French prog-rock power trio LIZZARD make a triumphant return with their fifth studio album, Mesh. It’s released on the 27th September via the awesome Pelagic Records
Recorded in their unique creative sanctuary—an abandoned factory—and produced by their long-time friend and collaborator Peter Junge, Mesh is a testament to the band’s ability to fuse raw, spontaneous live energy with meticulous studio precision. The album delves deep into themes of duality and control, exploring the tension between regaining control and the liberation of letting it go.
Kicking off with the electrifying “Unity” LIZZARD waste no time setting the stage. This opening track is a powerhouse of chugging riffs and Mat Ricou’s commanding vocals, creating an anthemic and exhilarating introduction that only grows more infectious with each listen.
“New Page” shifts gears with intricate vocal harmonies and noodly math-rock guitar work that echo the complexity of Delta Sleep. The song hits hard, especially during its explosive breakdown, satisfying genre aficionados and newcomers alike.
While tracks like “Elevate” and “Home” lean into more post-rock atmospheres, “Black Sheep” pays homage to a more classic rock era with guitar work in the intro reminiscent of Pink Floyd and a storm of thunderous drums and colossal riffs galore. The nostalgic threads of the album are woven with unexpected twists, such as “Mad Hatters” which showcases the band’s comfort in their quirky, yet accessible, space.
“The Unseen” opens with a beefy riff before veering off in an unexpected direction filled with psychedelic wailing guitar solos. The title track, “Mesh” offers a reflective interlude, a guitar piece that allows listeners to absorb the album’s journey before moving into “Minim” With its haunting synths and stripped-down guitar work, Ricou’s voice really shines on “Minim” making it a personal highlight that seamlessly transitions into closer “The Beholder” With driving basslines and crashing half-time grooves it fills a space in the heart that Black Peaks left behind as Ricou contemplates the cycle of life. The album comes full circle with Ricou’s playful, pithy refrain, “What goes around, comes around” leaving a resonant echo in the listener’s mind.
Mesh frames itself as both a poignant conclusion to one chapter and an optimistic herald of new beginnings, showcasing LIZZARD’s formidable compositional prowess and their ever-evolving artistry.