Jon Leon - Bass, Guitars
Dylan Marks - Drum… Read Full Bio ↴White Wizzard is:
Jon Leon - Bass, Guitars
Dylan Marks - Drums
James J. La Rue - Guitars
Wyatt "Screaming Demon" Anderson - Vocals
BIO:
White Wizzard hails from Los Angeles CA. Tired of the down-tuned screamo metal that seemed to be everywhere, bass player Jon Leon formed White Wizzard in the summer of 2007. The goal was simple - to bring the songwriting, melody and good times back into metal and rock.
Over the next 5 years they released two full length albums 'Over The Top' (2010) and 'Flying Tigers' (2011) along with their debut EP ''High Speed GTO' (2007). They toured the world opening for some of the most renowned names in Heavy Metal and spearheaded the underground movement of the 'New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal'. Unfortunately the band was plagued by numerous line-up changes and found it difficult to build momentum.
Other than original founder Jon Leon the only other member that remained consistent was drummer Giovanni Dürst who joined in 2009. As a graduate of the Berklee College of Music (2006) Dürst incorporated his thrash influences utilizing his advanced double bass technique which has become an important part of the White Wizzard signature sound.
Towards the end of 2011, with multiple tours booked, and another line-up change the band desperately needed a lead guitarist. Enter Jake Dreyer who at the time was studying at Musicians Institute in Hollywood. Dreyer auditioned and two weeks later was touring the world. After being heavily influenced by Shrapnel artists Dreyer had developed a highly advanced 'shred' technique the likes of which White Wizzard had never seen.
Following those tours in the beginning of 2012 the band finalized its 'dual lead guitar' attack with the recruitment of British guitarist Will Wallner. With a more blues based melodic style influenced from guitarists such as Ritchie Blackmore, Wallner offered a much welcomed contrast to Dreyer. Together they could offer the full spectrum of styles and techniques while maintaining their own unique voice within the band. Immediately this partnership was put to test with the recording a new song called 'Torpedo Of Truth'. The song featured more lead guitar solos which was something that had been lacking on previous releases.
This set the tone for a new direction in sound and would sow the seeds for their highly anticipated third full length release. The only problem that remained was the band still hadn't found the right frontman. After returning from a successful trip to Japan they began to search for the perfect singer to complete the line-up. Will Wallner suggested Joseph Micheal who he had worked with prior to joining White Wizzard. His voice instantly grabbed the rest of the bands attention. Not only could Michael offer a powerful voice with a high range but he also had the personality and stage presence needed to front a heavy metal band.
The bands future started to look promising and they immediately toured the US and Canada in the summer of 2012. Word soon began to spread that White Wizzard were back with their strongest line-up to date. Following the tour they began working on a new album to be recorded at beginning of 2013 with long time producer Ralph Patlan. Appropriately titled 'The Devils Cut' the album features the most dynamic and diverse music the band has ever produced. Through years of struggle Jon Leon has matured and grown as a songwriter and now with a permanent line-up of talented musicians it seems his goal may finally come to fruition. 'The Devils Cut' will be released on June 25th via Century Media and Earache records.
War of the Worlds
White Wizzard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deadwing black dove
Demonic blitzkrieg fire
Dark Deadly funeral pyre
Valiant me would fight to save
and guard the fragile light within us
On the wings of angels - they will fly
Fire fight in the sky
So many more to die
Atomic clouds and fire
Now blackened everywhere
The opening verse of White Wizzard's War of the Worlds speaks about a chaotic and devastating event where a black bird (a symbol of death) came crashing down from the sky. This is followed by a demonic blitzkrieg fire that ignites a massive funeral pyre, casting a dark and deadly shadow over everything. In this terrifying atmosphere, the heroic "valiant me" fight to protect themselves and the fragile light that resides within them, symbolizing hope and goodness. They are aided by the angels who fly in to guard them from harm, even if it means sacrificing their lives.
As the song progresses, the gravity of the situation becomes more apparent. The "fire fight in the sky" takes many more lives and turns the once beautiful skies into a wasteland of atomic clouds and fire. The world has become blackened as the darkness consumes everything in its path. The lyrics depict a scene of destruction and chaos that resembles a warzone, with very few chances of survival.
Overall, the song War of the Worlds highlights the battle between good and evil and the consequences of destruction and chaos that follow when darkness triumphs. It depicts a bleak and hopeless world where survival depends on sheer determination and the courage to hold on to the light within.
Line by Line Meaning
Shot down from above
Falling from the sky, defeated and helpless
Deadwing black dove
Symbolic of death and destruction, the dark bird flies
Demonic blitzkrieg fire
An attack of evil, powerful flames
Dark Deadly funeral pyre
A somber scene of death and burning
Valiant me would fight to save
Brave warriors fight to defend
and guard the fragile light within us
Protecting the inner goodness that shines within us
On the wings of angels - they will fly
Guided and protected by divine beings, they soar through the air
Risking their lives to saw us
Endangering their own existence to protect others
Fire fight in the sky
A deadly battle waged in the heavens
So many more to die
Countless lives lost in the conflict
Atomic clouds and fire
Explosions creating clouds of destruction and flames
Now blackened everywhere
A desolate wasteland with little hope for the future
Contributed by Charlotte V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.