It’s not often that you get one signing announcement from two separate labels, but in this case it’s not so surprising since Dark Essence Records and Karisma Records are sister labels, and on this occasion are joining forces to release both old, and new material from BLACK MAGIC.
Kicking things off will be Dark Essence Records, who on April 12th will re-release BLACK MAGIC‘s classic “Wizard’s Spell” EP, widely regarded as one of Norway’s finest underground metal releases of modern times, and long-unavailable.
Rooted in the speed/heavy metal traditions of the mid 1980’s, “Wizard’s Spell” was originally recorded during 2009/10, and released at the start of 2014. Rather than just being a retro- pastiche, “Wizard’s Spell” succeeds in sounding like a studio album that had actually recorded during the early eighties. Or, as one reviewer put it:
“For all intents and purposes this album could have been reissued from a 1981 release from a failing record company and no one would have questioned it. The band not only nails the sound but they create something so believable, I am hard pressed to find any flaws in it.”
In addition to the five-track “Wizard’s Spell“, the record will also include the demo “Reap of Evil“
Tracklisting as follows:
Wizard’s Spell
1. Black Magic
2. Rite of the Wizard
3. Voodoo Curse
4. Thunder
5. Death Militia
Reap Of Evil Demo
6. The Ritual
7. Night of Mayhem
8. Possessed
9. Embraced by the Occult
With the cover-art having been re-drawn from scratch by Linda K. Røed, “Wizard’s Spell” will be available in CD, Digital and Limited Edition yellow/orange “Fire” coloured vinyl, and can now be pre- ordered from the following:
All Formats: https://blackmagicnorway.bandcamp.com/album/wizards-spell-2
CD & Vinyl: https://www.darkessencerecords.no/webshop/
BLACK MAGIC had already disbanded by the time “Wizard’s Spell” was originally released, but a new line-up soon emerged, playing more blues-based late 60s/early 70s rock, but still with a hint of the occult.
Their debut full-length album will be released on Karisma Records either late this year, or sometime next year. And the wait will definitely be worth it.
More information about BLACK MAGIC can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/blackmagicnorway/