EPK – Celestial Wizard – Winds of The Cosmos (2022)
Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
For fans of Dark Tranquility, Firewind, Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, Galaktikon
“Winds Of The Cosmos is a veritable blend of power metal and death metal. The songs combine crushing and aggressive vocals with a thrashy and melodic style of guitar playing. The drums are clear and punchy and give a solid foundation and framework for the music to thrive. All these elements together create something new and unique in its own right, blazing a new trail of melodic heavy metal.
The album’s lyrics guide the listener through a choice mix of fantasy and sci-fi themes, ranging from frosty Dungeons and Dragons excitement to space travelers and black holes. The lyrics also delve into personal struggle and growth, allowing fans to connect with the music on a deeper level.” – Celestial Wizard
Album Title: Winds Of The Cosmos
Release Date: July 15, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: DistroKid
Facebook.com/CelestialWizardOfficial – Instagram.com/celestialwizard_co – YouTube
Spotify – Celestialwizard.bandcamp.com – Apple Music
“Celestial Wizard “Denver’s CELESTIAL WIZARD is a rather unique band combining several elements to make a truly unique sound. Formed in 2018 and with one album already under their belts, their sophomore release, Winds of the Cosmos, is my first exposure to this band and from what I have heard, I like their approach. They take elements of traditional, power, and melodic death metal that can remind someone of say CHILDREN OF BODOM in one minute then sound like a band like BRAINSTORM the next. All I know it that this is one of the most interesting albums to come out in a while.” – Metal Rules
“The band have continued to deploy death metal vocals (and other ingredients of melodic death metal), as well as the kind of singing familiar to power metal addicts, and that juxtaposition is certainly a big reason why this band’s hybrid sound has become appealing in dark corners such as ours. But those tasty riffs have a lot to do with the appeal as well, and the song “Revenant” is a fierce example of that. No wonder, then, that we happily agreed to premiere a guitar-playthrough video for that song today.” – No Clean Singing
“Celestial Wizard Makes ‘Skull-Crushing Friendship Metal’” – Westword
“Winds of the Cosmos is a fun album, and Celestial Wizard’s use of death growls within the confines of power metal is surprisingly enjoyable.” – Metal Epidemic
“the Americans have an ace up their sleeve, which gives them a real unique selling point, especially with their sometimes extremely heavy interpretation of melodic metal styles, which is based on Gothenburg bands.” – Powermetal.de
“This is pretty cool, it’s a bit power metal, it’s thrashy, it’s got a bit of a fun catchy thing going on but with some cool harsh stuff too… lots of great stuff converging… Great stuff!” – Moshpit Radio – 89.9 FM (Madison, WI)
“…this was an absolute blast to listen to. The number of different genre influences sprinkled over the meaty slab of Metal at the core of the album add variety and genuine surprises and despite the sillier aspects being delivered with a knowing wink, the quality of the music is anything but a joke. So next time you’re in the mood for some jaunty fantasy adventure why not choose an album that ditches the broadsword for a pair of swinging fists. You don’t need to cast spells when you can knock a dragon the fuck out with riffs!” – Ever-Metal
“This is a really easy album to love and an even easier band to root for. Serious chops, with a not-so-serious attitude, playing a brand of metal made for a good time.” – Teeth of The Divine
“Overall – Spectacular, beyond belief. ‘WOTC’ is an album of such metallic magnitude, that everyone needs to hear it, at least once in their lives, by which time, most’ll be hooked. Slotting so firmly into the fantasy metal genre, it genuinely captures the central crux of what it’s all about and how fantasy metal should sound. A production which lifts the atmosphere, skywards, through every note, ‘WOTC’ is a sheer delight to hear and experience and it is a true experience. Dazzlingly colourful, performed with real panache, it’s a true metallic light show of sounds. 10.10” – Rock Queen Reviews
“This journey, both in its fictional narrative and personal growth, as well as instrumentally, has been a job very well accomplished. The energy and quality in each of their compositions is emphasized, familiarizing their influences in each genre that they gave to the album and thus demonstrating that they have chosen a good path to continue experimenting.” – The Dark Melody
“any fan of power metal with a blackened vocal delivery will find this an interesting and enjoyable listen. ” – Metal Digest
“heavy/power metal out of Denver that caught my eye. The music video for their first single was a ton of fun. ” – Metal Utopia
“From start to finish, along the abundant 43 minutes of this album, you can listen to a series of convincing songs, full of energy and all the classic canons of the particular musical genre… If you are a fan of Swedish Melodic Death Metal, you will certainly like this record.” – All Around Metal
“Strong vocals, strong melody, first-class instrumentation and absolute catchy tune (Steel Chrysalis) guarantee. I wish that ARCH ENEMY could also serve with such a hit this year.” – Twilight Magazin
Celestial Wizard is a fantasy-inspired heavy metal band based out of Denver, Colorado. Formed in 2018, this heavy metal quartet delivers crushing riffs and grand stories of dragons and wizards. Seeking to stand out among the others, Celestial Wizard combines the best elements of death metal with symphonic and synthwave elements creating a unique and engaging sound.
