Northlane have postponed their upcoming Australian and New Zealand headline tour until May 2027 as guitarist Josh Smith prepares to undergo treatment for worsening chronic health issues.
The Australian heavy music outfit have also pushed back the release of their seventh studio album, Anemoia, from October 30th to November 27th due to production delays, while releasing new single “Deathwish” ahead of schedule.
In a statement shared with fans, the band revealed that Smith has been dealing with increasingly serious health concerns over the past two years and now requires immediate medical intervention, preventing him from travelling or performing.
“With his health and rehabilitation a priority, alongside the delayed release of the record, we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our Australia and New Zealand tour to May 2027,” the band explained.
“These decisions have been incredibly tough to make. Delivering the full experience to you matters to us, and we don’t take decisions like this lightly.”
The band acknowledged the disruption to fans who had already made arrangements around the original November dates, thanking them for their patience and understanding.
All existing tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled May 2027 shows, with revised dates to be announced shortly.
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Northlane’s Melbourne album listening party has also moved to November 20th, giving attendees the opportunity to hear Anemoia in full before its official release. Existing tickets remain valid.
Despite the changes to their Australian and New Zealand schedule, the band confirmed their UK and European tour with Dayseeker later this year, along with their North American headline tour in early 2027, will proceed as planned.
As a thank you to fans for their continued support, Northlane have brought forward the release of “Deathwish”, the fourth single from Anemoia.
Following previous single “Crucified”, the track explores selfishness and the destructive consequences of unchecked self-importance, combining layered synths and soaring clean vocals with a punishing breakdown.
Vocalist Marcus Bridge explained that while “Crucified” examines the broader landscape, “Deathwish” shifts its focus to the individual.
“It’s written from the first-person perspective of someone who is entirely unwilling to listen – convinced of their own reality, blind to anyone else’s,” he said.
“The lyrics aren’t self-referential, but it communicates an understanding of the psychology well enough to inhabit it.”
Executive produced by Jordan Fish, Anemoia follows Northlane’s No. 1 2022 album Obsidian and continues the band’s exploration of electronic music within their heavy sound.
Inspired by guitarist Jon Deiley’s experience watching UK producer Evian Christ perform, the record draws on trance, drum-and-bass, jungle and pop alongside Northlane’s signature crushing riffs and breakdowns.
The album’s title refers to nostalgia for a time or place never personally experienced, a concept that informs its exploration of escapism, darkness and hope.
“There’s darkness here, but it’s not nihilism – and there’s hope, but it’s not naivety,” Bridge previously explained.
Anemoia arrives November 27th via Independent / Immortal Music Group. “Deathwish” is out now.
