Album Review: Northlane - Node

It would be hard to imagine the atmosphere surrounding the recording of Northlane's third studio album. From the departure of a lead singer with a quick introduction of replacement Marcus Bridge, to the band's shift in sound and direction gleaned from a series of tracks spoon-fed to their cult following, there has been no shortage of backlash and harsh critics. Now, finally, the band release Node as their proof that the expansion in sound and songwriting is turning Northlane into an experimental juggernaut.

They're pushing their own musical boundaries with a stark approach to melodic experimentation with waves of prog-metal, post-hardcore and touches of djent shifting the focus from their straight metalcore roots. The addition of Bridge results in a stronger clean vocal that flips perfectly to spine-chilling screams; while he may be unable to reach the bellowing growls of founding vocalist Adrian Fitipaldes, he adds even more to the powerful breakdowns that explode in every track. Each track progression is a violent assault of instrumentation that is tempered with just enough moments to prepare yourself for the next crushing blow.

While the band's development in songwriting maturity is exemplified in the uplifting and melodic choruses of Obelisk and Impulse, it is moments like the sledgehammering chugs of Ra dropped over an intensely demented drum pattern and static loops that proves this record's worth. Northlane have managed to weave together myriad musical elements through an intensely heavy delivery, placing Node high on the list of musical highlights of 2015.