King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard Unveils New Album: Alien Metal
Australian psychedelic rock band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard has long been celebrated for its genre-defying explorations, and their latest announcement only exemplifies that adventurous spirit. The band has revealed their upcoming album, Alien Metal, set to drop later this summer, marking what they describe as their venture into the world of electronic dance music. For fans eager to catch a sneak peek, the group has released the first single, “Level 5,” accompanied by a visually captivating video directed by Hayden Somerville.
A New Sonic Frontier
Alien Metal stands as the follow-up to their previous effort, Phantom Island, and signifies a creative pivot into the realm of electronic soundscapes. The band has experimented with a modular synth setup over the past year, a transformative experience for the group. Frontman Stu Mackenzie shared his thoughts, emphasizing its impact on his musical perspective: “It completely rewired my brain. I was like, ‘I’m going to forget everything I know about music and relearn it all from scratch.’”
Within this journey of reinvention, Mackenzie also noted an unusual level of experimentation during the album’s creation. The band reportedly scrapped a considerable amount of material, producing entire albums’ worth of content only to delete it and start anew. This cycle of creativity showcases their commitment to exploring new sounds while ensuring that the end result is uniquely them.
Distinct, Yet Familiar
Described as the “techno head of the group,” Joey Walker weighs in on the essence of Alien Metal. He asserts that while the album leans into the energy of electronic music, it maintains the band’s signature touch. “It goes really hard but it also goes to really interesting places,” he explained. Fans can anticipate a sound that combines both the frenetic energy of dance music and the band’s characteristic psychedelic and experimental influences.
The Visual Experience
Alongside the musical release, the debut of “Level 5” plays a crucial role in setting the visual tone for Alien Metal. The music video, crafted by Hayden Somerville, captures the essence of the track and offers fans a glimpse into the album’s aesthetic universe. The pairing of this energetic single and its engaging visuals suggests an immersive experience for listeners, making it a compelling introduction to the new chapter for King Gizzard.
A Closer Look at the Album
The album cover of Alien Metal is a visual treat, encapsulating the eclectic and vibrant style King Gizzard is known for. It promises to be just as impactful as the sounds contained within. Here’s a look at the official tracklist:
- Sapience
- Alien Metal
- Superheavy, Supercritical
- Kill for the Steel
- Level 5
- Rapid Alpha Decay
- Uqt
- Atomic Collapse
Embracing Change
As King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard prepares to unveil Alien Metal, the band continues to showcase their fearless approach to music-making. This willingness to experiment with new genres while maintaining their distinctive style reflects their evolution as artists. Given the bold direction and the significant shifts in their creative process, fans can expect a thrilling auditory journey through this anticipated release.
With Alien Metal, they invite listeners not just to hear, but to feel and experience the very fabric of an evolving musical identity that challenges boundaries and embraces innovation.
