Wizards

Review

Some bands you grow up with. Others you grow out of. And then there comes a time or in this case an album that makes you question everything you thought you knew about them. Wizards is one of those bands for me. I was around 15 when their debut came out in 1995, but it wasn’t until 1997 that I actually got my hands on it. From the artwork to the music itself, everything felt simple—almost childish. But one thing was undeniable: Christian Passos could sing.

The band kept going, evolving through the years, releasing solid albums while Christian and Kadu refined their abilities. The Kingdom II in 2005 didn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessor, but it was still a respectable release. Then came The Black Knight in 2010 and the knight felt the weight of his sword.

The change was noticeable. Kadu’s guitar was gone, and Christian’s voice—or at least his performance—was no longer the same. For me, Wizards had lost part of its spell. At some point, it felt like the band had simply faded away. I even remember an interview where Christian said he wasn’t interested in Metal anymore and was making a living playing pop songs in restaurants. That felt like the end of the story.

Then came 2022. A reunion, possibly inspired by Helloween’s return, and a new album. I gave it a chance, but everything that once defined Wizards was missing. It felt rushed, opportunistic—like trying to catch a wave rather than creating one.

A few days ago, on my way to Aldeia das Oliveiras to celebrate Labour Day the only way I know—working—Spotify decided to throw something unexpected at me: Magic Moment. Five seconds in—and I knew. That voice. Christian Passos sounded like himself again. And just like that, the wizardry was back.

The Album

This track feels like a time machine to the golden age of Power Metal. There’s an honesty here that had been missing for years. It doesn’t feel forced. It doesn’t feel calculated. It feels real. A typical Power Metal hymn where speed meets melody in the best "Happy Happy Halloween" possible way! I still miss Kadu's playing, but it’s impossible to ignore what Charles Dalla brings to the table. There’s a sense of direction, of control, as if someone is guiding the band back to where it belongs.

The problem with singles is that they can lie. One great song doesn’t necessarily mean a great album. And that’s the question that remains. Is this just a magic moment… or the beginning of something real? For the first time in a long while, I actually want to find out.

Final Verdict

As a fan we can always hope that the Wizards found the inspiration and will to make that kind of music again. It seems the tide has turned again bringing the bands (Wizards included) from the golden age back to the surface again.