King Gizzard drops Alien Metal this Friday

Prepare to dive deep into the sonic chaos, because King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are set to unleash their 28th album, Alien Metal, as a surprise for their devoted fanbase.

The highly anticipated release drops at midnight on Friday, August 14th. But the celebration doesn’t stop there; thousands of fans will be simultaneously marking the milestone while attending the band’s second annual Field of Vision festival this weekend in Buena Vista, Colorado.

This new record is a testament to the band’s signature psychedelic exploration. It builds directly on their previous electronic work, The Silver Cord, and was crafted almost entirely on the band’s sprawling modular synthesizer rig, “Nathan.” Every finished track emerged from a single, hour-long improvisation in the key of F#, showcasing the unpredictable nature of Gizzard’s creative process.

Musically, Alien Metal is a wild journey. Multi-instrumentalist Joey Walker describes the project as something that “goes really hard, but it also goes to really interesting places. And it feels unique — it feels like us, still.” The album is a masterclass in genre-bending, juxtaposing intense sounds and experimental textures.

Tracks on the record offer extreme variety: “Sapience” pulses as a techno neo-rave experience, while “Level 5” steps into early Prodigy and hardcore jungle territory. Then there’s “Superheavy,” hinting at house music, and “Kill for the Steel,” which embraces weird IDM infused with heavy Miami Bass influences.

The energy of Alien Metal is only half the story; this weekend at Field of Vision promises an explosive live experience. The band will be playing their first proper live shows since last December, and the entire event will be streamed live on YouTube for free.

Frontman Stu Mackenzie will also be taking center stage, offering a rare solo set tomorrow morning. Beyond the main performance, the festival is packed with immersive, bizarre activities designed to push boundaries. Attendees can experience a “gong bath” overseen by drummer Michael “Cavs” Cavanagh, participate in a drag story hour, and engage in an “acid yoga” session.

Adding to the surreal atmosphere are performances from a diverse array of artists, including Blood Incantation, Die Spitz, DJ Crenshaw, W.I.T.C.H., Angine de Poitrine, Earth Tongue, Folk Bitch Trio, Lisa Bella Donna, Pattie Gonia, and Upchuck. Even Walker’s electronic side project, Bullant, will bring a thumping set to the stage.