Review: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Nonagon Infinity
The newest release from Melbourne’s King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard definitely packs a punch. Nonagon Infinity is a relentless album that rarely allows room for recuperation. The album's pacing is so extreme at times that it can be exhausting. Without a doubt, Nonagon Infinity is the fastest and most energetic album that Under The Rockies has reviewed this year so far. Stuffed with everlasting guitar riffs from a multitude of performers, styles and sounds, along with a non-stop, full throttled rhythm section, Nonagon Infinity never lets up. The album uses indistinguishable transitions, faded vocals, and a constant array of effects as a way to create a musical experience, instead of a collection of tracks. Nonagon Infinity is the opposite of chart topping material. It’s loud, in your face, and often very strange. While it's music may appear simple and rather noisy, it is actually extremely layered and complex, as well as rather noisy. In other words, Nonagon Infinity is a weirdly wonderful rollercoaster of an album that definitely did not disappoint.
Nonagon Infinity is an album that was designed to play on repeat. The seamless transitions of the album are so smooth and unrecognizable that the tracks become blended into a never-ending loop of entertainment. Even the finishing track does not have a “proper” ending. The song continues to build energy through the use of riffs and an increasing sense of intensity provided by the drums. Once the track is at its maximum capacity, it slams into the album'us opening lines with effortless ease. On the rare occasion that the transitions are recognizable, they are both hypnotic and eerily natural. Depending on the track, the next few bars will be a continuation of the gentle, jazz display, or they will be a quick cut to the next harsh chorus.
Nonagon Infinity blends aspects of psychedelic rock, heavy metal, garage rock, and blues-rock together throughout its course. Along with never sticking to a concrete genre, Nonagon Infinity also does not shy away from instrumental experimentation. Every song on the album uses a creative choice of instrument, such as bluegrass harmonicas being played along side with heavy metal melodies, and almost a different sounding guitar on every single track.
I was weary of giving Nonagon Infinity a chance at first. The first few minutes of the album nearly shook me off because of its intensity. I wasn’t interested in listening to an album full of senseless pounding and head banging material. That said, I couldn’t be happier that I stuck with it. The album’s high energy is infectious after its style is accepted. Nonagon Infinity is definitely a lot heavier than the music Under The Rockies normally covers. If you typically prefer mainstream alternative, Nonagon Infinity may be a bit out of your comfort zone. Despite that, I highly suggest that you challenge your preferences by listening to Nonagon Infinity. The lyrics are strange, and the atmosphere of the sound is extreme, but in the end, it is simply a fun album to listen to. It is the type of album that was made with a mosh pit in mind, and the energy from those types of shows is transcended into its recordings. I guarantee that if you check out Nonagon Infinity, you will have a blast, even if it isn’t your usual cup of tea.
