"Crumbling Castle" is the epic opening track from King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s twelfth studio album, Polygondwanaland, released in 2017. The song stands out as one of the band’s longest and most ambitious compositions, clocking in at nearly 11 minutes123.
Musical Style and Structure
- The track showcases the band’s progressive rock influences, featuring fluctuating time signatures, extended instrumental passages, and a complex, multi-part structure3.
- It blends heavy, hypnotic riffs with intricate rhythms and cryptic lyrics, creating a soundscape that is both psychedelic and cinematic.
- The song’s arrangement includes guitars, drums, bass, synthesizers, flute, harmonica, and even glass marimba, highlighting the band’s experimental approach3.
Lyrical Themes
The lyrics of "Crumbling Castle" evoke a sense of decay, existential dread, and the passage of time. The metaphor of a crumbling castle is used to explore themes of vulnerability, environmental threat, and the inevitability of change:
"I see through the bricks, to the sea, crumbling castle
Water's rising up, thick and green, crumbling castle
Inching closer each century, crumbling castle
Are we safe in our citadel?"4
The song’s protagonist reflects on the state of their world, questioning safety and permanence as the environment around them deteriorates. The castle becomes a symbol for both personal and collective fragility.
Album Context and Legacy
- "Crumbling Castle" serves as a gateway to the Polygondwanaland album, introducing its fantasy setting and narrative arc3.
- The track is regarded as a "crown jewel" in the band’s discography, celebrated for its complex composition and live performance energy23.
- It has become a staple of King Gizzard’s live shows, often featured in extended jam sessions and medleys23.
Notable Performances and Releases
- The studio version was recorded at Tender Trap Studios in Northcote, Australia, and features core band members on a variety of instruments3.
- "Crumbling Castle" has been released on special vinyl editions, including live versions from Paris, London, and Red Rocks2.
- The song has appeared in "trilogy" live performances, connecting it thematically to other tracks in the King Gizzard universe.
Key Credits
| Role | Members/Contributors |
|---|---|
| Vocals, Guitar, Synth | Stu Mackenzie |
| Guitar, Bass, Vocals | Joey Walker |
| Drums, Percussion | Michael Cavanagh |
| Harmonica | Ambrose Kenny-Smith |
| Guitar | Cook Craig |
| Recording Engineer | Ryan K. Brennan |
Selected Lyrics
"I don't want to be a crumbling, crumbling, crumbling castle
I don't want to fall into dust
I don't want nothing but to live on
The ache inside my keep spurs me on
I don't want to be visible
Polygondwanaland..."4
"Crumbling Castle" is a testament to King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s creativity and technical skill, blending progressive rock, psychedelia, and storytelling into a singular, immersive experience1234.
