Dormant Heart (10th Anniversary)

‘Dormant’ is not a word that you can associate with Reading’s metallers SYLOSIS – the band who have in the past few years alone toured with LAMB OF GOD, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, DEVIL DRIVER and TRIVIUM. As well as playing huge festivals across the globe such as Sonisphere, Wacken, Graspop and Pukkelpop.

Dormant Heart is not a peaceful album, it’s a powerful force, unleashing anger against every day injustice and a sleeping society that lets these things wash over them. Frontman Josh Middleton explains: “The title refers to people going through life on autopilot and being one of the herd. How a lot of people simply accept the way things are just because it’s ‘tradition’ as opposed to taking a good look at the world around you and thinking for yourself. Sometimes there are catalysts that happen and change our perspective or consciousness…”

Dormant Heart retains the distinctive SYLOSIS sound; a mixture of intense heavy guitar riffs, breakdowns, thudding rhythm and Middleton’s growl. It’s difficult to tie down the band into a specific type of metal genre. Stomping opener ‘Where The Wolves Come To Die’ unleashes an aggressive start whilst ‘Leech’ provides those breakdowns and epic choruses.

‘Mercy’ demonstrates the mix of galloping rhythm and melodic guitar riffs whilst Josh fiercely declares ‘there’s no redemption’. Aptly named closer track ‘Quiescent’ provides over 9 minutes of solemn prog showing a less forceful side of the band. It’s ballad-like in nature, with lyrics questioning “Maybe the flames are all they have?’ It’s softer in dynamic but the sense of impending doom remains: ‘Fail to rescue// I can see// Now the line is drawn at our feet’.