On Northlane's Facebook page, a post revealed, "People are already lining up for the show tonight!" at 10.56am. Around 6pm a queue snakes along Smith Street and around the corner into Gertrude Street and we wonder how many fans will miss out on entry into this free, Alien album release show given that the bandroom capacity at Yah Yah's is just 250 people. Once inside, we notice the pop-up merch store is doing a roaring trade with the limited-edition release day vinyl a popular souvenir choice. 

As fans pile into the bandroom, the atmosphere crackles with excitement as we anticipate hearing songs from Northlane's harrowing fifth record live for the very first time. Given the intensely personal nature of the album's subject matter - which sees lead singer Marcus Bridge opening up about his traumatic, violent upbringing at the mercy of drug-addicted parents - we can't help but wonder what kind of toll revisiting his past through performing these songs live will have on the singer. 

Northlane pound straight into their set with the beautifully brutal Talking Heads, Bridge repeatedly bellowing, "The voices in my head!” This song perfectly showcases Bridge's vocal prowess; whether singing melodically or screaming maniacally, his interpretive power penetrates the crowd. Seeing all five band members crammed onto this venue's tiny, corner stage is a constant reminder that experiencing Northlane in this intimate setting is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the band is certainly in mighty form. "You can’t make me DIS-A-PPEAR!/You tried to break me, but I'M STILL HEEEEERE!" With Bridge's backstory out in the open, Details Matter's chorus truly devastates. But seeing him up there, rising above his shitty start in life, reaching his full potential and performing in a band that continues to kick goals internationally is uplifting. Disorienting riffs rile up the heaving mosh and Bridge's closing, sustained yowl is agonising. "Bad blood runs wild and free" - Bloodline bucks and leers, guiding our thoughts through the unimaginable terror Bridge must feel regarding his genetic predisposition.

4D's rapidfire drumming and menacing intro evokes The Prodigy and then synth chords temporarily call to mind Van Halen. “It means a lot that you’re already singing along to the new songs,” Bridge acknowledges. But Northlane also mix in some old faves this evening such as Rot and main-set closer Citizen. The way Northlane incorporate electronic elements into their sound affords them limitless creative potential and also adds texture to the dense sonic sludge they deal in a live setting. Eclipse sounds like pure evil and is truly astonishing to experience, relentless build-ups and pare-backs before the final blow is dealt: "I will never let myself be like you!" 

Leading into their encore, Bridge shares, "This has been an incredible show for us" - the feeling is mutual, mate. The curly riff of Dispossession takes hold and punters collectively lose their shit. A couple of fans in the mosh punch the air with their limited edition release day vinyl. Northlane then close with a pre-Bridge song, Quantum Flux (the band's original vocalist Adrian Fitipaldes left the band in 2014) and many in the house holler along with every lyric to demonstrate their level of super fandom, pointing fingers skyward to punctuate the beat.  

During recent interviews, Bridge has expressed hope that sharing his experiences will help him close that dark chapter of his life while also proving to others who are living with the reality of domestic abuse that there is a way out. Bridge shows immense courage in laying himself bare on Alien and we certainly hope that performing this material frees him from the shackles of his past.