NORTHLANE | Alien | Album Review

Music that is made to reflect on someone's personal struggles is usually described by a band as the material they are most proud of. It's that release of energy that can inspire others to relate to the message presented in the lyrics and help them to get out of a negative situation. For a band as heavy and diverse in style as Northlane, many listeners may or may not know the concept that's prevalent throughout the band's fifth studio album, "Alien". Marketed as a step further from the impressive discography they've already forged for themselves, "Alien" sets to seek not only a heavier and more abrasive direction in the music but also goes much further in its lyrical content and themes. The album's primary focus is on frontman Marcus Bridge's childhood and how he was raised, which is far from what any child deserves to experience. This serves as a catalyst for the style and tone presented throughout the album. In an interview prior to the album's release, Bridge makes that point crystal clear: "In the past, we have written about various things that we are passionate about, both personal and broader issues, but with "Alien", we took a different approach and dug deeper to match the tone of the music." This progressive metalcore band from Australia is well known for creating a rhythm that is instantly captivating and carries a vast majority of the albums and songs they've created. But it is just as amazing to see them continuing with that style from previous releases but also providing more depth to the lyrics, while also adding more colors to their sonic palette. 

Several singles were released before "Alien" dropped, the earliest of which was "Vultures" which was originally supposed to be a standalone cut before being added to the album as it seemed to fit well with the themes. Three other tracks, "Bloodline", "Talking Heads", and "Eclipse" were released after the album was announced, and all three of these songs are excellent. For the purposes of this review, we'll be talking about "Bloodline" and "Talking Heads" first as those were the two I listened to before the rest of the album aside from "Vultures". "Bloodline" is the heart and soul of this disc, digging into Bridge's childhood and the fact that his parents were drug abusers, and lines about being "raised in hell" and living in "hotel homes" paint a grim picture of what he experienced. On top of that is the stellar musicianship heard throughout the song, representing a cross between the band's riff-heavy sound in the chorus and the breakdown and a much more electronic and industrial tone in the verses. It's a phenomenal mix. What is also excellent is "Talking Heads", which touches upon the after effects of such an experience. "Talking Heads" also gets more brutal and is comparable to the standard style typically found in Northlane's music, with the combination of the guitars and the drumming selling it almost effortlessly along with Bridge's performance which is all over the map. Both tracks are paced perfectly and don't get boring, and you really feel the power behind each element presented, whether it be musically or lyrically. This is probably the best one-two punch to receive before an entire album is dropped and it doesn't let up for one second. 

Throughout the album, you are greeted to more of this new mix between industrial and electronic and Northlane's metalcore mixed with djent style they're known for. The difference with most evolutionary albums that have taken a more electronic route is that Northlane do not just harp on one style and choose that as the standard for the entire of the album. One track may be heavier relying much more on guitar riffs and Bridge's varying screaming vocals. Another may rely more on industrial sound stylings with riffs that are utilized on occasion. Whatever this album goes for, it executes both in a well-calculated fashion while touching upon the dark themes that are a staple on "Alien". The opening track "Details Matter" kicks the door down in an aggressive and blistering manner and does not experience a lull for even a moment. It's truly one of Northlane's angriest tracks with Bridge's excellent delivery and it's what I want to hear from this band. Following up the energy are tracks such as "4D", "Rift" and "Jinn" which provide a lot of variety to the album as a whole. "4D" has been compared to "Hybrid Theory" era Linkin Park which seems like it fits well given the song's overall style. "Jinn" is similar to "Details Matter" by way of heaviness but feels much more akin to the band's previous material. Tracks like "Rift" and the album closer "Sleepless" dial things back and get much softer but also do not dial back the quality in terms of sound. It's an album of tracks that connect well sequentially in terms of style. The performance from each member on these tracks is just as impressive and intricate, including new member Brenden Padjazek who provides additional screamed vocals to counteract with Bridge's phenomenal vocals all over this album.

It goes without saying that I cannot conclude this review without bringing up some of the important tracks on the album. As you listen to "Alien", you encounter tracks like "Paradigm" and "Vultures" which fit like puzzle pieces with the themes and messages they're getting across, but it's really "4D", "Freefall", "Eclipse", and the closer "Sleepless" where I feel the lyricism delves the deepest into Marcus Bridge's past. "Freefall" references a particular event where a gunman entered the Kings Cross motel Bridge and the rest of his family were staying at, pointing a gun at their father which was traumatizing for him and his sister to watch. The tracks "4D" and "Eclipse" take a further look into Marcus's childhood with well written lines like "Someone just like me took the world away from you" and "Salted streams of dismay cascade down my swollen face" appearing in their respective tracks to paint the picture of misery that took place. "Eclipse" is also noticeable for its closing section where they slow the tempo down while Bridge repeatedly shouts "I will never let myself be like you". Probably the most potent track on the album is "Sleepless", a harrowing track that brings up his sister's substance abuse and his mother's lackadaisical refusal to keep her away from such a poison. It feels right for this track to be one of the slowest tracks on the album since this is such an emotional topic, and Marcus Bridge's performance is absolutely perfect. In this song, he is able to go from quiet to loud almost in an expert fashion all while still remaining passionate and honest while singing lines like "I know you're alive but in my heart I've said goodbye". It's such a perfect way to send the album off that it's almost insane. 

Most album reviews conclude with me pointing out a couple of flaws or things I would improve about the album. With "Alien", there is almost nothing I'd consider a real flaw or a detriment. If I was forced to try and find a flaw about this album, the closest thing to one would be that some tracks deliver a little bit less. But that's typical with any album. Every phenomenal album has tracks which don't level up to others in terms of quality. However, every track on this album works. Every song on this album connects well in terms of musical style and lyrical content. No song feels incomplete or derivative in this entire 43-minute record and it's a statement like that which will get more people interested in what Northlane have to offer. "Alien" is easily going to be the album that makes Northlane one of the metal scene's biggest names. With its lyrics regarding a number of topics that need more awareness and solutions in our world such as drug and child abuse, Northlane have delivered an album that needs to be noticed by as many music fans as possible as I'm positive there is something for everybody on this album. Overall, Northlane continue on their musical journey with some of the highest quality progressive metalcore ever created. This is an album for anyone who is sick of cookie-cutter metalcore bands with cliche lyrics and unimpressive songs to listen to immediately and admire. For an album titled "Alien", there are many reasons why this should not be alienated. 

RATING: 10/10 

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