Norwegian rockers WIZRD head down new paths on Elements, an unmistakable reflection of their fearless creative spirit and unique ability to blend the familiar with the experimental.
WIZRD has never been one to follow the rules, and with their highly anticipated second album, Elements, they continue to prove their sound knows no limits. By brewing up a potent mix of rock, indie, jazz, and prog, the band takes bold, unpredictable steps into uncharted territory, coming out the other side with an album that’s both eclectic and of one mind.
Recorded at Kai Ø. Andersen's legendary Athletic Sound studio in Halden, Elements embodies the spirit of both the studio and the city. The carefully crafted songs take on an organic yet spontaneous quality, with the ambiance of their surroundings leaving its mark on the album. Each track is the product of intentional choices, where a single adjustment could have radically changed the final outcome. The cohesive yet eclectic nature of the album speaks to the band's ability to experiment while maintaining a unique sound. From the extended instrumental passages to the more condensed, melody-driven moments, Elements showcases WIZRD’s fearless creativity to its core.
The band’s members bring a wealth of experience and talent to the table. Hallvard Gaardløs, known for his work with Spidergawd and Draken, anchors the band with bass and lead vocals. Guitarist Karl Bjorå (Megalodon Collective), keyboardist Vegard Lien Bjerkan (Soft Ffog), and drummer Axel Skalstad (Krokofant, Soft Ffog) round out the lineup, each adding their distinct flavor to the mix. The incorporation of Norwegian lyrics adds an intriguing layer to the album. Co-produced, recorded, and mixed by Dag Erik Johansen, Elements is a record shaped by both deliberate planning and moments of spontaneity, capturing the band at their most innovative.
One thing is for sure - Elements is unpredictable. Tracks like “Fraktal” begin with gentle, almost meditative piano and gradually explode into jagged, intricate guitar riffs, showing off the band’s ability to take introspective moments and build them into fits of fire. Elsewhere, songs like “Kaleidoskop” incorporate their jazz roots, merging complex time signatures and off-kilter rhythms with soaring guitar solos and lush keyboard lines. Despite the band’s penchant for flipping through genre’s like bins in a record store, the result is always unmistakably WIZRD and always feels rooted in a singular vision.