Guckkasten returns with 'AURUM', a golden-scale third album

New chapter, 11 years on

Korean rock band Guckkasten will release its third studio album 'AURUM' at 6 p.m. KST on Sept. 18, marking its first full-length record in 11 years since 2014's 'FRAME', according to Interpark Entertainment's official channels.

The title borrows the Latin for gold and is framed by the group as a dawn-like glow that signals a refreshed artistic phase for the quartet. Official teasers confirm the digital release on Sept. 18 and the physical drop on Sept. 25, with pre-orders having opened on Sept. 3.

Double titles and 21 tracks

'AURUM' is led by double title tracks 'ROLLER' and 'KICK OUT', and spans 21 songs including 'Kairos', 'Angstblute', and 'Cup', showcasing the band's maximalist scope and thematic range previewed across highlight medleys.

A special remix of 'ROLLER' arranged with Korean traditional music elements is included on the album, reflecting the band's hybrid sensibilities flagged in official materials. The project underscores scale and curation, aligning with Guckkasten's reputation for meticulous production and conceptual depth in studio work and visuals. In tandem with the release, the band is staging an online XR exhibition titled 'AURUM XR Exhibition', expanding the album's universe through mixed-reality presentation promoted via their official video notices.

Guckkasten is also collaborating with sculptor Ji Yong-ho on exhibition pieces that interpret the album's 21-track messaging, as highlighted in comeback posts crediting his sculpture work. These initiatives extend the group's history of integrating visual art and concert staging into a synesthetic experience for audiences.

Who they are, and their sound

Formed in 2003 and reconstituted in 2007, Guckkasten is a four-piece-Ha Hyun-woo, Jeon Kyu-ho, Lee Jung-gil, and Kim Ki-bum-whose name derives from the German "zograscope," pointing to a lens on perception and imagery.

Their music has been widely characterized as psychedelic rock with heavy, theatrical edges and "explosive" vocals, blending progressive and alternative textures while resisting strict genre borders.

The band is noted for visually forward performances and an artistry that fuses dreamlike narratives with intricate arrangements, a profile that has cemented its standing in Korea's rock landscape, as also chronicled in entertainment features; in related coverage language, "according to MK Sports' reporting," the group's comeback has been framed as a high-concept return with multi-platform presentation