Metal Underground.com

Wizards of Kaos splits the difference between sludge and speed on the band's self-titled full-length debut, with a sound that blends Motorhead speed with stoner rock riffs and solos. It's mostly a good blend that will have fans of the likes of Kyuss buzzing with joy.

A lot of the credit for that has to go to the twin-ax attack of Dan Moore and Ritche Perez. Check out how the lead guitar line and Moore's vocals play off each other on tracks like "Running Red" and the opener, "Zeroes And Ones." The solo on "New World Mistress" is worth the price of admission, as is the one that closes "White Face."

Not that the riffs are given short shrift. "New World Mistress" offers a Sabbath-style death march a la "Children Of The Grave," while "Bombs And Gasoline" and "Coyote Eyes" and "Sixteen" both flirt with punk rock.

Moore's vocals aren't anything special, but he's proves adequate to the task at hand, with a particularly good performance on "New World Mistress."

There are a couple of filler tracks that could've been left off for a more cohesive, tighter experience. The instrumental "Ear Hole," in particular, feels extraneous, as does "Digging Up Our Dead."

Also, the production feels a little lightweight. The bass guitar is nearly nonexistent and Jim Barter's drums often lack heft.

Still, the riffs are solid and the solos are smokin' much of the time. That makes it much easier to recommend Wizards of Kaos to those looking for a sped-up stoner metal experience.