Sydney metallers, Northlane, will release of their fifth studio album, Alien, on August 2 via UNFD. Pre-order the album here, and listen to the song "Talking Heads" below.

For a band that has traditionally focused on wider issues in the outside world, Alien is easily the most personal statement of their career. "I was raised in hell but I made it out," says Northlane vocalist Marcus Bridge. "Raised in a place I shouldn't have been, and no child should have been. But I've been able to break free."

While some long-time listeners might assume that the title Alien is a continuation of the space and futuristic themes that have characterized previous Northlane albums, it's instead a reflection of the alienation Bridge felt as a child "who grew up in a weird, unusual household and who was bullied at school because of it."

Produced by the band itself, the album was recorded at Chris Blancato's studio in Sydney, where Northlane recorded their first EP, 2010's Hollow Existence. Bridge did vocals at Sydney's Electric Sun Studios, where the quintet made their 2011 debut album, Discoveries.

For a band marking their tenth anniversary in 2019, Alien is a bold leap forward; the work of a group fighting their way out of their corner by moving forward rather than looking back. Their previous three albums may have debuted in the Top 5 in Australia – with Node landing at Number One before going on to win an ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album, an accolade also awarded to Mesmer – but Northlane are in no mood to play it safe.

Tracklisting:

"Details Matter"
"Bloodline"
"4D"
"Talking Heads"
"Freefall"
"Jinn"
"Eclipse"
"Rift"
"Paradigm"
"Vultures"
"Sleepless"

"Talking Heads":

"Bloodline" video:

Northlane will be heading to North America for a headline throughout August and September with Erra, Currents, and Crystal Lake. October will see them tour New Zealand before returning to Australian home soil for their national headline tour supported by Counterparts, Silent Planet and Void of Vision. Northlanes European Headline tour in November and December is supported by Silent Planet and Void of Vision.

US tour dates:

August
14 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
16 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
17 - Vancouver, BC - Bitmore Cabaret
18 - Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom
20 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
21 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater
23 - Minneapolis, MN - Amsterdam
24 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
25 - Detroit, MI - The Shelter
27 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
28 - Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater
29 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club
30 - Montreal, QC - Fairmount
31 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall

September
1 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theater
3 - Philadelphia, PA - The Foundry
4 - Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
5 - Greensboro, NC - Blind Tiger
6 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
7 - Tampa, FL - Orpheum
9 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
10 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey
11 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger
13 - Mesa, AZ - Nile Theater
14 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction
15 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom