“Many of the recent Australian metalcore releases sound very similar, but this band has forged their way on their own path” — Metal-Roos
“There’s a high level of composition there, and it’s all in the little nuanced details…this is a win for me” — Prymalchaos
Love and hate; a dichotomy as old as time, and it’s this agitated balance of two cohesive yet opposing forces that ultimately strikes at the sharpened core of the debut EP Love/Hate from Alienist, out now via UNFD.
Thematically traversing themes of religion, self doubt, relationship struggles, and mental health, Love/Hate balances its searing instrumentals and dexterous layers alongside arresting and immense emotive content; a fact seen not just in the broader EP itself, but in the brand new single and video “Hypnotise” also out today.
Parting the curtain behind “Hypnotise,” the band shares, “A reflection of how we, as a band, have struggled internally with mental health issues and the existence of the band and our audience has allowed us to fight through those struggles and provide us with a sense of purpose. The name ‘hypnotise’ explores how although an audience may feel hypnotised by us, being on the stage and performing our art, that we are truly the ones that are hypnotised by the audience that supports us.”
An explosive amalgamation of rage and serenity, Love/Hate is an exciting debut collection of songs from the Wollongong five-piece. Whether battling with religious ideals alongside commanding execution (Godless), facing the crumbling world around with a flurry of distortion (Distorted Reflections), detailing a breakdown of love set to turgid guitars and torrential beats (Absent), seeking hope and purpose in creativity (Hypnotise), or serving up a biting commentary on a toxic relationship (Prisoner Of You), Love/Hate is simultaneously confronting and cathartic, with Alienist firmly at the helm of a journey that feels instantly personal yet universal.
“We explore a lot of different themes on this EP,”reveals guitarist, clean vocalist and lead songwriter Damon Renes, “but obviously the entire overall theme is love/hate and the fact that there’s such a big dichotomy between the two words at the same time.”
“People do a lot of things that are hateful, and yet use the word that they’re doing it for as ‘love’ and vice versa,” Renes adds. “Love can make you do a lot of hateful things as well. The EP explores relationships with religion, but it also explores toxic relationships and abusive relationships and the falling apart of relationships that you think were going to be your ‘forever,’ and what it feels like when you realise that that’s not going to be the case.”
Named for an anachronistic term for psychiatry, Alienist forged from the remnants of a former covers band, with the current lineup consisting of Lachlan Forsberg (vocals), Damon Renes (guitar), Anthony Vella (guitar), Chris Olliffe (bass), and Jake Ceely (drums), convening over a shared passion for crafting meaningful and memorable music alongside influences ranging from I Prevail and Wage War, to Bring Me The Horizon, Architects, Polaris, and Northlane.
From their debut single, 2019’s “Social Faker,” through to their most recent track prior to today, 2022’s “Exile,” Alienist relentlessly enamor with their modern flair and infectious design. And it’s this heavy yet nuanced nature of glistening light and menacing shade that has seen the Wollongong five-piece previously secure airplay on triple j, perform alongside the likes of Thy Art Is Murder, Make Them Suffer, Ocean Grove, Yours Truly, and Fit For An Autopsy at UNIFY Off The Record in 2023, open for juggernauts Northlane and Gravemind, and tick off an almost sold out national headline tour — and all without breaking a sweat in an exceedingly short space of time.
ABOUT ALIENIST:
Hailing from Wollongong, Australia, metalcore five-piece Alienist relentlessly enamor with modern flair and infectious design, wielding elasticated riffs, soaring melodics, and ambient gloss offset against beast-mode breakdowns, caustic grooves, and fiery sonic chasms.
With influences spanning the likes of Wage War, I Prevail, Bring Me The Horizon, and Polaris fused with their burgeoning trademark sound, Alienist have swiftly stormed the heavy scene in a remarkably short space of time, chalking up triple j airplay, supports alongside Northlane and Gravemind, an appearance at UNIFY Off The Record and an almost sold out national headline tour in a mere two years outside of the pandemic pause.
Now with their gazes firmly fixed on 2024, prepare to witness Alienist in a whole new light. Wollongong’s best-kept secret is out and ready to take on the world.
