King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, the Australian psychedelic rock band known for their prolific output and genre-bending tendencies, took a sharp turn into heavy metal with their 24th studio album, “PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation,” released in June 2023.
The album title, a mouthful in itself, sets the tone for the music within. “PetroDragonic Apocalypse” is a full-on thrash metal assault, a blistering departure from the band’s previous explorations of jazz, microtonal music, and even boogie rock.
Opener “Motor Spirit” throws the listener headfirst into the chaos, a distorted riff matched by Stu Mackenzie’s characteristically ferocious vocals. Tracks like “Supercell” and “Converge” showcase the band’s knack for intricate songwriting, even within the confines of the thrash metal genre. The album throws in a curveball with “Gila Monster,” a slower, bluesy number that builds to a crushing conclusion.
The album isn’t all aggression though. The title track, a vinyl exclusive, provides a brief moment of respite with its melancholic atmosphere.
“PetroDragonic Apocalypse” is a thrilling experiment for King Gizzard, proving their ability to conquer yet another musical style. While it might surprise fans accustomed to their more eclectic sounds, the album is a masterclass in thrash metal, showcasing the band’s musicianship and songwriting prowess.
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