Sydney metallers, Northlane have released their brand-new single, Talking Heads taken from theirhighly anticipated fifth studio album, Alien, out August 2 via UNFD.
Speaking on Talking Heads, which originally premiered on Chinglish via Twitch TV, vocalist Marcus Bridge said ‘Talking Heads talks about the insecurities and anxiety that come with growing up in a violent home with drug addicted parents. That trauma had made it difficult to express my thoughts and ideas in the past, both emotionally and creatively.’
He adds, ‘We started working on this song pretty early in the process and I think writing it actually started to erase a lot of that insecurity, helping me open up a lot more for the rest of Alien. I think it’s important to know that there are a lot of people who feel the same way. I hope with this song and the issues talked about on rest of the album, that people will start to feel comfortable opening up about their past, turning it from a weakness to a strength in the process’
Alien is available as Exclusive Vinyl, CD and Merchandise options in limited quantities worldwide via unfdstore.com.
For a band that have traditionally focused on wider issues in the outside world, Alien is easily the most personal statement of their career. “I was raised in hell but I made it out,”says 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.”
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”.
Produced by the band themselves, the album was recorded at 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.
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 – withNode 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.
ALIEN TRACK LISTING: Details Matter
Bloodline
4D
Talking Heads
Freefall
Jinn
Eclipse
Rift
Paradigm
Vultures
Sleepless
Those eager to see Northlane live won’t have to wait long. The band will be returning the the UK for a headline tour this winter. The band will be supported by Silent Planet andVoid Of Vision.
NORTHLANE TOUR
26th November Engine Rooms Southampton
27th November Academy 2 Manchester
29th November Garage Glasgow
30th November o2 Academy 2 Birmingham
1st December Electric Brixton London