Released: 2000
Label: Rise Above Records
 


The band Electric Wizard are considered by many Doom Metal fans to be the heaviest band on the planet, a title not to be taken lightly. I for one tend to agree with this statement as their crushing riffs, hammer horror lyrics and weed induced vibes create a heavy sound which many bands fail to capture. Since their formation in the early 1990s Electric Wizard has conjured up two classic Stoner Metal albums and Dopethrone is one of them.
 
Opening with ‘Vinum Sabbathi’ the band delve into their black magic rituals, as front man and lead guitarist Jus Oborn weaves tales of black planets and frozen moons; painting pictures of alien worlds which set the imagination on fire. As the song fades out a single riff remains forming ‘Funeralopolis.’ As the sound of a Bong is fired up the riff kicks in and blasts the listener into the cosmos. Mid tempo the pace changes radically into a celestial trip with half time drumming and otherworldly vocal effects.
 
With ‘Weird Tales’, a monolithic fifteen minute track, the band has created one of the heaviest songs in its back catalogue. With its mind numbing guitar effects the song becomes a multi tentacled beast; as drummer Mark Greening smashes his drums and the swirling effects create an otherworldly dream like effect.
 
The bands love of the Sweet Leaf is evident in many of the tracks; none more so than in the title track ‘Dopethrone’. A Herculean, monstrous riff which clouded in dope smoke creates an uneasy feeling of dread with its central riff and lyrics of ‘Sorcery [and] necromantic slaves’. The track has gone on to become a fan favourite as it highlights the band at their most inventive and original, while at the same time keeping to the Wizards formula of simplistic but effective riffs. 
 
 While the album is created by stoners for stoners, its thick riffs linger in the most sober of minds. Yet the sheer power of the album can be better understood while under the influence, as the listener is taken on an interstellar trip of astronomic sounds and otherworldly images. 
 
Dopethrone is a THC drenched masterpiece, a loud, noisy, angry record which captured the band at their most creative and inventive. While the band has released other significant albums since, they have failed to capture the evil, barbaric sound of Dopethrone. While first time listeners may find the album hard to stomach, hardcore Doom fans will find much to enjoy. Hail the Wizard!!!

Posted In Classic Albums, Jun 28 2010. Words - Saul Crowley