Review: BIZAR BAZAR “Circus Metal Maniac” (2013)

Reviewed by Dylan Raine

Artist: Bizar Bazar
Album: Circus Metal Maniac
Label: Independent (Self Released)
Year: 2013

Tracklist:
1. At the Doors of the Bazar
2. Big Party
3. Rolling Across the World
4. Lost Inside the Bazar
5. Under Your Shoes
6. Jump in the Dark
7. A Pill to Think
8. Punching to the Wall
9. Bitter Poison
10. Mr. F
11. Metropolitan Animals
12. Mocassino
13. Finizo

Bizar Bazar is a mix of Metal, Rock and Folk with a touch of insanity, and the insantiy is fully present throughout this album.

Circus Metal Maniac originally heavily reminded me of White Zombie’s ‘Astro Creep 2000’. Full of high octane music crammed with little niches that keep it above the rest; combining traditional folk, with all the wonderful instruments and textures you would expect, yet there is something a little special hidden in the background waiting to impale you. In terms of musical expression, every time you think you’ve got a ounce of a clue what’s to come you get a total shock like in the mid-section to ‘Lost Inside The Bazar’ which is very Greenday/Korn but on acid. I love the accordion mixed with metal, totally strange, but really fun.

The album combines elements of Groove metal, Thrash, Gothic Metal, Folk, Melodic metal, Hard Rock and a few Black Metal examples. The additions of the spoken increments really make you wish you were in the studios watching this in the making.

With the dreamy, psychedelic ‘A Pill to Think’ introduction you start losing yourself to the lights and sounds BIZAR BAZAR are putting in your head. Powerful lyrics and Opeth-esq melodies, this is one of the most defining tracks on the album.

Another exceptional track is ‘Punching to the Wall’ with the energetic music dragging you around the room. Heavy guitars, fast powered drums, and vocals that demand attention. Track by track you get something new to tease you into delving further into the insanity being given to you… it’s worth it.

Overall, ‘Circus Metal Maniac’ is an exceptionally well crafted, fun album, absolutely full to the brim of metal… No, ‘REAL’ metal. With mixes of OPETH, MARILYN MANSON, PRIMUS, WHITE ZOMBIE, SOAD, (early) BLACK SABBATH, and many, many more.

I loved it. It suited my sense of humour, and musical understandings.

(rating 9/10)

…Remember ‘You don’t want sleep’…

BizarBazar Lineup: