King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard Announce New Album Entropy, Two North American Tours

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are set to release their latest album, Entropy, on December 4, 2023. The record will serve as a companion piece to their previous album, Alien Metal, but according to frontman Stu Mackenzie, Entropy developed into a distinct project with a unique identity.

The band initially intended to unveil Entropy and Alien Metal simultaneously, but complications encountered during the Alien Metal sessions led to the decision to release Entropy separately. Mackenzie explained that the newer album required additional time to mature, ultimately emerging as a standalone work.

Entropy features tracks characterized by a faster tempo, clocking in at 160 beats per minute, and is set in the key of A. This contrasts with Alien Metal, whose songs are performed at 143 beats per minute in F sharp. The album includes eight tracks: Aeon; Heaven & Hell; Hard Sync; Rogue Wave; Angel; To Mercury...; Face of the Earth; and Entropy.

The release is accompanied by the debut of its lead single, "Rogue Wave," offering audiences an initial glimpse into the album's sonic direction. The approach continues King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard's exploration of intricate and evolving musical styles within the rock genre.

In support of Entropy, the band has announced two North American tours scheduled for 2024. The first leg will take place in August, covering a range of venues including Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego, and The Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington. This tour spans from August 5 through August 27, encompassing stops across the western and central United States as well as parts of Canada.

The second tour is slated for October and will cover additional cities including Dallas, Austin, New Orleans, Atlanta, Montreal, Toronto, Cleveland, and Chicago. The October dates run from October 6 to October 22 and will feature performances at venues such as the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans and the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

This extensive touring schedule underscores King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard's commitment to engaging with their North American fan base following the release of their new material. The selection of diverse venues, from amphitheaters to historic theaters, suggests a strategic approach to reach varied audiences.

The dual-release strategy involving Entropy and Alien Metal reflects a broader trend of artists experimenting with parallel projects that contrast in style and concept. By timing these releases separately, the band allows listeners to appreciate each album's unique qualities without conflating the two.

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s prolific output, as evidenced by consecutive album launches and extensive tours, challenges conventional album promotion cycles. This can intensify fan engagement but also demands sustained creative energy from the group.

Such a dense touring itinerary following a new album release could have significant implications for the band's live performance dynamics and catalog presentation, offering opportunities to showcase new compositions alongside established favorites.

The details surrounding Alien Metal’s challenges during production remain limited, leaving aspects of its development and eventual release timeline unconfirmed. However, Entropy’s clear identity established through tempo and key choices offers insight into the band’s evolving artistic direction.

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard's approach to releasing Entropy and mounting two North American tours within a calendar year illustrates an ambitious strategy to maintain relevance and momentum in a competitive music landscape.

The upcoming live performances will provide further context to how Entropy’s complex rhythms and tonal shifts translate to concert settings, potentially influencing future studio work and tour plans.

As 2024 approaches, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard continue to assert their presence through innovative projects and expansive touring, reinforcing their position within contemporary rock music.