Album review: Sylosis – A Sign Of Things To Come

Sylosis are fucking brilliant. It’s a truth that UK metalheads with at least one foot in the underground have known for over 15 years now. But when mainman Josh Middleton announced that he’d be joining Architects in late 2016, many justifiably wondered whether they’d reached the end of the road. Quite the opposite, as it turns out.

Not just more renowned from his time filling in on guitar for late, great friend Tom Searle, Josh seems thoroughly emboldened by that taste of mainstream-cracking success. And, four months since he amicably parted ways with the Brighton heavyweights, Sylosis return, supercharged on tellingly-titled sixth LP A Sign Of Things To Come.

The forecast? Uncompromising, anthemic heaviosity. From the skeletal Ouroboros on its badass artwork to each of the 10 tracks contained within, more than anything, ASOTTC feels like a promise that the Reading lads are ready to blast their way to success. Where Architects are taking a less intense tack, songs like Pariahs, Eye For An Eye and Descent here proudly prefer to follow in the footsteps of mosh masters Lamb Of God, Machine Head and Killswitch Engage. Clearly, their old bloodlust is still unsatisfied.

Crucially, it’s executed with greater songwriting and more polish than ever before. Opener Deadwood’s jackhammer bludgeon, showy six-strings and gleefully ripe lyricism - ‘Burn it down! / Raze it all to the ground!’ – are a perfect call to arms. But then the title-track opens things out with some memorably massive mid-paced riffage and ominous atmospherics. Poison For The Lost is proof that they can still go at 100mph for four minutes. The chest-beating chorus of Thorns promises to soon have massive rooms singing along. And epic closer A Godless Throne showcases the full, brilliantly expanded range, from chainsaw savagery to glassy fragility.

It’s a phenomenally satisfying return in its own right. More than that, though, ASOTTC feels like proof that, come whatever may, Sylosis are here to stay.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Machine Head, Lamb Of God, Architects

A Sign Of Things To Come is out now via Nuclear Blast