Review SYLOSIS “The New Flesh”

Sylosis recently played a show at Gruenspan in Hamburg. The concert took place on January 17, when the band delivered a powerful set that already included songs from their upcoming album “The New Flesh”. Although the album’s official release was still four weeks away, Sylosis used the opportunity to build anticipation by performing three singles that had already been released ahead of time.

Formed in 2000, Sylosis are very much a band of the new millennium. However, it took some time before the group from Reading released their first full-length album. After several successful EPs, their debut record “Conclusion of an Age” arrived in 2008.

With “The New Flesh”, Sylosis present their seventh studio album, and it is noticeably heavier than its predecessor. One track that perfectly represents the sound of the new record is “Adorn My Throne”. The song is a towering highlight that blends melodic death metal with touches of metalcore, resulting in a brutally intense composition. At the same time, the band never shies away from melody. Dark and sinister in tone, the track balances crushing riffs with melodic solo sections, showcasing the level of finesse Sylosis have brought to their latest studio effort.

The album opener, “Beneath the Surface”, throws the listener straight into the action. It is a furious mix of death metal and thrash metal elements that explodes from the speakers with relentless energy.

Next comes the dramatic “Erased”, which also served as the opening track of the Hamburg show. This throbbing metal anthem features a memorable melodic chorus and perfectly illustrates the dual nature of Sylosis’ sound—combining aggressive riffs, excellent solos, and a massively driving rhythm section.

“Mirror Mirror” is a Slipknot-inspired headbanger, driven by a pounding beat. In contrast, “Everywhere at Once” reveals a different side of the band. Beginning with an acoustic arrangement, the song highlights the clean vocals of Josh Middleton. Sung entirely without harsh vocals, it demonstrates Middleton’s vocal range and delivers one of the album’s most emotional and personal moments. Lyrically, the track reflects his feelings about leaving his young children at home while heading out on tour.

After this soulful, semi-acoustic interlude, “Circle of Silence” brings the ferocity back in full force. Deep growls, raspy screams, crushing riffs, and blistering solos define the track—and, in many ways, Sylosis’ signature sound as a whole.

“The New Flesh” is an album that clearly illustrates the band’s evolution. It is dark, destructive, dynamic, and versatile all at once. Most importantly, it sounds exactly the way Sylosis wanted it to sound. This sense of authenticity is a key factor in the impact and potential success of “The New Flesh.”