Have you ever baked a cake? Consider the necessity of ingredients, ensuring that the cake looks good, works well but most importantly tastes fantastic. Josh Middleton previously the guitarist for the Reading outfit has definitely grown into his own. Taking charge Middleton assumed both lead vocals and guitar duties. Releasing two albums Edge Of The Earth and Monolith, the band were honing their sound. Although there seemed not to be much evolution between the two recent efforts, Dormant Heart see’s a drastic change in our metal chef’s overall tone.
Easily the most well rounded release Sylosis have put out. Treated to different soundscapes throughout the record, from the somber tones of second single “Leech“. From the off you can tell that Sylosis as a band have truly developed since their inception. From the teen angst sounding Conclusion Of An Age to the mature themes of Dormant Heart. With much of the lyrical content revolving around how modern society asleep while awake. Harking back to the 80’s the record wears its heart on its sleeve, with much of eighties thrash influences coming through. The band may have a ready arsenal of harmonies, however previously many of them have been dreary, throwaway lines. Instead the band have found the perfect compromise between lead worship and riffs.
Its also worth noting that the album itself is fifty nine minutes long. Not exactly Reign In Blood… Due to the diversity of the songs, the time absolutely flies by beckoning for more listens. With trademark Sylosis elements throughout, from the break neck riffing of “Mercy” and “Indoctrinated” to the monolithic half time feel the album also incorporates new found ambitions. Progressive elements are finding their way more and more into the bands catalogue it seems. Final track “Quiescent” has Middleton singing as well as a morphing acoustic riff effortlessly changing the tone of the final track.
Imperial intro “Where The Wolves Come To Die” is our entrance into the great hall, a grandiose setting of the scene for the album. Before we are treated to the thunderous cuts of title track “Dormant Heart” and groove laden “Victims And Pawns“. Containing a supremely dark over tone the album flits from fast paced riffing to the lumbering of “Servitude” seamlessly. Drummer Rob Callard may have decided to call it quits but at long last the drums are on par with the musicianship. Often having had slightly boring drum patterns Callard stepped up for his final hour.
Perfecting the formula for the foundation of a truly brilliant record, with their two previous releases being slightly undercooked or over saturated Dormant Heart see’s the band deliver the perfect gateau. Creating songs that contain the Sylosis sound, whilst also edging slowly towards the more experimental. Having now mastered their niche the band are able to do what they see fit. With this in mind Sylosis are onto a very interesting path and Dormant Heart will be their michelin star.
