Project Description
NORTHLANE
‘Alien’
(Album Review)
Reviewer: Marissa Newman
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Alien is the fifth studio album for Northlane and they are not dropping the intensity that the fans are used to with this new release.
“I was raised in hell, but I made it out,” said Northlane vocalist Marcus Bridge.
“Raised in a place, I shouldn’t have been, and no child should have been, but I’ve been able to break free,” Bridge said.
This journey out of hell informs Bridge’s lyrics on the new album. Alien is the fifth album form the Sydney side metallers. For a band that have traditionally focused on wider issues in the outside world, it is easily the most personal statement of their career.
“I grew up with parents who were heavily addicted to heroin and other things,” Bridge said.
“With that addiction came aggression from my dad, my mum not being all there, being around drug dealers and people who owned clubs in Kings Cross, just places a kid shouldn’t be. Especially when you’re an infant growing into a child. I saw a lot of crazy stuff,”
The song Freefall on the album outlines the time that a gunman broke down the door of the Bridge family’s motel room.
“We were all staying there cos it was close to Kings Cross and the city, where my parents could score,” Bridge recalls.
“Some guy stormed through the door with a gun pointing at my dad. I’m guessing dad was either dealing drugs in his territory or he knew he had money or something. I was seven. That’s something a kid shouldn’t see,”
Even one of the more quiet songs on the album Sleepless, which can be described as an intimate, slow drum’n’bass number that incorporates chiming piano alongside dirgey, time-signature confounding riffing – charts a terror of a different kind, as Bridge discovered his mother; “didn’t try to stop or didn’t not support” his sister’s succumbing to a meth addiction.
”My mum has been an alcoholic most of her life, she cant help but lie and hide behind lies,”
“And after all that stuff with my sister I just wanted to separate myself from her. That song is saying, even though you’re still here, I’ve already said goodbye,” Bridge said.
This unflinching lyrical honesty is matched by an astonishingly confronting vocal performance from Bridge.
“When I do get into some of these more intense lines, something different is coming out of me,”
Remarkably, there is hope to be found amidst the horror of the album, particularly on the first single Bloodline. It features the powerful lyrics by Bridge “I was raised in hell, I made it out by myself”.
“The overall message in these songs, whether the song has a moral or an ending – some of them don’t, they just tell a story – but the light at the end of the tunnel is the fact I’m here singing these songs. I was able to see these situations and tell myself I’m not going to go down that path,”
While some long-time listeners might assume that the title Alien is a continuation of the space and futuristic themes that have characterised previous Northlane albums, it’s instead a reflection of the alienation Bridge felt as a child “who grew up in a weird, unusual household and who was bullied at school because of it”.
Bridge adds, “it encapsulates what Northlane have always been and what this album is for us. We’ve always been an outlier band. And I think with this change in music and style, it’s going to be alien to what people would expect us to do.”
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The change in style to which Bridge refers sees Northlane fusing their trademark technical metal brutality with disparate genres in a manner that’s sure to unsettle and confound.
“I wanted to make something that really disgusted people,” said guitarist Jon Deiley.
“I’m ripping a page out of the rulebook and making this disgusting amalgamation of sounds that should maybe never have been merged together in the first place. And I think that is the sound of the frustration within me.”
That frustration stems from what Deiley calls “people turning their backs on us”. He includes in that group sections of the music industry, and their former bass player Alex Milovic, who left during the writing process. (He’s since been replaced by Brendon Padjasek; the line-up is completed by guitarist Josh Smith and drummer Nic Pettersen).
“It definitely rocks the boat,” says Deiley of Milovic’s departure.
“Cos you think, ‘If you’re leaving, this music mustn’t be very good, otherwise you’d be keen on seeing where it goes.’ So, you end up doubting yourself,” Deiley said.
“I feel like a lot of writing got done during the period where something we call ‘the Northlane curse’ was very prominent,” adds Bridge.
“Just continuous things going wrong: communication with our label, something on tour not working out, and then our bassist leaving. All the stuff culminated into a big ball of stress,” Bridge said.
Bowed but not broken, the band continued to write, spending more than a year being “very meticulous with our melody ideas, minor musical things”, says Bridge. In the background, they started to take control of their career, with guitarist Josh Smith assuming management duties.
“In an energy sense and a financial sense, we’d hit the lowest we’ve ever been,” says Deiley.
“And Josh took the reins and got us out,”
True to Deiley’s word, Alien is an abrasive album musically, merging the worlds of metal and electronic music into one intense, pulverising whole. Eclipse sounds like a metal band and a rave DJ beating each other to a bloody pulp. Details Matter fuses angry drum’n’bass with a sickening riff (“If something made me feel sick to listen to,” says Deiley, “then that was the right move to make”). Talking Heads ends with a blast of distortion so feral you will wonder if your speakers have blown.
