LIZZARD: CvltNation Debuts “Blowdown” Drum Playthrough; Eroded Full-Length Out Now On Pelagic Records

Photo by Audrey Saint-Marc

French power trio LIZZARD has released a captivating drum playthrough for “Blowdown.” Now playing at Cvlt Nation, the track comes off the band’s lauded Eroded full-length, released last month on Pelagic Records.

Comments drummer Katy Elwell, “Drumming for me is a primal, tribal way of expressing myself. I love the flow of movement through rhythm! I approach drumming a little like a martial art, too. The drumming on ‘Blowdown’ is a good example of that, playing this song feels a bit like being in a fight! I love it!”

View Elwell’s crushing “Blowdown” playthrough via Cvlt Nation at THIS LOCATION.

View the band’s previously released videos for “Avalanche” HERE, “Blowdown,” HERE, “The Decline” HERE, and “Blue Moon” HERE. Stream Eroded HERE.

In related news, Elwell was recently included in a special YouTube series celebrating International Women’s Day. The project aims to inspire by discussing issues, sharing advice, and celebrating experiences. View Elwell’s interview at THIS LOCATION.

If color could communicate premonitions of feelings and introspective mental states, then the album cover of LIZZARD’s Eroded would be an adequate synopsis of the current state of the world: the ochre, brown, and green feel tired, worn, drained, eroded… but the bright yellow and orange and the central white parts insinuate a statement of hope, and in that the album art couldn’t be a more adequate representation of LIZZARD’s music: a melting pot of invigorating riffs, heavy driven groove, and catchy vocal lines. In early 2021, Eroded comes as a strong, hopeful voice expressing the suppressed yearning for an end of this madness which we all carry inside.

LIZZARD’s songwriting is often distinguished by intricate rhythmical patterns, but these are always woven into the fabric of immensely catchy song constructs. The technical prowess here is well concealed behind the glaring allure of the immediacy of raw, in your face rock music. In many ways, Eroded is a trip back to the best parts of the ‘90s, but in the sound of 2020.

Captured during a long month of voluntary isolation at the legendary Castle Studios in Germany, Eroded brings the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. “The vibe on the album is generally one of hope and an invitation to stay alert to the light within ourselves, and to keep moving towards brighter destinations.” Bring on the future and for once, let it be the past, as we knew it before the pandemic.

Eroded is out now on CD, LP, and digital. Find ordering options at this THIS LOCATION.

Forged in 2006, when drummer Katy Elwell, bassist William Knox, and guitarist/vocalist Mathieu Ricou met and discovered that they shared a common vision in music, LIZZARD soon set out to work on their sound with a mission to find their own idiosyncratic approach to contemporary rock music – music that makes confident reference to the past without romanticizing it. The band released their Venus EP in 2008 followed by their debut full-length Out Of Reach in 2012 which was recorded with Rhys Fulber (Paradise Lost, Fear Factory, Front Line Assembly) who proclaimed his love of the band’s “marvelous poly-rhythmical sound.”

It was their 2014 Majestic full-length that was met with great critical acclaim. A rawer, more spontaneous affair compared to its predecessors, the offering was recorded live and produced by the band themselves capturing the intense energy the band unleashes on stage. “We’re very much a live band creatively speaking,” says Knox. “All of the writing sessions happen in our rehearsal space rather than at home. We believe that to capture any vibe, the chemistry between members needs to occur in real time… at least for us.”

Shift, released in 2018, opened new doors for the French trio, “LIZZARD accomplishes the perfect balancing act between music that is challenging and catchy in equal measure,” raved Metal Hammer. The band opened for Gojira and Terry Bozzio who invited them to perform on Drum Channel and embarked on month-long European tours with the likes of High On Fire, The Pineapple Thief, and Adrian Belew Power Trio.

“Featuring prog elements, hypnotic riffs, and impassioned vocals, combined with elements of grunge, LIZZARD creates a sound that’s a little bit familiar and classic, but still a whole lot of new.” — Metal Injection

“The songs on Eroded are diverse, dynamic and deep, full of layers of expertly constructed and deftly weaved together songcraft. You’ll be appreciating their musicianship and songwriting AND singing along, no small feat in today’s world of hyper-niche everything.” – MetalSucks

“…a fantastic work of modern prog and post rock. It has a fabulous sense of history and knows how best to utilize its influences.” – Heavy Blog Is Heavy

“Eroded has balance between loudness and melody, making this album easily approachable for the masses… The harmonious and intense guitar riffs, the rhythmic bass, and drumbeats, and the strong lead vocals are the elements that make Eroded so artistic and wonderful.” – Nexus Newspaper

“LIZZARD can sometimes have a technical approach which is hidden by the music’s accessible, catchy nature. This intricacy helps to fuel the band’s songwriting, allowing them to craft songs that not only benefit from instant appeal memorability, but that also show an easy familiarity with the sort of depth and longevity that makes for music that’s easy to return to and gain great satisfaction from over time.” — Wonderbox Metal

“It’s rare in this day and age that you get excited each and every time an artist you dig puts out something new… everyone goes through ups and downs, peaks and valleys but sometimes, just sometimes, you find an artist that just hits that mark every single time so that when nary a note is heard from an impending new opus you can’t help but feel giddy. LIZZARD is one of those rare bands.” – Rock ‘N’ Roll Fables

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