What makes Infest the Rats' Nest by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard notable?

Infest the Rats' Nest received critical acclaim for its bold departure into thrash metal territory, solidifying King Gizzard's reputation as genre innovators. It debuted at number 17 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was praised by outlets like Pitchfork for its conceptual depth and sonic aggression, helping to expand the band's audience beyond their psychedelic rock roots. Released on August 16, 2019, Infest the Rats' Nest is King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard's fifteenth studio album, following their ambitious five-album release in 2017. At this point in their career, the band was exploring heavier sounds and thematic depth, marking a distinct turn towards metal influences that would characterize their subsequent work.

Who is Infest the Rats' Nest for?

Infest the Rats' Nest works well if you're into steady pacing for focused listening, cathartic release through chaos and energetic burst for workouts.

How many songs are on Infest the Rats' Nest?

Infest the Rats' Nest has 9 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Infest the Rats' Nest

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard · 2019

34 min · 9 tracks · psychedelic rock

A relentless fusion of heavy metal riffs and unhinged garage rock energy, channeling dystopian themes with raw intensity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Planet B — The opening track sets a fierce tone with its aggressive riffs and apocalyptic lyrics, immediately immersing listeners in the album's dystopian narrative.
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Superbug — This track showcases the band's ability to blend thrash metal with pointed social commentary, creating a satirical reflection on environmental destruction.
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Self‐Immolate — A climactic moment on the album, it features intricate guitar work and intense vocals that encapsulate the existential dread explored throughout.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's intense energy and thematic consistency create a compelling yet challenging listen.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track that features rapid-fire drumming and aggressive guitar riffs, setting a relentless pace.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for focused listening
cathartic release through chaos
energetic burst for workouts
immersive experience of dystopia

Maybe skip if you

seekers of mellow soundscapes
prefer melodic simplicity

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — A bold shift into thrash metal, differing from their established sound.
Themes: apocalyptic landscapes· environmental destruction· dystopian nightmares
Career context: Released on August 16, 2019, Infest the Rats' Nest is King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard's fifteenth studio album, following their ambitious five-album release in 2017. At this point in their career, the band was exploring heavier sounds and thematic depth, marking a distinct turn towards metal influences that would characterize their subsequent work.
Stylistic neighbors: Ty Segall· Pond· Tame Impala