Reviews list for Northlane - Singularity (2013)

Although Discoveries is a solid start to Northlane's career, it's their second album Singularity that catapulted the band into fame. It's quite a step forward from Discoveries, with the production in Singularity being some of the best I've heard in modern metal. It's so perfectly clear! The growls and screams by Adrian Fitipaldes sound awesome as ever and stay unbreakable. Too bad this is the band's last album with him, though their next vocalist Marcus Bridge is awesome too.

It's quite easy for me to give this album a perfect 5 stars. It's a melodic progressive blend of beauty and heaviness. The breakdowns hit hard! The poetic lyrics fit well for this modern-age society and give listeners positive encouragement.

The ambient intro "Genesis" starts with haunting strings, followed by rising percussion, dissonant rhythm, and emotional vocals to start things on a powerful note. Keeping it up straight on is "Scarab". With its technical structure, you'll be able to stick around in attention as the band members unleash all their talent. "Windbreaker" shows the earlier heaviness still being around as the melody increases. The most brutal growls and breakdowns can found there. It's almost as if they initially wrote that song for Discoveries.

A bit of Dark Tranquillity-like melody can be heard in "Worldeater", which is one of a few singles from the album. Another single "Quantum Flux" shows the band taking on a calmer direction, while keeping the usual heaviness. The breakdown fury is in perfect place, and they're never overdone, proving how well Northlane are at the genre. "Dream Awake" is more energetic with a rapid pace, in solid delivery and balance with the ethereal atmosphere. "The Calling" reminds me of a similarly titled track by Saturnus, though instead of gothic death-doom, we have a foreshadowing of the band's later alt-metalcore, like a more progressive and djenty blend of All That Remains and Coldrain.

The aggression really levels up in "Masquerade", perhaps the strongest track with something special, guest vocals by Drew York of Stray from the Path. The catchy chorus is what makes this song a total highlight, along with lyrical fire and breakdown brutality. The slow ambient title interlude has given me a good lesson; If I worry too much about famous people like Michael Jackson, I would become disempowered by media icons. Terrence McKenna gave those who have listened to this album up to this track this advice, and it's amazing advice to follow. The instrumental itself gives me warm chills ("warm chills", sounds oxymoronic), it's so beautiful! The message is now more unbelievably relevant than ever. The final track "Aspire" unleashes the last of Adrian's vocals. Chaotic yet pretty!

I can never put down such a perfect masterpiece that is Singularity. This is a true example of ambient progressive djenty metalcore, and a must-have for modern metalheads. You won't regret this incredible journey!

Favorites: "Scarab", "Windbreaker", "Quantum Flux", "Masquerade", "Singularity"