French Symphonic Metal band Whyzdom aren’t particularly subtle. They don’t do things by halves, but then that’s part of their appeal. Their ethos seems simple – if you are going to do Operatic, Symphonic and Classical Metal, then do them with capital letters and underline them. This is a band that doesn’t seem to like the terms “elements of” or “occasional”. The album starts and it’s already so much over the top that you’ve just have to cling on as it soars ever upwards. You know Nightwish and Epica yes? Clearly, they’re just playing at it – damn them and their blatant accessible commercialism! Well, that’s the vibe I get from Whyzdom anyway…

Vocalist Marie Mac Leod lets fly with the operatic theatrics right from the word go, and continues with her Mezzo Soprano style, bending it (and at times downright ramming it) into the progressively edged Symphonic Metal that has taken on its own identity since she joined the fold back in 2015, with “Of Wonders and Wars” seeing the band growing more and more adventurous with that stable line-up as it has ever since. Pushing their own boundaries and proving that if they choose they can indeed do a Sirenia (‘Stonehenge’), a Diabulus In Musica (‘Child Of Damnation’), or maybe even a Pythia (‘War’)…but it’s obviously much more interesting to wrap it all up in their own exuberant delivery! Not only are there numerous classical interludes throughout the album, and more symphonia than you can shake a conductor’s baton at, Mac Leod also has a damn fine Metal voice that seeks out and plays on the chunky Metal riffs which weave and swim their way through the intelligent arrangements.

This is a Metal album first and foremost, that must be noted, it has just been embellished and dramatized to such a large degree that it takes on an extra life of its own. There are plenty of melodies and hooks, both vocally and musically, but the band aren’t interested in taking the easy route, so don’t expect to be instantly drawn in (though of course there is a more accessible ballad-esque track ‘Touch The Sky’ – probably just to prove that they can do THAT too!). On the whole, the songs grow, they expand…and THEN they invite you in, but you have to be open to the theatricality, exuberance and dynamism that I mentioned earlier. If you’re looking for a way in and you are of a slightly more reserved disposition, then the very least you could do is check out the excellent ‘Metropolis Lights’, which is probably the least operatic track on the album, then move on to ‘The Final Collapse’ and maybe dive in from there, as it would be a shame to miss out on the special moments this album has to offer if you are initially caught completely off guard by the eccentricity of album’s the opening tracks.

(8/10 Andy Barker)

https://www.facebook.com/WHYZDOMproject

https://scarletrecords.bandcamp.com/album/of-wonders-and-war