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Murder of the Universe
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Murder of the Universe Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

  • Summary: The second of five albums set to be released in 2017 by the Australian psychedelic rock group is a concept album about the end of the world.
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Murder of the Universe
The spatter becomes a spray, the spray becomes a stream And the stream becomes the waterfall Munt is finally cascading from my input The creeping... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Under The Radar
    Jun 23, 2017
    85
    Prepare for all the fiery guitar solos, vocal howls and whoops, and the ever-present double-drummer attack and honking harmonica you could ever need. Overall, Murder of the Universe is an audacious, wild masterwork by a band who can never rest.
  2. Q Magazine
    Jul 6, 2017
    80
    It doesn't hold back on the lysergic craziness. [Aug 2017, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Record Collector
    Jun 20, 2017
    80
    The Tale Of The Altered Beast: Part 1. A New World could have easily sat on Blake’s New Jerusalem before the guys drag it into highspeed psychedelic punk insanity.
  4. The Quietus
    Jul 10, 2017
    80
    While its episodic narrative veers off into realms of absurdity akin to standalone send-ups, it proves--especially after a repeated listen--a fun, texturally dense celebration of the possible, a showcase of real daring that has been the payoff of countless prog odysseys of yore, the perfectly bonkers lineage of which it so clearly stems.
  5. The Line of Best Fit
    Jun 23, 2017
    75
    Murder is hellishly dark, terminally weird and subsequently very funny.
  6. Paste Magazine
    Jun 20, 2017
    74
    With the songs segueing from one to another, neither the mood nor the message are ever in doubt. That’s fortuitous; despite its ample stock of songs--21 to be exact--the album still clocks in at just under 45 minutes.
  7. The A.V. Club
    Jun 23, 2017
    33
    Overall this record requires a huge narrative commitment, with the payoff of a vomit coffin. Not worth it.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Burgigham
    Sep 12, 2022
    9
    this album is rediculous. the spoken word, insaine synth, and firey guitar solos make for an absurd lovecraftian roller coaster.
  2. AdmiralJones42
    Jun 23, 2017
    9
    King Gizzard have done it again. The most prolific band in the world has once more managed to create a masterful record woven with intricateKing Gizzard have done it again. The most prolific band in the world has once more managed to create a masterful record woven with intricate polyrhythm, punishing drive, far-out narrative, and complex musicianship in a short matter of months since their last release. Their signature blend of psych and prog garage rock mixed in with heavy elements of doom metal and math rock help to create one of the most impactful and creative listens of the year. Don't be fooled by the 22-track listing, this album is truly only 3 long chapters subdivided into short segments. Very highly recommended.

    Best Track: "Chapter I: The Tale of The Altered Beast"    … Expand
  4. Music_Observer
    Nov 13, 2017
    8
    This work of psychedelic rock art is full to the brim with ambition, direction, and power that shakes the listener to their core; if theThis work of psychedelic rock art is full to the brim with ambition, direction, and power that shakes the listener to their core; if the listener is willing to fully take this work in as it’s presented, it can be cooler beyond imagination. My Score: 146/180 (Great) = 8.1/10… Expand
  5. framk
    Jun 23, 2017
    7
    Best way to describe this album is "Nonagon Infinity pt. 2". Gizzard is known for mixing things up in nearly every album, and I supposeBest way to describe this album is "Nonagon Infinity pt. 2". Gizzard is known for mixing things up in nearly every album, and I suppose splitting the album into 3 chapters is something new, but in this it felt a little too safe, a little too familiar. Hell, these guys are insanely prolific musicians, and with 3 albums this year, they're severely under the gun in terms of generating content. Looking forward to the next album for sure, but to me this was an incredibly okay album.… Expand
  6. Aniican
    Jun 26, 2017
    7
    KGATLW sectioned off this album into 3 parts. Part 1 (which is my favorite of the 3) is a high energy Prog/Doom Rock roller coaster. Part 2KGATLW sectioned off this album into 3 parts. Part 1 (which is my favorite of the 3) is a high energy Prog/Doom Rock roller coaster. Part 2 expands on Nonagon Infinity (particularly People Vultures) and does so pretty well. Part 3, In my opinion, is the weakest of the bunch. its not bad, but for me, does not match the first 2 Parts in Narrative and Quality.… Expand
  7. CiphirSol
    Jul 10, 2017
    7
    Oh boy, if only I could get a version that condenses the smaller tracks into something larger and removes the overdub narrative I could reallyOh boy, if only I could get a version that condenses the smaller tracks into something larger and removes the overdub narrative I could really get down to this. KG is at their best when playing something tight and cohesive like Nonagon, this gets a bit sprawling at time, but most of the cogs are in the right place.… Expand
  8. CPaccini
    Jul 22, 2017
    7
    Very energetic and creative, however, King Gizzard seems to be diluting their music by not investing their full attention on any one project.Very energetic and creative, however, King Gizzard seems to be diluting their music by not investing their full attention on any one project. Murder Of The Universe is a fun and refreshing listen that is worth checking out.… Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

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