Album Review: Northlane Singularity

“So you want the fucking truth?” Northlane frontman Adrian Fitipaldes questions in second track Scarab, off their sophomore release Singularity. Well the truth? The ten tracks compiled together that make up Singularity, simply put are just fucking massive.

To say they haven't broken any new ground musically would be farcical. Although the band admitted they weren't interested in changing their musical style they must be applauded for being able to create a heavier and unique sound, without straying from their roots. Enter Northlane 2.0 and all viral marketing campaigns aside, the album was worth every bit of the hype and promotion it received. Fitipaldes' vocals have grown immensely, proving he is one of the best metalcore vocalists around. His screams are absolutely barbaric at times and you can hear the passion in his every word; conversely soft and subtle at other moments. Big thrashing guitar riffs, jaw dropping breakdowns and delicate and at times ethereal melodies make this album so complete. The production values from Will Putney (Suicide Silence and Four Year Strong) are flawless, every track punching out so precisely. Every lyric penned by Fitipaldes is so honest and emotional, touching on everything, from happiness and bliss (“Can't you see the joy of life is right before your eyes?” – Quantum Flux) to complete and utter hatred of those who ever questioned the path you chose (“We are all born to be free/Fuck who you want me to be” – Aspire).

Like its predecessor in Discoveries (2011), Singularity has pushed Northlane into new ground, this time emerging as a career defining release. An early candidate for album of the year: Parkway Drive – you've got company.