Wizard (German band)

German power metal band

Wizard

Background information
Origin| Germany
Genres|

* Power metal
* speed metal
* heavy metal
* viking metal

Years active| 1989–present
Labels|

* Massacre
* Limb
* B.O.
* Bow

Website| legion-of-doom.de

Musical artist

Wizard is a German power metal band, formed in 1989 by the drummer Sören "Snoppi" van Heek.[1] The band was often called "Germany's answer to Manowar".[2] Most of the band's lyrics are about battles, metal, war and steel. There are some exceptions, for example Odin, which is a concept album about Norse mythology; Goochan, which is a fantasy story about a witch (written by Volker Leson and author William B. Nuke); Thor, which is also about Norse mythology; and ...Of Wariwulfs and Bluotvarwes, which is about vampires and werewolves (written by Wizard and Andre Wiesler, German author).

Wizard played at Wacken Open Air 2002,[3] Bang Your Head!!! 2002, Keep It True 2004, Dokk'em Open Air 2006, Magic Circle Festival 2009[4] and is in the 2012 lineup of Hammerfest IV.[5]

## History

[edit]

In 2003 longtime guitarist Michael Maass quit the band because of health problems. Dano Boland became a new guitarist for the band in early 2004. In 2006 the band left the label Limb Music after three albums and joined the somewhat larger label Massacre Records, with a new album in mind to be released on 27 January 2007, titled Goochan. On 18 May 2007, Michael Maass returned to the band after a four-year break.[6]

## Reviews

[edit]

The band's 2009 album Thor received a positive review from The Pit reviewer Frank Heise, who praised "The Visitor" as the best track on it.[6]

The band's 2011 album ...Of Wariwulfs and Bluotvarwes received a positive review from SLUG Magazine reviewer Dylan Chadwick noting that "well trodden, and admittedly formulaic, it's a resoundingly competent platter of steel-willed, fist pounding heavy metal that'll satisfy the most voracious headbanger's hunger."[7]

## Band members

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### Current members

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* Sven D'Anna – vocals (1989–present)
* Sören van Heek (Snoppi) – drums (1989–present)
* Michael Maass – guitars (1989–2003, 2007–present)
* Arndt Ratering – bass (2013–present)
* Tommy Hartung – guitars (2020–present)

### Former members

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* Volker Leson – bass (1989–2013)
* Dano Boland – guitars (2003–2020)

### Timeline

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## Discography

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### Demos

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* Legion of Doom (1991)

### Studio albums

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* Son of Darkness (1995)
* Battle of Metal (1997)
* Bound by Metal (1999)
* Head of the Deceiver (2001)
* Odin (2003)[8]
* Magic Circle (2005)
* Goochan (2007)[9]
* Thor (2009)
* ...Of Wariwulfs and Bluotvarwes (2011)[10]
* Trail of Death (2013)
* Fallen Kings (2017)
* Metal in My Head (2021)

### Compilation albums

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* Louder Than the Dragon (2004)

## References

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1. ^ "Sören "Snoppi" van Heek". drummerszone.com.
2. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Wizard: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
3. ^ "DRAGONLORD Confirmed For Germany's WACKEN OPEN AIR Festival". Blabbermouth.net/Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
4. ^ "MANOWAR: Video Footage From The Studio Posted Online". Blabbermouth.net/Roadrunner Records. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
5. ^ "Line-up". Hammerfest. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
6. ^ a b "Wizard: Thor." The-pit.de. Accessed February 2012.
7. ^ Dylan Chadwick (20 October 2011). "Blog Exclusive CD Reviews". SLUG Magazine. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
8. ^ "Interview With Sören van Heek". Maximum Metal. 22 October 2003.
9. ^ "WIZARD To Release 'Goochan' In February". Blabbermouth.net/Roadrunner Records. 25 December 2006. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
10. ^ "WIZARD To Release New Album In March". Blabbermouth.net/Roadrunner Records. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2012.

## Further reading

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* "Wizard". Massacre Records. Retrieved 17 February 2012.

## External links

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* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Wizard

Studio albums|

* Head of the Deceiver (2001)
* Odin (2003)
* Goochan (2007)
* Thor (2009)

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* France
* BnF data
* Czech Republic

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

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