Review Summary: An unexpectedly awesome release from the band that couldn't pick a genre.
Sylosis is a band that is relatively new to the scene, releasing their first EP a mere three years ago. Their original material is nothing special. By early 2008 it appeared as if Sylosis had become just another band lost between the worlds of melodeath and metalcore, and not really excelling at either. They had certainly proven themselves capable musicians, but they had ultimately failed to capitalize on their talent. Only a few months after their second EP, Sylosis decided to be awesome instead of another boring death metal band with nothing to offer. "Conclusion of an Age" is the fruit of Sylosis' efforts, and it displays an almost unnatural progression from "The Supreme Oppressor."
In essence, Sylosis is melodic death metal is the vein of bands like the Absence with minor influences of thrash metal and progressive. As you probably expected, Sylosis relies heavily on heavy-handed chug riffs and choppy rhythm sections for most of the guitar. Often, the guitar simply plays along to the stuttering tattoo of the drums, which consist of formulaic hits and a never ending bass roll. Fortunately, Sylosis is saved from mediocrity by the sheer brutality of the lead guitar. The leads throughout the album are explosive and chaotic, taking elements of melodic death and thrash and fusing them together to create wickedly technical riffs with a nasty edge. "Teras" is a prime example of this, exploring a more shreddy sound while unfailingly employing the legendary "squealie."
Along with the standout guitar performance, the vocals are simply amazing. Like the guitar, the vocals are generally run-of-the-mill shrieks and growls that sound like just about every other death metal band you’ve ever heard. What really bring the vocal performance to life are the clean vocals. Backed by tremendously epic riffs, Jamie Graham unleashes a truly astonishing performance with his clean voice. Full of conviction and sorrow Jamie unleashes the words “Hold on to the thought that it was just… // and pray for life to continue// we are far beyond safety’s grasp // to re-emerge lifeless…” in the album’s first real track “After Lifeless years.” Nothing compares to the soul-shattering delivery of Jamie’s true voice.
Packed full of emotion, brutality and an unrelenting riff rampage, Conclusion of an Age is in essence the ultimate melodic death metal album. For their first album, Sylosis displays an incredible amount of maturity and ability to progress. I would not be surprised if Sylosis rises quickly in the melodeath scene.
Four and a half lifeless years out of five
Recommended tracks-
After Lifeless Years
Transcendence
Swallow the World
Teras
Last Remaining Light
