Alienist – Love/Hate (EP Review)

Posted on February 29, 2024 by walladmin

Alienist – Love/Hate
Released: March 1st, 2024

Line Up

Lachlan Forsberg // Vocals
Damon Renes // Vocals + Guitar
Anthony Vella // Guitar
Chris Olliffe // Bass
Jake Ceely // Drums

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It might be over in less than 20 minutes, but Wollongong (AKA the land of magical musical creations) metalcore five-piece Alienist sure squeeze a massive punch into their debut EP Love/Hate.

Growth might be a cliched opening talking point for a record review, but take a quick spin through Alienist’s catalogue – all the way back to 2019’s debut ‘Social Faker’ (if you have the time to dig it up) – and even with only a handful of singles between these two chapters of the band, it is clear that the group we are meeting on Love/Hate is ready for the mantle they seem destined to hold.

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Sure, exploring the dichotomy between love and hate sounds like pretty simple, and somewhat common ground to cover, but Alienist take that battle and mould it around themes of religion, self-doubt, mental health and relationship struggles, from toxic partnerships to the ending of pairings that felt like forever. But it’s not so much what they are saying – and we promise, the lyrics are as searing as they are gut-wrenchingly vulnerable – as how they are saying it.

Opener ‘Godless’ immediately sets the tone for the EP. Its introductory moments might be understated, but once it kicks into gear, Alienist aren’t holding back. Balancing both the melodic groove of their sound with a ferocious, cutting assault – the EP’s title promised duality, and that’s exactly what you’re going to get. Recent single ‘Distorted Reflections’ takes no time hammering its point home – with its savage riffs and biting vocals blistering out of the gate. The duality this time sits between the track’s rage and catharsis, as you battle through darkness when all hope seems lost – “Down, in the depths again, close my eyes instead, disappearing dread”.

If you need a quick snapshot of what you can expect from Alienist, then ‘Absent’ might be your starting point. Highlighting the power of both vocalists, the band’s knack for lyrical storytelling, and their balance between melody and fury, and of restraint and aggression, right before ‘Hypnotise’ cements itself as a clear EP highlight. You’ll find yourself hard-pressed to stop yourself from head-banging and singing along as soon as it kicks in.

And finally, our journey comes to an end with the EP’s hardest-biting moment – ‘Prisoner Of You’, because how else could this record possibly end than with one final surge?

Sure, they might wear their influences boldly on their sleeves (so fans of acts like I Prevail, Polaris, and Northlane will definitely find something to connect with here) but Love/Hate showcases enough flare to make it clear that Alienist are on the brink of carving out their own path, and they have everything they need to do it.

An intensity and ferocity that is hard to turn away from, the ability to shape vulnerability and reflection with a cutting edge, a fine balance between stirring melodies and mosh-stirring aggression, and five members who all leave their own individual mark but when they lock in together, can create a record that showcases exactly why Alienist deserve the attention they’ve been getting.

Love/Hate delivers everything you hope from a debut release – it quickly draws you in, packaging up the band’s sound and unveiling their strengths without wasting a single second – and the best part is it leaves you wanting more. On their debut record, Alienist have proved that they are a band worth seeking out – and the next generation of Australian metalcore has been waiting for them.