King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: The Return of Eclectic Innovators
It’s official: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are making their much-anticipated return to the music scene with their upcoming album, Alien Metal. This new release promises to push the boundaries of the band’s already diverse catalogue, marking a significant shift as they venture into electronic dance music (EDM). Scheduled to drop “later in the summer” — because who needs set dates in their creative whirlwind? — the album showcases the band’s endless capacity for experimentation.
A Teaser into the New Sound: “Level 5”
The first single from the album, titled “Level 5,” has already dropped, providing a tantalizing glimpse into this new sonic landscape. The official music video, directed by Hayden Somerville, adds an eerie visual layer to the experience. In it, a cult-like group is seen performing unsettling electronic surgery on an unsuspecting individual, capturing that unmistakable King Gizzard flair combining the bizarre with the compelling. This interplay of visuals and sound hints at a deeper narrative that the band is keen to explore, immersing listeners in an environment that blurs the line between reality and the surreal.
Live Performances and the New Era
Not only are they returning with new music, but King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard is also poised to steal the stage with their three-night stint at New York’s Forest Hills Stadium next month. This tour serves as a celebratory backdrop for their return, and the final night is touted as a “rave show,” promising an exhilarating atmosphere that matches the energy of Alien Metal. Following this, another rave night is scheduled at Brooklyn’s Under the K Bridge Park, further emphasizing the band’s commitment to establishing a vibrant, immersive experience for fans.
The Creation of “Nathan”
What sets Alien Metal apart is the innovative technology at its core. The band utilized a colossal modular synth affectionately named “Nathan” during the album’s creation. Each member contributed to this mechanized symphony, demonstrating how their collaborative spirit thrives. Stu Mackenzie, one of the band’s frontmen, described the experience of working with Nathan as revolutionary. He explained that rather than traditional instruments, the synth breaks music down into its components, allowing the band to rethink their approach entirely. Mackenzie expressed excitement over relearning music from the ground up, which reveals a deeply analytical side to their creative process.
Joey Walker’s Electronic Roots
Adding another layer to this exploration is the influence of guitarist Joey Walker, whose roots in electronic music laid the groundwork for the album’s direction. Walker remarked on his frustrations with technical boundaries in his past electronic endeavors, which were temporarily sidelined when he committed to King Gizzard. Now, with an opportunity to merge his electronic knowledge with the band’s collective creativity, he finds he can delve deeper into the genre than ever before. This collaboration creates a dynamic interplay between their varied musical pasts and a shared desire to innovate.
What to Expect from Alien Metal
Fans are eagerly anticipating the full tracklist for Alien Metal, which features eight intriguing titles, highlighting their eclectic approach:
01 Sapience
02 Alien Metal
03 Superheavy, Supercritical
04 Kill for the Steel
05 Level 5
06 Rapid Alpha Decay
07 Uqt
08 Atomic Collapse. Each of these titles seems to hint at a larger narrative or thematic exploration which will likely enrich their already complex discography.
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are once again poised to redefine musical boundaries in their own idiosyncratic way. With Alien Metal, they are not only introducing a new sound but also an innovative collaborative process that brings together their diverse backgrounds to create something truly unique.
