Wizzard

Wizzard is a name used by several heavy rock and metal acts, but the best-known is Roy Wood’s post-ELO project from Birmingham, Warwickshire. Formed in 1972, this Wizzard combines glam rock, rock and pop-influenced songwriting with a highly produced sound. Its singles include “Angel Fingers” and “See My Baby Jive”, both built around a dense, Phil Spector-style wall of sound. The group also records more experimental material, including the album Wizzard Brew, which sits closer to an odd, avant-garde approach than to straightforward hit singles. The band remains active until around 1975.

Other acts using the name

There is also a blackened heavy metal band from Finland that forms in 1995 as Teemu Kautonen’s solo project. He handles all instruments on the first demo. The project later moves to Germany in 1997, when local musicians CY and Daniel join the line-up. Kautonen returns to Finland in 1997, then moves back to Germany in 2001 with CY and Daniel, while Johnny joins on rhythm guitar. Kautonen also uses the name Hexenmeister and begins on vocals, bass and guitars, with CY as Grobi on drums, Daniel on lead guitar and bass, and Johnny on rhythm guitar. Its releases include I am the King (demo, 1997), a split with Children of Bodom (1997), Devilmusick (1998), Wizzard (1999), Songs of Sins & Decadence (2000), Tormentor (2000), Black Heavy Metal (2001) and Metal Forever Vol. 1 (2003).

Two further Wizzard bands are noted: a heavy metal group from Belgium, and a Swedish heavy metal band from Hoting formed in the early 1980s. The Swedish band issues the single “Ninya Warrior” in 1986, splits after that release, and reunites in 2023 to play in Germany.