: Did these guys just throw everything against the wall to see what stuck? Or is this meticulously planned chaos? Either way, it works. And honestly, isn’t life kinda like that too? A little messy, kinda weird, but worth sticking around for the surprises.
