Yet another release from Kig Gizz, but is it anything new?
The fourteenth studio album from Australian giants King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard brings a more meaningful message wrapped in their heaviest adventure yet. Departing far from previous album, the much jazzier Fishing For Fishies, this album was recorded by just three of the seven full-time members, and approaches borderline Metallica level of thrash metal – a totally new addition to the lengthy Gizz repertoire.
The driving force of the album is the relevant issue of climate change, with opening track ‘Planet B’ reminding everyone – just in case they’d forgotten – to stop fucking up the earth. The incredible speed of the guitars is nothing new, a sound repetitive throughout all of the bands heavier excursions. It’s easy to let this sound take you over and leave you in awe, as this is by no means bad music, but this shows a lack of direction and experimentation. They’ve churned out again what they mastered before, even if it is coated in a heavier paint.
Ultimately, the album comes across as a time filler. In 34 minutes it touches on the chaotic and brilliant hailing of early Anthrax and Slayer, particularly on ‘Self-Immolate’, but at other moments it is a durgy sludge, a trip and fall of muddy noise longing for different ideas. Maybe that would have come with the minds of the rest of the band, but it seems to be too late for that now.
Haiku Review
A metal album
With an important message,
Lacking fresh ideas.
