Sylosis: Breaking The Cycle
In 2016 the heart breaking news of ARCHITECTS founding member Tom Searle‘s passing sent a searing pain throughout the metal community. There was only ever one man capable of filling this gaping void at the core of one of the UK’s most cherished bands and that was the incomparable talents of SYLOSIS frontman Josh Middleton. His existing relationship and deep rooted friendship with the Brighton outfit made this decision a no brainer but this was a decision which Josh didn’t take lightly. It also turned out to be a key component that ensured the survival of SYLOSIS going forward.
“I felt I had boxed myself in musically and had a period where I was really unhappy,” admits Josh. “It was really important for me to have the time away from SYLOSIS to reassess where the band should be heading and for me to grow and develop as a person. I was literally making things harder and harder for the band with trying to just go against the grain with everything we did. In some ways that’s what made us stand out but I think as years went on, that attitude (and I’m not just talking musically) was detrimental so now I’m able to pick the band up and put it back on the right track.”
The announcement that SYLOSIS were going on indefinite hiatus at the back end of 2016 sent shockwaves through their adoring fan base, especially when they were arguably at the peak of their career. The announcement which also followed further down the line regarding Josh‘s extended commitment to the future of ARCHITECTS began to raise added concerns as to whether this spelled the demise of ‘The Shredding From Reading’. However, good things come to those who wait. As 2019 was coming to a close some eagle-eyed fans spotted the pre-order option on the website of Nuclear Blast Records (the long term residence of SYLOSIS since their Conclusion Of An Age release back in 2008) for an impending release entitled Cycle Of Suffering. The hiatus had allowed Josh to free himself from the shackles and expectations of what SYLOSIS should be and has offered him the opportunity to refocus his energy into writing one of the most intense offerings in his career.
“I had been pushing the band in this direction that just wasn’t right. I think I had fooled myself in many ways. I was also stubborn or too scared to do anything as simple as changing guitar tuning back then,” explains Josh. “Even a simple switch like that was revitalising for me. I remember when I had this sort of crashing realisation one night before our London headline show on that tour in March 2016. I felt like I had wasted so much of my time and creating music I wasn’t sure if I was happy with and not enjoying elements of our live show. It was just frustration and it was really healthy for me to have that time away from the band to be able to form a new relationship towards creating SYLOSIS music going forwards.”
One of the biggest surprises about Cycle Of Suffering is that the majority of the material was written back in 2016. At this stage Josh was contemplating closing the book on SYLOSIS and attempting a fresh start. “I initially started writing music for what would be a new band all together. When I showed it to my manager and label they were like ‘why are you doing a new band that sounds like SYLOSIS?’ I realised that I just needed a fresh approach to writing and a new mindset and not get too holed up in what SYLOSIS ‘should’ sound like. So I changed our tuning slightly and just had this fresh perspective in moving forward and just wrote what I wanted to play. I definitely tried to trim the fat as much as possible and make sure the songs weren’t too long. I wanted the music to feel more urgent and more immediate. I also only really tend to write lyrics if I’m really feeling depressed or angry and these periods in life come and go, as I’m sure it is with most people. That sort of ties into the album title. Suffering is inevitable but not always permanent. I worked harder than ever before but with a more relaxed attitude in some ways. I didn’t overthink things as much which has greatly benefited the album. It was a very organic and natural creative process. There’s something more tangible for people to latch onto in our music. The elements of our sound that made our fans like us are still there but it just feels more fresh and exciting than ever before.”
The opportunity to hit the road with ARCHITECTS and allow this to be his main focus throughout this period of uncertainty has evidently paid dividends, offering Josh the chance to refresh his perspective and rekindle his love for the band he has poured his heart and soul into for the best part of two decades. “You realise what you missed and what didn’t work and you don’t like and learn how to ultimately make the band better than ever before. I have so much inspiration right now to be creating new music for the band.”
Cycle Of Suffering encapsulates all the elements which we have come to know and appreciate from SYLOSIS, from the blistering tempo to the eye watering instrumental proficiency but it feels more refined and intense than ever before. Every song has it’s own unique identity but seamlessly slots together as part of the bigger picture to form a flawless release which stands tall against its predecessors. Whilst the apprehension grew during their hiatus as to whether there would infact be another instalment of the SYLOSIS catalogue, it was certainly worth the wait and has opened the door for an exciting new chapter of the band where the newfound limitless freedom can take them to even more impressive heights.
SYLOSIS are a highly respected band within the heavy metal world and it’s not just us that thinks that! A number of notable musicians in our world have given high praise to the British shredders!
“SYLOSIS are without a doubt leading the charge for UK metal. Their precision, skill and ferociousness are unparalleled by most, and they are true masters of the riff. Josh‘s phenomenal lead work oozes sophistication – silky sweeps and a strong melodic sensibility that is unique to him, he is without a doubt one of the top players in the game.” – James Monteith | TESSERACT
“SYLOSIS are breathing fresh air into thrash metal. They’re doing new, original things with an old-school passion and work ethic. It doesn’t hurt that they’re stupidly tight live.” – Mark Holcomb | PERIPHERY
“What is great about SYLOSIS is that they just sound very authentic and original. Also, that music is modern and fresh even you can hear a lot of good old school inspirations. The best parts of SYLOSIS‘ music for me are the melodies. This band is epic and have great future.” – Waclaw ‘Vogg’ Kieltyka | DECAPITATED
“When I first heard SYLOSIS they were another band on a list of bands that submitted to be support for KILLSWITCH on a tour. I make it a point to research any band I am unfamiliar with so naturally I looked them up. The album Monolith had just dropped and good Lord was I surprised when I heard it! This band is everything I love about good metal, killer riffs, solid guttural screams and a fast pace. All killer no nonsense metal! I was blown away, I had no idea a band like this existed in the UK and they got the vote to support us. I ended up becoming a fan that day, but after meeting them and watching them live it sealed the deal. They are one of the few bands I actually listen to on a regular basis (especially when cycling out in the Hudson Valley here in NY) and they are such a down to earth salt of the earth group of guys. SYLOSIS are a top notch band and well deserving any and all recognition they get!”- Jesse Leach | KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
“SYLOSIS are a band that have melded the greatest aspects of modern metal’s best offerings in genre all into a sound uniquely and entirely their own. Moments of thrash, melodic death metal, death metal, and metalcore are but tools in the arsenal of SYLOSIS‘ sonic landscape, their diverse catalogue of songs show the breadth of what they are capable of. SYLOSIS are a band that shows metal is evolving in the right direction.” – Matt Heafy | TRIVIUM
Cycle Of Suffering is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.
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