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So far this year Australia has reclaimed her place at the forefront of the modern metal scene in style. Prior to the somewhat quiet 2023, the Down Under gave us a killer '22 with almost all of its brightest stars dropping outstanding records, and two years later, like clockwork, they all assemble in a coordinated and thunderous assault. There has been a continuous streak of fantastic music releases from the likes of Alpha Wolf, Thornhill, Banks Arcade, Windwaker, In Hearts Wake, Make Them Suffer and Alienist, and naturally Northlane joined to leave their mark as well with their brand new EP Mirror's Edge, once again cementing their place as one of Australia's most prolific modern metal juggernauts.
Two years ago, Northlane released their most ambitious and divise album Obsidian, for some an unforgivable deviation from their heavy roots, for others (like me) a welcome expansion of their horizons. Naturally, fans of Northlane at both sides of the argument held their breath in anticipation of the band's crucial next move, and somehow it appeared their new singles managed to please all, a near-impossible feat nowadays. Embracing both the raw energy of their early albums, and the alternative vision of their more recent output, their latest Mirror's Edge EP can now be seen as the bridge between the past and present of the band, so they can successfully carry on towards the uncertain future.
Perfectly adequate for its title, concept and futuristic artwork, Mirror's Edge acts as a compact yet comprehensive reflection of Northlane's diverse career, a retrospective journey through the endless twists and turns of the band's mutlifaceted prism, as frantic and chaotic as melodic and harmonious. At times, the EP leans towards those introductory fan favourite albums that played such key role into shaping and promoting the proggy metalcore sound in Australia, as well as establishing Northlane as a global powerhouse. At others, it flirts with the band's innate affinity to alternative, industrial and electronic traditions, all delicately intertwined over thе solid trademark djenty foundation.
With six full-lenght albums behind their backs, it is only fitting that Mirror's Edge spans over six songs, albeit the opening title track serves as an instrumental intro. At first sight, it would appear Mirror's Edge appeals to both the "I miss old Northlane" pigeons, and their more relaxed and unpretentious "new" audiences. Each of the singles focuses on separate dominant moods and stylistic direction; all separate fractions of the true essence of this contemporary version of Northlane, and muddled reflections of the band's distant and recent past, recruiting key people that also played a role in shaping who they are today.
The EP starts with the more progressive, flexible and unpredictable 'Afterimage' featuring Ian Kenny from Aussie prog icons Karnivool, switching onto the significantly more direct and fierce 'Miasma' unleashing Winston McCall's signature primal fury onto the world. Next in, the groovy and bouncy 'Let Me Disappear' shifts towards Northlane's energetic radio-friendly side before 'Kraft' turns right back into the industrialised and syncopated chaos with the help of ex-member and current Structures' mastermind Brandon Padjasek. And then it all ends with a blast with the leading single 'Dante', a stellar individual effort that sums up where the quartet stands in 2024 on both personal and collective level.
It could be the EP's shorter and more concise form, but Northlane have hit the spot in a manner that wasn't quite there on Obsidian or Alien for all their creativity and many positives. Pleasing everyone is impossible and should never be a band's main goal, but finding the right balance can be the difference between remaining relevant or falling into oblivion. This new and improved yet old and nostalgic Northlane acts as a well-oiled, seasoned machine, shaping their present and playing by their own rules, while respecting their legacy and looking at their future which appears brighter than ever before.
Northlane - 'Mirror's Edge' EP
Country: Australia
Released: 12 April 2024
Label: Self / Believe
Tracklisting:
1. 'Mirror's Edge'
2. 'Afterimage' (ft. Ian Kenny)
3. 'Miasma' (ft. Winston McCall)
4. 'Let me Disappear'
5. 'Kraft' (ft. Brendon Padjasek)
6. 'Dante'
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