When Josh Middleton formed Sylosis in Reading back in 2000, he carried a crystal-clear vision: to inject technical precision, the fury of 80s thrash, and the intricate guitar harmonies of Gothenburg melodic death metal back into modern heavy music. While the scene at the turn of the millennium was drowning in formulaic breakdowns, Sylosis carved out a reputation as a band for true guitar aficionados. Their signature sound relies on surgically precise riff structures, relentless blast beats, and solos that balance fiery speed with pure musicality.
The turning point came with their 2008 debut Conclusion of an Age, a record that flawlessly merged thrash velocity with progressive arrangements. When Middleton stepped up to handle lead vocals in 2010 following the departure of Jamie Graham, the band’s edge grew even rawed and more aggressive. Subsequent albums Edge of the Earth (2011) and Monolith (2012) cemented their status at the forefront of the UK metal scene, spawning crushing anthems like Empyreal and Fear the World. With Cycle of Suffering (2020) and their latest effort The New Flesh (2026), they evolved into a tighter, more direct sonic force without sacrificing a fraction of their technical complexity.
Live, Sylosis operate with terrifying instrumental discipline. Middleton’s ability to execute lightning-fast, hyper-technical riffs while delivering brutal vocals makes him one of the most formidable frontmen in modern metal. No tracks to hide behind, no studio smoke and mirrors—just raw musicianship, seamless time shifts, and a wall of riffs that hits like a high-voltage charge.
