Five months after King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard pulled their music from Spotify, an act called King Lizard Wizard, allegedly using generative AI, appeared on the streaming service.

Digital Music News reports that fans discovered a track by the alleged generative AI impersonator through Spotify’s weekly Release Radar function. The track, called Rattlesnake, was pulled from the real band’s song of the same name and even featured identical lyrics.

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard fans on Reddit also picked up that each song “released” by the alleged AI act had the same title as an official King Gizzard song, and the lyrics followed the Rattlesnake trend.

Fans who searched for King Gizzard’s official Spotify profile found a blank account – aside from the band’s remix of the Confidence Man song, SICKO. Fans were pointed to the King Lizard Wizard account directly below it.

Now, the account has been taken down.

Discussing the matter with The Music, a representative for Spotify said, “Spotify strictly prohibits any form of artist impersonation. The content in question was removed for violating our policies, and no royalties were paid out for any streams generated.”

King Gizzard frontman Stu Mackenzie also shared a response to the situation, simply noting he was “trying to see the irony in this situation,” adding, “But seriously wtf we are truly doomed.”

In September, Spotify announced changes to its AI Policy. At the time, it introduced a new impersonation policy that clarified how the streaming service handles claims of AI voice clones and other forms of unauthorised impersonation.

According to the policy, vocal impersonation is allowed on Spotify only if the original artist gives their OK. Spotify also noted increased investment against fraudulent music uploaded to official artists’ profiles.

“Unauthorised use of AI to clone an artist’s voice exploits their identity, undermines their artistry, and threatens the fundamental integrity of their work,” Spotify said in September. “Some artists may choose to license their voices to AI projects—and that’s their choice to make. Our job is to do what we can to ensure that the choice stays in their hands.”

In July, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard explained that they’d be removing their music from Spotify due to CEO Daniel Ek’s position as Chairman of the German defence company Helsing, which invests in AI military drone technology.

In addition to his position at Helsing, it was reported earlier this year that Ek’s investment company, Prima Materia, held a €600 million (approximately $1 million) investment in Helsing.

Making their opposition known to Ek, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard said of their decision to remove their music from Spotify:

Hello friends. A PSA to those unaware: Spotify CEO Daniel Ek invests millions in AI military drone technology. We just removed our music from the platform. Can we put pressure on these Dr. Evil tech bros to do better? Join us on another platform.

All 27 albums from the prolific Australian band were removed from the streaming service.