French stoner prog trio Wizard Must Die is gearing up to launch their highly anticipated sophomore studio album, L’Or des Fous, on November 15th via Klonosphere Records. Today, the band has partnered with Prog Sphere to unveil the visualizer video for their new song “Flight 19.”
Prog Sphere describes the track, stating, “Clocking in at over eight minutes, Flight 19 is a dynamic tour de force filled with instrumental passages that showcase the band’s ability to explore different domains within the rock spectrum. Expect circular riffing, post-rock atmospherics, and progressive rock unpredictability, all woven together seamlessly.”
The band elaborates, “Flight 19, with its story of a squadron of five TBM Avengers lost in the Bermuda Triangle, transcends notions of disappearance and re-appropriation. The title questions the quest for self through the passing years. What do we become when we choose to change, to ‘disappear’?”
Formed in 2013, Wizard Must Die has been riding the waves of the stoner rock scene ever since. Led by singer and guitarist Florent Michaud, alongside bassist Enguerand Dumas and drummer Robin Aillaud, the Lyon-based band blends direct rock with a progressive and psychedelic twist, often drawing comparisons to bands like Baroness, Mars Red Sky, and Motorpsycho. Their debut album In the Land of the Dead Turtles (2018) gained significant recognition for its exploration of stoner and desert rock genres.
Now, Wizard Must Die is gearing up for the release of their second full-length album, L'Or des Fous, due out on November 15th via Klonosphere Records. Recorded and mixed by Christophe Hogommat (Mad Foxes, 20's Falling Man) and mastered by Thibault Chaumont (Carpenter Brut, Igorrr), L'Or des Fous delves deeper into the band’s evolving sound, offering a more personal and introspective exploration.
The new album blends powerful riffs, intricate rhythms, and rich atmospheres. Its six tracks explore themes of personal evolution, change, and inner growth. To emphasize this transformation, Wizard Must Die incorporates new elements, such as saxophone and mellotron, expanding their sound beyond traditional stoner rock into more progressive and melodic territory. With influences from 90's rock, the album features subdued vocals and impactful choruses, with the French-language title track, "The Fool's Gold," capturing the essence of the band's evolving identity.