Alright, so before we begin, Black Magic is a total throwback act. There is no mistaking the band’s love fore early 80’s occult based traditional metal which gestated in the period before extreme metal. With that said, the “black/thrash” tag which this band has been filed makes sense but only in historical context. This is what music sounded like when speed mixed with heavy metal and people started to get turned on to darkness. I am stopping everything as Black Magic has currently gone unnoticed for a few months. This is an injustice as it is one of the most entertaining and enjoyable records of the year. Quick, grab your denim jackets and high top sneakers, we have a time trip to get to.

Wizard’s Spell is the debut record following a couple of unnoticed demos. In fact, the band’s first record acts as an introduction as their previous material has already be packed at the end of the record. From the opening atmosphere of the self titled intro, Black Magic rides a carousel of pulp material full of possession, demons, rituals, and good old fashioned Satanic fun. How does this demon worship differs from others? Well I feel Black Magic’s evil is only cardboard thin and songs like “Rite of The Wizard” and “Voodoo Curse” to be on similar caliber to bands like Mercyful Fate. There is darkness here but it is meant to empower rather than scare.

There is currently little information available about Black Magic. 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. I am usually critical of bands that bank their entire existence on the throwback sound without a sturdy future plan yet Black Magic is somehow different. The band not only nails the sound but they create something so believable, I am hard pressed to find any flaws in it. Aside from some thin production, the entertaining qualities mask any criticism I could have for the record. Personally, this is just coming from someone who adores bands like Quartz, Death SS, and more King Diamond than most people would reasonably allow. With that said, if you get the aesthetic and are comfortable with is, Wizard’s Spell is everything you need for a Friday night. Possibly a couple weekends from now.