Willow Wisp

Antuhuman Manifesto by Willow Wisp (Blastzone Entertainment)

The legend of Willow Wisp dates way back to the mid-80’s – even before Highwire Daze was conceived. There was nobody doing anything remotely close to what these demented dudes were envisioning back in the day. And now in the year 2010 AD, the situation is still pretty much the same. “Defy the mundane” is their rally cry as most metal types scratch their collective heads in wonder of what it all must mean. With tongue firmly embedded in bloody cheek, Willow Wisp fearlessly challenge music conventions like no other band this jaded town has ever seen.

Their twisted legacy continues with Antihuman Manifesto, a full length recording of avant-garde Black Metal – the kind of enigmatic masterwork that only Willow Wisp could achieve. From the surface, it’s all raw and desolate and perplexing – but delve deep into the confines of the material and there is a treasure trove of poetry and imagery to be captured. From the all out assault to be found in Prisoners Of Technology to the bleak and sinister Dead Man’s Ballad, the band creates a compelling tapestry of extreme sound.

Supreme Narcissist is a grand highlight, mixing in a punk rock attitude to the blackened proceedings. Everything Ends In Tragedy is a sonic reverie that comes across like Jim Morrison meets Darkthrone – yes it sounds crazy as hell – but remember, this is the fucking wacky world of Willow Wisp! Stay all the way through to the bitter finale, as Let Me Eat Your Dead concludes the album on a remarkably grim yet spacey note.

Founding member Toe Knee is mesmerizing on drums and larynx shredding – and has been perfecting the rituals of madness and intrigue throughout the years. Mr. Horrorble and Ibex destroy on the strings, supplying horrifically wondrous walls of distortion. And then there’s the wildly charismatic front man M6D6M6A, spewing out the abstract lyrics with an unearthly sense of conviction. With this lineup, the Willow Wisp beastie has been reborn, and will surely infect the earth with their cosmic nightmares for many more moons to come. An undeniable classic of baffling proportions. All hail the Wisp!!!

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

Willow Wisp on Myspace