King Gizzard Ditches Guitars for Synth Mayhem

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard has unveiled their 28th studio album, "Alien Metal," a bold sonic experiment that sees the prolific Australian band forgoing guitars entirely. For this release, the sextet embraced the Eurorack modular synthesizer, allowing all members to play the complex instrument simultaneously. This significant departure from their signature garage-psych-rock sound necessitated a patient and deliberate creative process.

The band dedicated considerable time to "Alien Metal," reportedly scrapping more material than for any prior record. Stu Mackenzie explained that the album needed time to "congeal." Despite the advanced technology, King Gizzard maintained their DIY spirit, modding the Eurorack themselves and recording in their Melbourne warehouse studio. This period also saw them exploring other projects concurrently.

"Alien Metal" pushes King Gizzard further into dance music territory with its high-BPM tracks, building on previous electronic explorations like "The Silver Cord." Mackenzie described the process as akin to mad scientists creating explosions, emphasizing a deep dive into sound at a fundamental, atomic level. This approach has fostered a new appreciation for organic instruments and has reshaped how the band perceives sound itself.

While "Alien Metal" marks a new electronic frontier, King Gizzard also has two other albums nearing completion. The band is returning to more extensive touring next year after a comparatively quiet period focused on home and music creation. This year's touring includes their Field of Vision festival near Denver and four shows in New York City.