Sylosis’ details ‘Dormant Heart’ album and single

British modern progressive melodic death trashing metallers Sylosis will be releasing their much anticipated fourth studio record, ‘Dormant Heart’ at the beginning of next year, on January 12th in the United Kingdom, January 13th in North America and January 16th, 2015 at a worldwide scale via Nuclear Blast Records, the record company to which they signed in 2007.

[blockquote cite=”Josh Middleton”]It’s the most pissed-off, aggressive and intense album we’ve done, yet it still retains the epic, progressive and melodic side we’re also known for. It’s a very gloomy and atmospheric album. We’ve been through a lot as a band and individuals and we’ve made our darkest album to date.[/blockquote]

Sylosis began tracking the new material back in March 2014 while working secretly during their touring commitments. Josh Middleton took into his responsibility the production of this record, setting him aside from the regular duties undertaken as Sylosis leader, besides positioning him at a upper level in the band while counting with the experienced assistance and guidance of Scott Atkins. ‘Dormant Heart’ however, has been mastered by Tesseract guitar player Acle Kahney.

[blockquote cite=”Josh Middleton”]It was great doing some of the recording with Scott again. We’ve got a good working relationship and he’s really dedicated to what he does. We like to strive for a very earthy and organic sound. It adds to the human element and brings out the intensity and vibe in the music.[/blockquote]

Both vocals and guitars were recorded at Wizard Sound Studios, which is located at the band’s hometown, in Reading. Drums were recorded during May at Monkey Puzzle Studios by original drummer Rob Callard who parted ways with Sylosis in September 2014 due to time restraints. Bleed From Within’s Ali Richardson is now drumming for the band permanently after replacing Rob Callard during a couple of live performances on the band’s Spring Equinox 2014 tour.

You may wrongly assume that ‘Dormant Heart’ has been composed to be a mid-paced, downhearted and pacifist studio record seeking refuge in trenches instead of fighting, a call to lay their weapons down and raise the white flag. It could not be far from the truth, as Sylosis are not willingly prepared to surrender but instead, unchain their insanely rhythmical chaotic wrath against everyday injustice.

Reading’s Sylosis have no such thoughts of making their sound more accessible reverting in dwindling record sales; in fact their upcoming new studio record ‘Dormant Heart’, promises to be even heavier than its predecessor.

[blockquote cite=”Josh Middleton”]We get lumped in with bands that we don’t feel much of a kinship with. We’re getting a bit older and more jaded. We all gravitate to darker music. I remember the best thing in the world being when a new Pantera album came out, because they kept getting heavier. A lot of bands go the other way and go more melodic. We’ve always been a melodic band, but we haven’t tried to write singles – this album is a darker and heavier vibe.

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…[/blockquote]

‘Where The Wolves Come To Die’
‘Victims And Pawns’
‘Dormant Heart’
‘To Build A Tomb’
‘Overthrown’
‘Leech’
‘Servitude’
‘Indoctrinated’
‘Harm’
‘Mercy’
‘Callous Souls’
‘Quiescent’
‘Pillars Erode’ [Bonus track]
‘Zero’ [Bonus Smashing Pumpkins cover version]

Special edition of ‘Dormant Heart’ includes a DVD entitled ‘The Dormant Heart Sessions – Live in the studio’. ‘Dormant Heart’ is already available for pre-order in a variety of formats through German titans Nuclear Blast Records at their especial landing page.

The ‘Dormant Heart’ artwork was crafted by Bristol-based artist Bonfire (known for previous contributions to Swedish sorrowful acts Opeth and Katatonia, and lately Norwegian black duo Satyricon). The artwork is themed around sacrificial ritualism, somehow reminiscent of Pagan rites I dare say that the art resembles Celtic, epic adorned illustrations.

[blockquote cite=”Josh Middleton”]The cover relates to sacrifice (the sacrificial lamb is more of a symbol than something to be taken literally) but also the looming, oppressing figure in the background represents corruption and being forced into something against your will.[/blockquote]

Sylosis have also announced a one-off intimate release live performance on January 12th, 2015, to take place at London, Camden’s The Black Heart where they will officially unleash their forthcoming album, ‘Dormant Heart’, an event that promises to be a rare opportunity to see Sylosis performing in a smaller venue, yet also the first chance for fans to listen to the new material from their highly anticipated fourth studio record. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Friday, November 28th, priced $ 16.00 (roughly $ 20.00 US Dollar or $ 44.000 COP).

[blockquote cite=”Sylosis”]London! We are playing a very intimate show at the Black Heart in Camden on the 12th January to celebrate the release of ‘Dormant Heart’! Tickets go on sale this Friday![/blockquote]

Sylosis’ new video ‘Leech’ resembles a frontispiece genuinely crafted by Oliver Jones of Better Feeling Films in the United Kingdom. The production of the footage took the band five hours to film the entire storyline, and roughly sixty days to complete the animation process. Oliver Jones was the sole artist working on this ambitious project, from shooting the live action footage to animating the entire conceptual guideline behind ‘Leech’. He used a process called ‘rotoscoping’, which involves tracing over the original footage, frame by frame.

[blockquote cite=”Josh Middleton”]‘Leech’ is the second single off the new album. I would say the album is probably our heaviest to date but this song showcases a more melodic and stripped back side to what we do. It’s a really dark, sinister doomy sounding song and we thought it would be cool to try something a bit different for the video and have it reflect the vibe of the music. We’ve always wanted to have an animated music video and it allows for a bit more creativity and makes it stand out.[/blockquote]

Below is the Sylosis graphic new video for ‘Leech’. Although the video is animated, the content is not for the faint hearted.