Den Atelier, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg19th December 2019
Northlane - “Alien World Tour” UK / Europe - Support: Polaris, Void of Vision
“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.” That journey out of hell informs Bridge’s lyrics on ‘Alien’, the fifth album from Sydney metallers NORTHLANE. 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,” says Bridge. “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. I saw a lot of crazy stuff.”
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”. “But also,” he 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.”
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.”
Additional Concert Info
Doors: 18:30
Start: 19:00
Tickets & Info: https://www.atelier.lu/shows/northlane/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/859299051077310/
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