Australian heavy rockers Northlane have released their hugely anticipated EP, Mirrors Edge, bringing on board friends from all areas of rock and heavy metal to help them deliver this soul-crushingly great set of songs. The six track EP begins with Mirrors Edge, a 44 second ghostly reel of light instruments building up towards a heavy crescendo, overlaid with powerful feminine vocals soaring straight into the second track. Track 2, Afterimage, is a heavier, grittier continuation from Mirrors Edge, and a nod to prior stringencies within the band. It uses imagery of two separate beings, apart and as polar opposites, marred by grief bringing them both back together. A riff-heavy mix of guitars, the beautiful haunting feminine vocals carrying over from Mirrors Edge, and featuring the warm vocals of Ian Kenny of Karnivool and Birds of Tokyo, Afterimage is the perfect introduction setting the pace and tone for the rest of the EP.
Miasma, features the gravelly voice of Parkway Drive’s Winston McCall, bringing his screams to set fire to our eardrums for the third track of the EP. It is clear to see how Parkway Drive have influenced Northlane over the course of their musical career. Miasma also brings in imagery of grief, dread and anger, of someone being changed beyond their control but ultimately choosing their own path. A heavy hard-hitting track to turn up as loud as you can in the car on your drive home! The fourth track of the EP is Let Me Disappear, and it carries similar veins as Miasma. The EPs tracks have a fantastic flowing continuation from one track into the next, bringing you the evolution of Northlane’s sound over the years, into one cumulative dynamic powerful hard-hitting mix.
Kraft is track 5 of the EP and this time its Brendan Padjasek, ex-bass guitar slinger, now of Structures, who is up to lend his skills to scream for Northlane. This track features synthey-keys and drum machines, distorted guitars and vocals that spit more fire than a desert full of rattle snakes! The imagery that has been throughout the EP continues through Kraft, of anger, grief and transient cross-wires. A powerful hard hitter full of grunge heavy metal guitar riffs carrying the screams and vocals straight into your brain before lifting you back up and continuing the journey into track 6, Dante. This is an industrial heavy metal track with gliding vocals to deliver a powerful finish to the EP. Northlane do so much right, and taking their fans on a journey through their music is absolutely one of them. Dante is a finale full of heart ache, hurt and decisions down the path.
Anyone choosing to listen to Northlane’s EP, Mirror’s Edge will find a reflection of the band’s difficulties triumphant journey to overcome each in this set of tracks. If you like In Hearts Wake, Polaris or Make Them Suffer, you will be on fire after listening to Northlane. Mirror’s Edge by Northlane is 5 out of 5 kick ass stars so do yourself a favour and wrap your ears around it!
Head here to get your copy of the album
Thanks To Amy at Deathproof
