Sydney metalcore heavyweights Northlane have announced that co-founder and vocalist Adrian Fitipaldes has decided to quit the band.
Northlane have achieved widespread acclaim in a relatively short timeframe. Originating in Western Sydney in 2009, their EP Hollow Existence was an understated preface to their first full-length album, Discoveries (2011). Opening track ‘Dispossession’ achieved an eloquent fusion of melodic and brutal fare, setting the tone for a dynamic album.
When their sophomore release Singularity was unleashed in 2013 after a clever marketing campaign, the release hit number one on the Australian iTunes chart and debuted at number three on the ARIA albums chart; a feat almost unheard of for heavy acts.
After performing at Soundwave as one of only a handful Australian bands, and being one of the only heavy acts to play at Big Day Out in 2014, the band were also awarded $19,560 towards their Never Say Die Tour through Europe and the UK.
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But as the opportunities have continued to present themselves, the demands on its members have only gotten greater. It’s those demands that ultimately proved too costly to Fitipaldes. According to a statement made by the band, Fitipaldes had found the wear and tear of Northlane and their touring schedule to be “too stressful towards his health, both physically and mentally.”
“The four remaining members of Northlane will continue to move forward, and we are looking for a new vocalist. All of our booked dates will happen as planned (either with a fill-in vocalist, or someone new), and we are still working on a new album to be released next year. Additionally we are planning to release new music by the end of the year in the form of a single.”
“As for Adrian, we also wish him the best in everything he has planned. He has been an important part of our journey, and we wouldn’t be here without him. We are extremely proud of the music we created with him, and that music will always be a part of us.”
“What we do is not easy, it takes huge amounts of hard work and dedication, and we respect Adrian for doing what was right for him personally.”“Northlane is our passion and something we put every part of ourselves into. We love our fans, our music and our art more than anything, and we live for performing live and making music,” said the remaining members of the band. “What we do is not easy, it takes huge amounts of hard work and dedication, and we respect Adrian for doing what was right for him personally.”
“However, for the rest of us, this is our lives, and our dream. We’ve achieved way too much so far to ever consider stopping now. As such, we will continue on with the same passion and dedication that we have put into our band since its inception.”
The band have taken to social media in their search for a new vocalist, inviting fellow musicians and fans alike to submit demo tapes for their chance to the be the new frontman.
There’s a few condition however. You need to be willing to dedicate yourself to the band, have a unique range in your voice that can handle both the band’s back catalogue and their plans for the future; which according to the band may push your voice “beyond what has been done within our band before”.
In addition, everyone in Northlane is under 25 so they’re looking for someone within the same age group to match their “energy and youthful enthusiasm”. “Being in Northlane is an incredible journey – we travel the world playing shows to thousands of incredible fans each night – and we want someone who understands and appreciates the opportunities being in this band presents.”
If you think this sounds like you, then to apply you’ll need to submit for the audition process by laying down vocals over Northlane’s tracks “Quantum Flux” or “Dream Awake” taken from the instrumental deluxe edition of their last record “Singularity”.
“We would like if you included a video of yourself performing your vocals as well, just so we can reference you doing it. Please note that we aren’t looking for a carbon copy of what we have already done, we are looking for someone to show their creativity within the songs, so do what shows your voice off as best as possible.”
With the above included please email [email protected] and remember to include your name, age and location as well as links to any other previous works that you’d like to show the band.
