Interview by Erin Eddy
UK heavyweights Sylosis are set to unleash their sixth studio album, A Sign Of Things To Come.
HEAVY spoke with vocalist/guitarist Josh Middleton about the process behind this new record and what it means to be reconnecting with his musical roots.
“The way we sound now is actually closer to how we started, but no one knows that,” Josh told HEAVY. “Everyone might hear what we’re doing as ‘new’ for us, but it’s actually a rediscovery of our roots, which are roots our fans don’t know we have ‘cause it pre-dates anything we’ve ever released.”
Those roots include bands from the glory days of nu-metal, such as Korn and Slipknot. Josh cites these bands as his gateway into heavy music, when he was a mere 9 years of age.
Josh has spent the past 6 years playing guitar for Architects, jumping in when former guitarist Tom Searle sadly lost his battle with cancer. Having only recently parted ways with them, Josh says that his time with Architects taught him to be a more collaborative musician.
“When I joined (Architects) it was me writing all the guitar riffs,” explains Josh, “The first time (Dan) worked on the songs I had sent him, he chopped and changed things, and I was like, ‘oh this is really uncomfortable, no one’s done this with my music.”
“Learning to let go of control, or even a clear vision of what I thought the song was and allowing it to take a different shape, that aspect has definitely helped,” Josh reflects of his growth as a songwriter.
A Sign Of Things To Come sees the Sylosis frontman sharing the driver’s seat with producer Scott Atkins (Cradle Of Filth, Amon Amarth and Behemoth to name a few) and band manager Adam Foster. “Our manager was a big part in pushing us in loads of different ways, in terms of just reaching our potential and writing songs that were going to be memorable,” Josh discloses.
Currently, there are three singles available from A Sign Of Things To Come; Deadwood, Poison For The Lost and the titular track, A Sign Of Things To Come.
The release date for the record is September 8, through Nuclear Blast /Sharptone Records.
Listen to the full interview with Josh now to hear from the horse’s mouth just what went into recording this album, as well as an insider scoop on upcoming tour plans!