King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s Sonic Evolution: Introducing Alien Metal
For over a decade, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard have made a name for themselves as one of the most prolific and innovative bands of their generation. With an impressive catalog of 28 albums in just 15 years, they’ve explored myriad musical styles, from psychedelic rock to jazz-infused tunes and microtonal madness. Yet, their latest release, Alien Metal, marks a significant departure from their previous ventures—a bold plunge into the realm of electronic dance music (EDM).
The Electronic Turn
King Gizzard’s flirtation with electronic sounds began earnestly in 2022 with their remix album Butterfly 30001, featuring contributions from DJ Shadow. Building on this, the band released Made in Timeland, a downtempo project that showcased their ability to weave electronic elements with their signature style. The next stepping stone was The Silver Cord, a sprawling two-hour electro-disco epic brimming with Moroder-inspired vibes. The band’s exploration of electronic music reached new heights as they let their newest member, Nathan—a Eurorack modular synthesizer—take center stage during nine European raves, delving deeper into the pulsating heart of electronic music.
The Driving Force: Joey Walker
Amidst this sonic evolution, it is guitarist Joey Walker who has emerged as the catalyst behind Alien Metal. While fans typically associate him with his electrifying guitar work, Walker’s early forays into dance music date back to his time in the dubstep duo Trumpdisco. After stepping away from that scene to focus on King Gizzard, he returned to his electronic roots post-pandemic, releasing two solo albums under the name Bullant. This newfound embrace of electronic music finally paved the way for his ambitions to merge the dance music landscape with Gizzard’s eclectic approach.
Head honcho Stu Mackenzie, known for his leading role in the band, became increasingly receptive to these modern sounds during the creation of The Silver Cord. With Walker at the helm for Alien Metal, the band not only embraces the electronic genre but also showcases a broader, more inclusive creation process—producing music based on who is available and inspired at any given moment.
The Sound of Alien Metal
Right from the album’s opening track, “Sapience,” listeners are greeted with a full-throttle experience, showcasing a psychedelic trance ambiance that feels particularly daring when compared to the band’s earlier sound, reminiscent of garage rock legends like Ty Segall. The album effectively leverages the energy and spontaneity typical of dance music to deliver tracks that vary from the intense rhythms of “Level 5,” which bursts with a jungle-inflected groove, to “For the Steel,” the group’s first foray into Miami bass, illustrating the band’s adventurous spirit.
While Ambrose Kenny-Smith’s playful and campy vocals occasionally flirt with detracting from the songs’ danceability, they often find their place in innovative ways. In “Superheavy, Supercritical,” for instance, the repetition of the word “super” dissolves into an infectious hook that demonstrates Gizzard’s ability to integrate various elements of their sound cohesively.
An Immersive Journey
The album’s second half takes a more introspective turn, exploring deeper and more blissful soundscapes. Tracks like “Rapid Alpha Decay” delve into darker, subterranean realms, evoking the foreboding atmosphere of artists such as Ben Frost. The seamless transitions within this part of the album create a fluid experience that loops and morphs, leaving listeners entranced and engaged. What could have easily been perceived as a brief novelty now reveals itself as a consistent and high-quality exploration of dance music, emphasizing that Alien Metal is more than just a gimmick.
Themes of Bodily Incursion
At the core of Alien Metal, there is a profound thematic exploration underpinning its vibrant beats. The songs engage with notions of bodily change, referencing advanced intelligence as a corruptive force. Similar to how Infest the Rats’ Nest tackled themes of ecological disaster, this new project critiques our relationship with technology, observing AI as an aphrodisiac that seduces the living with promises of power yet ultimately leads to subjugation. Lyrics such as “Pump my body full with lead/Feel it run through metallic” in “Rapid Alpha Decay” encapsulate this eerie relationship, engaging listeners in a narrative that is both thought-provoking and rhythmically exquisite.
In summary, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s Alien Metal exemplifies a daring and thoughtful exploration into the realms of electronic music. This album not only showcases the band’s evolving sound but also serves as a reflection on their artistic journey, demonstrating that innovation and creativity remain at the forefront of their musical endeavors. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to their discography, Alien Metal presents a captivating experience that challenges and invites listeners to dance along with its infectious beats and profound themes.
