Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Sylosis Dormant Heart Company: Nuclear Blast Release: 2015 Genre: Thrash, Melodic Death Reviewer: Greg Watson

Catchy, infectious riffs

UK group Sylosis return with album number four "Dormant Heart". Having really carved a name out for themselves with 2008's debut "Conclusion of an Age", the band has been in a groove ever since. "Dormant Heart" continues that trend, delivering a more pissed off and angry album that has the same catchiness and appeal that the band's previous three releases had.

"Where the Wolves Come to Die" is effective enough as an opener to set the stage for "Victims and Pawns" perfectly. The instant "Victims and Pawns" kicks in, it is clear that the gloves are off and that Sylosis aren't pulling punches anymore, they're going straight for the knockout blow. Vocalist, guitarist and founder Josh Middleton has really harshened up his vocals and given a bit more growl to them on this album. The anger and venom in his delivery meshes perfectly with the aggressive riffing that makes this album damn near irresistible. Tracks like "Dormant Heart", "Overthrown" and "Harm" are just great thrash-influenced tracks. The riffs on these songs will not leave your head once you hear them. "To Build a Tomb" has this incredible Eastern-sounding riff that just infests your psyche like a ghostly beetle that's one goal is to burrow and live in your brain. The surprise track of the album is "Quiescent", the closing track. It starts off with this beautiful acoustic riff and Middleton's clean, emotive vocals swirling around the riff. As the song progresses, the acoustic guitar is replaced with a heavily distorted electric guitar playing the same riff and Middleton's vocals go from soothing to tortured and more growled, giving the album a unique blend of distinction between mellow and heavy that complements each other frighteningly well. You won't find many bands attempting an ambitious track like this.

The combo of Middleton and Alex Bailey on guitar has really figured out how to craft these catchy, infectious riffs without the use of breakdowns or down tuned guitars. The production is impeccable on "Dormant Heart" complimenting the album to perfection. Sylosis have set the bar high for pending releases that are on the coming horizon of 2015. Be warned, this album could well be a contender for album of the year and could very easily be an album that you won't be able to put down once you start listening to it.