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For a band with their backs to the wall, writing songs about such deeply personal issues, there was comfort in returning to familiar haunts to record Alien, such as Chris Blancato’s studio in Sydney, where Northlane recorded their first EP, 2010’s Hollow Existence. Bridge did his vocals at Sydney’s Electric Sun Studios, where the quintet made their 2011 debut album, Discoveries. Having in the past worked with some of the world’s most acclaimed producers in David Bendeth (2017’s Mesmer) and Will Putney (2013’s Singularity, 2015’s Node), the band’s decision to self-produce Alien not only reflects the clarity of their vision, but also their determination to give this material the care it deserves.
“We just wanted to take a chance and rely on our own instincts of what our music should be,” says Bridge.
“I think because of that it’s definitely the most true to us as people,”
For a band marking their 10th anniversary in 2019, Alien is a bold leap forward; the work of a group fighting their way out of their corner by moving forward rather than looking back. Their previous three albums may have debuted in the Top 5 in Australia – with Node landing at Number One before going on to win an ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album, an accolade also awarded to Mesmer – but Northlane are in no mood to play it safe.
“For me personally, I’m not ever really satisfied,” says Deiley.
“I’ve still got a lot to prove to myself and the world, and I’m sure the other guys feel the same. I like to acknowledge the anniversary and think that’s great, but I like to quickly get over that and keep going. Push on to the 20,” Deiley said.
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Alien is the 5th studio album on their discography and the bands third album with singer Marcus Bridge fronting the powerful vocals required for a position in the Sydney native metalcore band. As with every album that the band has released Alien has a fresh new feel to it away from anything that they have every released before with the same hard-hitting vocals, low tuning and technical masterful drums, just changing up the style of writing from albums past.
The three pre-release singles that have been released are a signal point for things to come and set the tone for the feel of the album with not one song on the album sounding the same as another, there is a wide range of variety for everyone on this record. The lyrics right through the album are written with such intensity and such raw emotion, most of them speak volumes for themselves and need no explanation.
Details Matter
Much the same with the albums past we have a number 1 track with a catchy riff and an all-round head banger. This track is full of slow-paced riffs with eerie guitar riffs and hard-hitting drum backings.
“You tried to break me but I’m still here” belted out during the chorus as a firm standing Bridge saying you cannot break me. The lyrics display much emotion and then sung with such aggression adds a whole new level of intensity to the song.
Majorly dirty vocal driven with the use off creepy whisper vocals at points in the track for feel changes. The bend riffs throughout the whole song are an awesome touch and an effect not used to often in the lead riff. Great way to begin what is one the bands more intense albums both physically and emotionally.
Bloodline
The first single from the album and it is a display of dynamical beauty with great arrangement of parts. The song starts with new bassist Brendon Padjasek tuning a distorted bass line backed by the drum mastery that is Nic Petersen to set a tone for the whole song. Then Bridge comes through to start the verse with a low register vocal melody that is unlike much that we have heard from him before. It is a nice mix up from his usual high register cutting vocals. Then the core guitars to cut through in the choruses.
The arrangement of the song creates a dynamical wave that is truly a treat for not only lovers of the band but also a reference point for new fans to start with. All in all, Bloodline is a great way for the band to begin to promote the powerhouse that Alien is.
The general theme of the song is a terrible upbringing with lyrics such as “I was raised in hell, I made it out myself”, all the way to the intense screams of “you call this love” during the breakdown. The lyrical arrangement is set out in such a way that the most emotional lyrics in the song are the ones sung with most passion to fully paint the picture of a broken home that Bridge was raised in.
4D
From the very get go this is a fast paced almost 90’s EDM feel with a metalcore backing. Nic Petersen again showing why he is one of the best drummers on the planet, being able to keep the quick pace the whole song. Another highlight of the song is the catchy melodic chorus with the use of mid to higher range vocals that is a nice touch for those who love a nice melody, especially when its from the mouth of the ever-talented Bridge.
The use of a small and effective guitar solo by lead guitarist Jon Deliey is something that is not used to often by the band and is a nice touch. The use of programming and synths has been a big part of the bands repertoire from the word go, but for memory nothing quite like this with that almost rave music feel to it. The use of the EDM influence mixed with the metalcore base works well in 4D.
Talking Heads
Northlane are great at building initial anticipation for the main sections of there songs to cut through of punch fans in the face with raw metalcore. Talking heads starts with a synthesizer introduction before the ambient sound of the distortion pushes through to start the single string dominance that is the coupled well with its synth intro. The use of vocal effects during the verse to emulate the already low vocals before pushing through to his high register for the remainder of the song was very pleasing for the ears of all listening as it was a step away from the normal for the band.
The other focal point for the song in my opinion was the second verse/bridgeish section where they drop down to an even lower pitch to get all metal heads banging their heads and a sweet vocal melody for the singers to follow along to. This song was played at shows in the lead up to its release including their line of shows at the newly sprouted Good Things festival in December of 2018 all around Australia. The song was met with a roaring reception with people loving it from the word go.