In the beginning, they carried a symphonic, fantasy sound dousing every song with a healthy dose of strings, choirs, synthesizers, and the like. This vibe can be heard on their debut album “A Sinister Awakening” (2018). Intended to be a concept album, they marketed some of the limited edition tapes and mini VHS tapes as though the album was a movie, thus The tapes ended up getting put in the soundtrack section of record stores.
The next year, drummer Tim Gillman joined Nick Daggers (guitar/vocals), Guillermo Jurado (guitar/bass), and Amethyst Noir (vocals) and they slashed most of the unnecessary backing tracks and refocused the music on the riffs and the core elements of the band. The evolution is reflected in the second album “Winds Of The Cosmos” (2022) (Release Date July 15th).
They deliver an energetic and engaging performance while keeping the sound tight. They make an effort each night to make their songs come alive and immerse the audience in their love for playing. They have played with bands including Alestorm, Gloryhammer, Insomnium, Nekrogoblikon, and Unleash The Archers. Combining their passions of Dungeons and Dragons, space adventure, and fantasy, Celestial Wizard takes influences like Arch Enemy, Metallica, Firewind, and Turisas and forge a path all their own!
Shared Stage with:
Alestorm, Gloryhammer, Holy Grail, Night Demon, Insomnium, Nekrogoblikon, Aether Realm, Unleash The Archers, Angra
Album Band Line Up:
Nick Daggers – Guitar, Vocals
Guillermo Jurado – Guitar, Bass
Tim Gillman – Drums
Amethyst Noir – Vocals
Live Band Line Up:
Nick Daggers – Guitar, Vocals
Dahlia McAluney – Bass
Tim Gillman – Drums
Amethyst Noir – Vocals
Discography:
2022 – Winds Of The Cosmos
2018 – A Sinister Awakening
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BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. The band name Celestial Wizard was two words they just pulled out of a hat. In 2018, they sat down as a band and just wrote down as many cool words as they could, and put them all in a hat. After a couple of tries, they pulled out those two words and they stuck!
2. Before their current drummer Tim was in the band, he unknowingly saw them at a show performing with Aether Realm and Gloryhammer. If you look back at a photo they posted back in 2019 you can pick him out in the crowd, looking comedically surly.
3. The legendary Dan Goldsworthy did the art for both Winds Of The Cosmos and Ice Realm. He’s known for doing the art for all of the Alestorm and Gloryhammer albums, as well as many others.
4. Their debut album was intended to be a concept album, and they thought it would be clever to market some of the limited edition tapes and mini VHS tapes as though the album was a movie. The tapes ended up getting put in the soundtrack section of record stores before people knew who they were, it was pretty funny.
5. Their first album was produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Eric W. Brown of Nekrogoblikon. He went on to become an award-winning composer for the soundtrack on the video game ‘The Messenger’
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The album as a whole explained by the band:
Winds Of The Cosmos is a veritable blend of power metal and death metal. The songs combine crushing and aggressive vocals with a thrashy and melodic style of guitar playing. The drums are clear and punchy, and give a solid foundation and framework for the music to thrive. All these elements together create something new and unique in its own right, blazing a new trail of melodic heavy metal.
The album’s lyrics guide the listener through a choice mix of fantasy and sci-fi themes, ranging from frosty Dungeons and Dragons excitement to space travelers and black holes. The lyrics also delve into personal struggle and growth, allowing fans to connect with the music on a deeper level.
Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY) explained by the band:
ANDROMEDA
This song is the album’s opener. The song sets the tone for what lies ahead and is the first instance of the melody that returns again at the end of the album. It’s a short, up-tempo instrumental track that helps build momentum for the first full song on the album.
REVENANT
Revenant is the first full song on the album, and its driving riffs continue the momentum from the previous track. The triplet beat of the guitars and drums gives the song a galloping, energetic feel. The song’s lyrics revolve around immortality and the loneliness and anger that come with living forever. The track is a step in a new direction from the previous album, featuring primarily singing, instead of the signature death metal vocal stylings.
