01. Beneath The Surface
02. Erased
03. All Glory, No Valour
04. Lacerations
05. Mirror Mirror
06. Spared From The Guillotine
07. Adorn My Throne
08. The New Flesh
09. Everywhere At Once
10. Circle Of Swords
11. Seeds In The River

Bridging the divide.

Sylosis have been on a bit of a tear since they found a new lease of life way back in 2019, re-establishing themselves as not only a going concern, but reaching heights beyond those they achieved on their first run. While the band have leant further into their metalcore leanings and less into their progressive elements since Cycle Of Suffering, much to the consternation of some, it is a sound they are perfecting with each subsequent release. Marking a new level of ambition in naming the album The New Flesh, a name like this signposts that Sylosis are indicating at an evolution from their past, an emancipation that alludes to either sonic or sentimental separation; the question is whether the material can match the lofty goals the band are evidently aiming for.

It is ironic, then, that the title is somewhat of a misnomer, as the album feels like a sonic tug of war between old and new, an album powered by its own dichotomous contradictions as the band flit between sounds old and new. The New Flesh is an enjoyable album that feels like the sonic equivalent of a pachinko machine: metal being launched with purpose and intent, bounding around but not settling.

Emerging straight out of the gates into this sonic schizophrenia is "Beneath The Surface", a track that morphs between groove, power and rawness, all tied together with a metalcore approach; it signposts what is to come. It is this sonic dysmorphia that keeps listeners on edge, as The New Flesh goes from the chug-a-thon groove of "Erased", right into the blistering, Testament-inspired thrash of "All Glory, No Valour", which sounds like a rabid dog straining at the leash. It this constant jumping between sounds that will hook you in, wondering what will follow each track.

Perhaps the most unexpected of sonic manumittence is with the acoustic-led power ballad "Everywhere At Once", a complete left field turn that I didn't think Sylosis had in them. It is a refreshing and tender moment in an album otherwise drenched in anger and angst, one of the few times the band feel comfortable in their, well, own flesh. Indeed, speaking of anger, it is likely owing to his stint in Architects that Middleton's penchant for penning a socio-political lyric is akin to a hitman taking aim: funneling his anger into inspiration that seeps into the music. Tracks like "Mirror, Mirror" & "Spared From The Guillotine" are fuelled with this emotional disgust that ensures they hit harder sonically.

It is therefore somewhat disappointing that, despite the band's lofty ambitions, the songwriting is a drop-off from band's usual high standards. While some may be disappointed by the direction of the likes of A Sign Of Things To Come, there was no doubting the quality of its execution. The same unfortunately cannot he said of The New Flesh, as tracks like "Lacerations" and the title track feel too disjointed to really land a blow; they come close but ultimately fall just short, falling over themselves just short of the finishing line. The tendency to bridge sections with mid-paced chugs also gives some tracks a feeling of familiarity that engenders contempt.

This identity crisis makes for an interesting listen for sure, though for as much as it may intrigue and entertain, it also hinders the overall execution of The New Flesh. Sylosis find themselves at an interesting intersection of their careers; how they decide to proceed from here will likely keep eyeballs on them for a good while yet.

Performance:	8
Songwriting:	6
Originality:	7
Production:	7