Photo by Marie Beaufils Durand
France-based, prog-rock power trio LIZZARD has released “The Beholder,” the latest single from their forthcoming fifth studio album, Mesh, set for release on September 27th via Berlin’s Pelagic Records.
Capturing the energetic, lightning-in-a-bottle optimism of the late ‘90s post-punk/art-rock scene and reigniting it with simmering potential, Mesh sees LIZZARD out to reclaim the creative, collaborative energy that has fuelled them for over a decade.
Having first met in 2006, drummer Katy Elwell, guitarist/vocalist Mat Ricou, and bassist Will Knox quickly realized they shared not only similar creative influences but also a distinct musical vision. The trio set out to craft an unmistakably contemporary rock sound that sought to resonate emotionally with the listener whilst being unafraid to challenge them too. The result is heavy, hook-laden and so much greater than the sum of its parts.
After eighteen years, four full-length albums, and countless international tours alongside the likes of Gojira, ORK (King Crimson/Porcupine Tree), The Pineapple Thief, and Soen, LIZZARD returns with Mesh; a propulsive product of the raw, spontaneous might of the band’s live prowess, pent up for so long by events outside of their control, and the production precision of their studio experience alongside long-time friend and collaborator, producer Peter Junge.
Album closer and latest single, “The Beholder,” packs all of LIZZARD’s reinvigorated intensity into six epic minutes of bittersweet guitar refrains, driving basslines, and pummeling half-time grooves, all documented live in the track’s accompanying video, as Ricou considers the infinite cycle of life from his own perspective. A testament to the band’s formidable compositional prowess, “The Beholder” ends as it starts, forming a closed loop. With Ricou’s playful, pithy refrain of, “What goes around, comes around,” left ringing in our ears, LIZZARD masterfully frames Mesh as both a poignant conclusion to the last chapter and as a bright new beginning.
Issues the band, “‘The Beholder’ is about stopping for a moment to step back and take in the great cycle of life as it touches everything around you. The moment we finished this song, we knew it had to be the last track on the album.”
Watch LIZZARD’s video for “The Beholder” HERE. Stream the track HERE.
Watch the band’s previously released video for “Black Sheep” HERE and stream “Elevate” HERE.
Mesh will be released on CD, LP, and digital formats. Find preorders at THIS LOCATION.
Fans of Tool, King Crimson, Karnivool, Sparta, Radiohead, Deftones, Faith No More, and Helmet, pay heed.
Mesh Track Listing:
- Unity
- New Page
- Elevate
- Black Sheep
- Home Seek
- Mad Hatters
- The Unseen
- Mesh
- Minim
- The Beholder
LIZZARD:
Mathieu Ricou – guitars, vocals
Katy Elwell – drums
William Knox – bass
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