Electric Wizard – Dopethrone CD (Jewel Case, 2000, Rise Above)

Dopethrone is the third studio album from English doom metal band Electric Wizard, originally released in 2000 through Rise Above Records. Recorded at Chuckalumba Studios in 2000, Dopethrone expands on the crushing heaviness of Come My Fanatics... with massively distorted guitars, deep bass, hypnotic repetition and an intensely dark psychedelic atmosphere.

The classic early Electric Wizard lineup of Jus Oborn on guitar and vocals, Tim Bagshaw on bass and Mark Greening on drums delivers a dense and uncompromising performance across the album's nine original tracks. Produced and mixed by Rolf Startin, the recording captures the band's deliberately raw approach while giving the huge guitar and bass tones plenty of weight and space.

Dopethrone opens with Vinum Sabbathi and moves through some of Electric Wizard's most recognised compositions, including Funeralopolis, Weird Tales, Barbarian, I, The Witchfinder, The Hills Have Eyes and We Hate You. The album closes with its extended title track, Dopethrone, while Weird Tales combines three connected sections: Electric Frost, Golgotha and Altar of Melektaus.

The album continues Electric Wizard's fascination with occult imagery, horror cinema and dark psychedelic themes, with lyrical influences including H. P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard. Musically, Dopethrone builds on the heavy, psychedelic doom developed on Come My Fanatics... and represents a defining chapter in the band's early Rise Above Records catalogue.

Dopethrone was followed by Let Us Prey in 2002 and remains an important reference point for listeners exploring the heavier side of British doom and stoner metal. Its combination of low-tuned riffs, thick distortion, feedback, slow-burning grooves and psychedelic atmosphere makes it a natural choice for fans of Electric Wizard's classic era.

For collectors building an Electric Wizard or Rise Above Records collection, this album represents a key release from the band's classic early period and an essential album for anyone exploring British doom metal, stoner metal and the darker side of psychedelic heavy music.

Recommended if you like: Black Sabbath, Cathedral, Saint Vitus, Conan, Goatsnake, Weedeater, Church of Misery, Bongzilla, The Obsessed 

Artist: Electric Wizard
Title: Dopethrone
Label: Rise Above Records
Catalogue Number: RISECD073
UPC: 803341226357
Release Year: 2000
Duration: Album
Format: CD
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
Condition: New & Factory Sealed

Tracklisting:
1. Vinum Sabbathi
2. Funeralopolis

Weird Tales
3i. Electric Frost    
3ii. Golgotha    
3iii. Altar Of Melektaus    
4. Barbarian
5. I, The Witchfinder
6. The Hills Have Eyes
7. We Hate You
8. Dopethrone

Bonus Track    
9. Mind Transferral