Sophie Johnson
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard have added a new reptile-centric track to “The Gizzverse” with their latest release, ‘Gila Monster’. This song serves as a precursor for their upcoming album, set for release in June.
Known for their experimental sound and unique style, King Gizzard & the Lizzard Wizard have released their new single: ‘Gila Monster’. Debuted in Tilburg on the European leg of the band’s 2023 tour, the Australian band’s sound truly comes through in the new track.
GILA MONSTER tomorrow! AND you can pre-order the new album* 1 hr later
Time to party
Gila drops at exactly 5am LA / 8am NY / 1pm UK / 2pm CET / AEST 10pm MAY 16
*cbf typing it – u know what it’s called@SPOD_ZONE pic.twitter.com/2Ko3NgQqEi
— King Gizzard (@kinggizzard) May 15, 2023
The Gila Monster
Even though the song’s second line describes the Gila monster as a “creature of magic” – they are in fact very real! Despite their fearsome reputation, these lizards are not generally dangerous, and therefore rarely pose a threat to humans.
However, the Gila monster in this track acts as a metaphor with very different connotations to the real-life creature. The band describe Gila as a “blood spiller, witch killer”, aligning with the album’s theme which centres on the destruction of the Earth as a result of fossil fuel use.
At the end of the track, Frontman Stu Mackenzie says: “Annihilation of planet earth and the beginning of merciless damnation,” subtly dropping the album title. The final line of the song: “All hail King Gila,” signifies the end of the power struggle between man and beast, which is described throughout the track.
What’s Next from King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard?
Many fans are hoping that the new sound explored in this track signals the band’s move back to thrash metal. They also hope that the group will play into this sound for their upcoming album. Some fans claim that it reminds them of Judas Priest, and others hope this single is the sign the band will take their sound in a nu-metal/punk direction.
“[The albums will] be very different sounding to each other, but we are going to try to make them complement each other”
‘PetroDragonic Apocalypse’ is due to be released on 16th June, as one of two upcoming ‘Yin and Yang’ concept albums. The band’s bassist Lucas Harwood said: “They’re going to be very different sounding to each other, but we’re going to try to make them complement each other in a yin and yang kind of way. We’re all writing lyrics for both albums again, which has been fun.”
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Featured image courtesy of Yvette de Wit on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
Soph Johnson
Soph is a self-proclaimed musicophile, hot chocolate connoisseur, and a sort-of polyglot. She is also an avid lover of film photography, movies, and books.