Review Summary: Is Wizard Vs Demon - a return to True Metal
“Wizard Vs Demon” is Henry Metal's second album. It came out about a month after the first one and the project already shows progress. It isn't the progress towards ridiculous slapstick lyrics that one might expect given the comedic focus of “So It Hath Begun,” but more a progress of production and serious songwriting.
It delves more into the realm of mythic storytelling and tribute to legend, although with a very campy and humorous treatment. Subjects include the succubus, the samurai, the wizard and the demon and more modern heros (?) such as hackers and leakers. Henry makes fun of modern medicine in possible side effects and reminds us about the ongoing nuclear spill in a sarcastic and Sardonic song called “Fukushima Ceviche.” The record finishes up with an over-the-top and, in my opinion, downright stupid ode to 80's rock in the song “Rock Out.”
In some ways, the crux of the record is a song called “Heavy Metal Is Dead.” While still campy and perhaps a touch juvenile in spots, the song manages to deal skillfully with where Metal and Hard Rock currently fit within the music marketplace. It seems that nostalgia and reflection are currently carrying the torch for the hard rock and metal and it also seems that the genre is going to require a reboot beyond slicker recordings and more outrageous costumes.