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Freefall
Freefall feels a lot more like a song driven from the influence of their Node album with the repetition drumming patterns with powerful guitar licks in the style that we all know and love from the band. This is personally my favourite track from the album as all the sections of the song complement each other well. The mix of clean and dirty sections with guitar and vocals work well together to make a melodic dream for the chorus and core hit during the rest of the song.
I love the dropping a key in the breakdown which is a technique been used a couple of times in this album. Top track will be a banger for all fans. The lyrics were written about an event that occurred in the Bridge’s childhood in which a gunman broke into the motel room his family was staying at and attempted to murder his father – “loaded for slaughter, please don’t kill me in the face of my son and daughter, I still hear them screaming, but I cant feel at all” There are not many words that can completely paint a picture of a traumatising experience better than a quote straight from the mouth of his father from the event.
This gives the song a very real aspect for all listeners to put themselves into the scenario and understand the shear aggression of the lyrics being sung. This song is truly bone chilling to think that someone actually went through this and it obviously still affects them deeply each and every day.
Jinn
Straight in heavy, no mucking around with Jinn with the heavy hitting drums complimenting heavy guitars to breed a concoction of awesome metal with a sweet melodic chorus. The use of head voice in the chorus is a nice sweet touch to distinguish Jinn from other tracks and then power voice for the final chorus, Bridge really hit the spot vocally in this song. The change for the outro to an almost EDM kind of feel for a few bars was a nice different way to end the song on a different note.
Eclipse
Eclipse is another example of how metalcore influences can mix with electronic influences to make a heavy groovy ‘move your body’ kind of song. The riffs are simple but, in this case, simplicity is key to effectiveness. The return of the vocal effects in this song is also a nice touch to create it as a heavy but upbeat song with deep distorted vocals. The tempo change in the outro was a little bit unexpected but gelled with the rest of the song.
Rift
Sample tracks with vocals for the intro displays that again no two tracks are ever the same on a Northlane album. The second verse sounds like the band are playing their instruments with a synthesizer over the top for effect which is a very cool effect as it leaves the listener wondering whether this is all electronic. Leaving the metal core base out of this song has proven an effective tool to show the diversity of the band and that they are not just a heavy band with dirty vocal influence. They can do all!!
Paradigm
The use of odd chord shapes is something that Northlane has always been known for with the riff being simple enough but the chord types making the staple to bring the song together in unique fashion. This is a fast fun track and I can imagine it going off in a live setting. The basic 3-4 chord structure in the choruses isn’t utilised often in the metal scene but Northlane have a tendency of taking things under used and making them sound amazing in the form of their songs.
Paradigm is another example of simplicity is key mixed with the slightest variations to power chords can totally change the feel of a song.
Vultures
Vultures was the first song off the album to be released after being released in November of 2018 before the band had entered into the studio to start recording Alien. The song was a staple for things to come with the band stating that they were taking the album in a heavier direction that their previous album Mesmer, and this was seen on this track.
The song is a hard-hitting dirty vocal driven cornerstone for what the band are as a band. With dropping back to an earlier style for this song it was met with much pleasure from the listeners. This song was the only other song off the album that had been played multiple times at shows before the release of the album on there last line of shows in Australia at Good Things Festival.
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An awesome element to this song is the call and response of “SET FIRE!!” to set almost a medieval vibe to the song. This was a nice touch and was just another element that made this song a true headbangers dream. The band did not disappoint with the promise of heavier music with Vultures being exactly what any fan wanted it to be. There is a lot of dynamic range in this song showing that Northlane are still the kings of building anticipation with a drop and build again.
The structure of the song flows well with all the changes throughout with very little down time before being belted with another hard-hitting section. The shear intensity thrown into this song both on the record and on stage are truly phenomenal and this makes for one of the top tracks from the album.
Sleepless
The addition of many different instruments into this song such as piano and what sounds to be a saxophone over the drum samples is a nice change from much that we have heard from the band in the past. Complimented by a sweet flowing mid-range vocal line for the first half of the song. After roughly the half way point then the distortion and high hard vocals hit the listener with goosebumps.
Bridge has a way with his vocal melodies to hit the listener at the core and give them goosebumps and this is on full display in the high sections of this song. The changes between the softer sections to the harder sections are quite difficult for any band to pull off but in the case of Sleepless, Northlane pull it off absolutely flawlessly, but what more would you expect from Northlane.
All in all, this album in my opinion is one of the better releases of the album with definitely being focused on the heavier fans of the band. Solid release, looking forward to seeing the live shows to compliment and already awesome album. Well done Northlane.
ALIEN WORLD TOUR
AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
WITH GUESTS
COUNTERPARTS, SILENT PLANET & VOID OF VISION
Tickets Here
UNSW ROUNDHOUSE, SYDNEY
FRIDAY OCTOBER 11
TRIFFID, BRISBANE
SATURDAY OCTOBER 12
170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18
LION ARTS FACTORY, ADELAIDE
SATURDAY OCTOBER 19
CAPITOL, PERTH
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20
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Connect with NORTHLANE
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