Speed Prog. There is a two-word review for you. A concise and to the point critique of these Motor City rockers. The whip cracking Editor Commander Woods demands more bang for his non-existent buck so I will endeavour to extrapolate further.
White Magician are an offshoot or side project or warty growth of The Great Kaiser’s White Magician which shares three of the same musicians but is a separate band entirely. Confused? Well for the understanding of this review you don’t need to be.
This is the band’s first full length and they swim in the same pool as Dead Lord and Venomous Maximus – think slightly psyche tinged good time 70’s rock with lumps of Thin Lizzy curdled up in it. What is added in is a more proggy approach than straight foot up on the monitor rawk. Opening with the title track which tells a tale of three blind card dealers employed by a fella who controls the game called “life”. This is pure 70’s basement dwelling, D and D playing Rush and roll. You want cowbell? You got it!
The single off the album “Mad Magic II – In the absence of Gods (Mad Magic) has a healthy dose of Uriah Heep in it with a guitar lead that makes you wanna go back to back with your axe wielding pal. Time for Michael Moorcock and strange bubbling pipes!
Dunno what happened next though. Did white Magician take a trip to Greektown in Detroit and visit my favourite pizza joint in the world “Pizzapoppolis” coz they go all Zorba the Greek on me.
An instrumental track of bouzouki and folk guitars sticks out like a smashed plate bit “Fading into the Obscurity of Ages” is just that. Curiouser and curiouser said Matt.
Things return to the magic laden lands of the 70’s from here on with the jazz funk of “Magia Nostra” a groovy standout. Power of the Stone has a bit of a glam stomp to it and a vocal like a new born puppy howling at the moon. Awwwwooooooooo! Plenty to stick your thumbs in your pockets and shake what your mother gave ya to.
The album completes its hand with “Spectre of a Dying Flame” 8 minutes of proggy rock goodness with flourishes that bring to mind Geddy Lee and Co.
Dealers of Divinity is a fun slice of nostalgia that makes up for what it lacks in originality with good musicianship and a sense of flair.
(6.5/10 Matt Mason)
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