W!ZARD (post-punk / noise) : Debut album on April 12th

Since their beginnings, french post-punk / noise band W!ZARD have been rocking stages, known and recognized for their explosiveness and anger. The band was formed in 2018 by Romain Arnault (vocals and bass), Manuel Cayla (guitar and backing vocals) and Finn Sally (drums) in Bordeaux (France). Julien Bordenave replaced Finn Sally in 2021 (after the recording of their first EP). W!ZARD is mainly influenced by Anglo-Saxon rock. From the mainstream post-punk of Idles, Shame and Fontaines DC to more underground bands like Ditz, Gillaband, Crows and Deadletter. «We’re also influenced by bands from other countries like Crackcloud, Protomartyr, Model/Actriz, Viagra Boys and Show me the Body. These are artists with very strong identities, cross-over styles that inspire us a lot » explains the trio.

In June 2021, W!ZARD took things up a notch with their ‘Definitely Unfinished’ EP: 5 tracks that quickly won over the specialized press, taking them on the road of France and neighbouring countries for a good sixty shows, sharing stages with METZ, Last Train, the Psychotic Monks and Birds in Row. Because it has to be said, it’s on stage that the band has really built its reputation, offering a sincere, hard-hitting and staggering experience. In 2023, the band is part of the new FAIR selection, a national support programme which has also supported artists such as Lysistrata, The Psychotic Monks, MNNQNS ...

2024 promises to be even more intense for the frenchies, with the release of their first full-length, '‘NOT GOOD ENOUGH’’, scheduled for April 12th. Produced by the band’s own label (Wizard Music), it will be distributed physically by À Tant Rêver du Roi and digitally by BACO Distribution. This new opus captures all the band’s signature raw energy, while exploring new horizons straight from across the English Channel. Expect to be overwhelmed by a mass of emotions and a deluge of sound.

With this album, W!ZARD wants to open the door to more accessible rock, both in terms of production and atmosphere. ‘‘We want something that’s danceable, straightforward and pleasant to listen to, but that still retains the tension we’re known for... We want to be able to make the slacker in the cellar listen to this as much as our parents! We cover a wide range of themes because all three of us wrote the songs. We talk about differences, anger management problems, the monotony of a relationship, self-hatred, but also hatred of a world that’s going to shit’’ explains the band. The name of the album, «NOT GOOD ENOUGH», evokes their pessimistic view of life. 10 songs recorded in 10 days (in June 2023 with Amaury Sauvé at the Apiary studio in Laval, France). The result is a rock album, diversified, with more vocal melodies and chord progressions, pianos, synths and tons of guitar. ‘‘NOT GOOD ENOUGH’’ is also much more produced than their first EP ‘Definitely Unfinished’, which was something raw, recorded live.