King Gizzard Unleashes 'Alien Metal': EDM Apocalypse Tale

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard have fully embraced electronic music with their latest album, "Alien Metal." This record represents an audacious leap into full-bodied EDM, serving as a stark cautionary tale about technological apocalypse.

The Australian band has progressively explored electronic sounds in recent years, culminating in this album. "Alien Metal" was primarily driven by guitarist Joey Walker, who previously toured as part of a dubstep duo and released solo electronic music. His vision brought the band into the realm of big-tent EDM.

The album opens with a pulsing psytrance track called "Sapience," followed by "Level 5," a jungle-influenced song, and "For the Steel," their first foray into Miami bass. While Ambrose Kenny-Smith's vocals occasionally challenge the electronic flow, they are often integrated in novel ways, enhancing tracks like "Superheavy, Supercritical."

In its latter half, "Alien Metal" delves into more atmospheric electronic territories. Songs like "Rapid Alpha Decay" explore subterranean soundscapes, creating a continuous, evolving listening experience. The album's theme revolves around bodily incursion, where advanced intelligence corrupts the flesh, presenting AI as a seductive force leading to subjugation.