ICE REALM
Ice Realm is punchy and vibrant right out of the gate, drawing listeners in with its thrashy opening riff. The track is upbeat, fun, and engaging, keeping the energy sky-high through the entire song. The song takes the listener on a Dungeons and Dragons-inspired quest through frost-covered land in search of a magic weapon to dispel the realm’s icy curse.
POWERTHRONE
This song shifts gears into a slower, more melodic zone. The song’s dramatic synth swells and guitar leads create an atmosphere of introspection and hope, giving the album a nice change of pace after the previous high-energy tracks. Powerthrone’s lyrics dig into losing a loved one or a mentor, and having to press forward and carve your own path. The melody and lyrics work in conjunction to deliver an emotionally charged experience for the listener.
ETERNAL SCOURGE
Scourge brings the energy back up again with hard-driving riffs that come crashing in after an ambiance of spooky, almost vampiric organs and guitars that set the mood. Fast and heavy, this song is sure to be a favorite of any of the fans that prefer heavier music and getting caught in a mosh. The song’s lyrics dig into plagues and war, violence and loss, and the rise and fall of heroes.
STEEL CHRYSALIS
Steel Chrysalis is a more epic, symphonic track in relation to the others on the album. The song’s main riff delivers a healthy dose of groove that the listener can lock on to and enjoy the heaviness of the chugging guitars that follow. This track is the most reminiscent of the previous album in terms of sound, so for those that have been fans from the beginning, this track will feel very familiar. The lyrics go over themes of being true to who you are and growing stronger amidst hardship, eventually becoming the best version of yourself.
UNDEAD RENEGADE
Of all the tracks on the album, Undead Renegade is more akin to old school death metal than anything else written previously. Heavy, unyielding riffs carry on throughout the song to complement the fast and furious drums that set the pace of the song, and the solos and leads that reside in the song are gnarly and shreddy, true to form. The lyrics are, as the title suggests, about zombies and the undead as a whole. Visceral, heavy lyrics that fit the song like a glove and give the listener the excitement and terror of catching a slasher flick with their friends.
CYBERHAWK
Undoubtedly the cheesiest track on the album, this song acts as an easy, fun palate cleanser just before the epic finale of the album. A notable outlier in terms of sound, the song delivers an 80’s inspired pop song energy that gets your fist-pumping in the air. Complete with catchy choruses and arena rock-style guitar solos, Cyberhawk is drenched in nostalgia. The lyrics are reminiscent of cartoons we watched as kids about heroes in space, going planet to planet fighting the bad guys and saving the day. It’s an easy song for the fans to enjoy and connect with.
WINDS OF THE COSMOS
Winds Of The Cosmos is the title track of the album, as well as the grand finale. It begins with the melody that listeners heard at the beginning of the album in Andromeda, giving the album a sense of closure and consistency. This track is incredibly dynamic, moving from driving riffs to somber acoustic guitars in the bridge, and then dramatic breakdowns and guitar solos to reward the listener. The track sitting at just under 8 minutes takes the listener through the journey of a man lost in space, and his coming to terms with the end as he drifts toward a black hole. The song is emotionally evocative, carrying the listener through what are almost the five stages of grief. The song resolves with a sense of hope and accomplishment, wrapping up the whole album nicely.
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Album Title: Winds Of The Cosmos
Release Date: July 15, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: DistroKid
Track Listing:
1. Andromeda (2:25)
2. Revenant (5:30)
3. Ice Realm (4:08)
4. Powerthrone (4:30)
5. Eternal Scourge (5:32)
6. Steel Chrysalis (4:26)
7. Undead Renegade (5:04)
8. Cyberhawk (4:26)
9. Winds Of The Cosmos (7:44)
Album Length: 42:45
Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: A. Noir, N. Daggers, T. Gillman, G. Jurado
• All songs written by: A. Noir, N. Daggers, T. Gillman, G. Jurado
• Produced by: Nick Nodurft
• Mixed by: Nick Nodurft
• Mastered by: Stephan Hawkes
• Album Artwork by: Dan Goldsworthy
Album Band Line Up:
Nick Daggers – Guitar, Vocals
Guillermo Jurado – Guitar, Bass
Tim Gillman – Drums
Amethyst Noir – Vocals
Live Band Line Up:
Nick Daggers – Guitar, Vocals
Dahlia McAluney – Bass
Tim Gillman – Drums
Amethyst Noir – Vocals
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