SYLOSIS Interview with Josh Middleton

XM: What has the band been up to so far this year?
Josh: We've done some good shows and festivals so far. We did a headline tour at the start of the year leading up to the UK release of our new album which was awesome. A lot of the shows were sold out. Most importantly we released our new album which has done really well. It went in at number 8 in the album rock charts on the first day.

XM: “Edge of the Earth” is your latest release, what was the recording process like this time around?
Josh: It was very spread out to be honest. We began tracking the drums in September 2009 and kept going in and out of the studio over the next few months due to touring commitments with Fear Factory and Dragonforce as well as our producer having other commitments. It was good in a way because we kept coming back to the sessions with fresh ears. The time in the studio was great though, really relaxed and creative.

XM: For the people who haven’t listened to the promos, can you tell us how this album will be different from “Conclusion of an Age”?
Josh: It's a lot more mature yet also a lot heavier and intense. We went for a more raw production this time which helped. The last album seemed to sterile. It's a lot more thrash orientated but also a lot more progressive. It's a lot of music to absorb too so the more you listen to the album the better it gets.

XM: What prompted your decision to take the lead on vocal duties here?
Josh: When we parted ways with our old vocalist there were only a few people we had in mind to step in. One was our friend Adam who sang in a band called Viatrophy but he ended up moving too far away so we were left without any options. We didn't want to spend months auditioning people and lose the momentum we'd be gaining so I thought it would be best to step up.

XM: Can you give our readers an idea of what to expect lyrically from this album? Where does the story take us?
Josh: It's a concept album about someone living in isolation for a lifetime. One of the main theme is time and getting old before you know it. It seems like the older you get the quicker it seems to go by. Each song helps move the story along but at the same time relates to something from personal experience.

XM: Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
Josh: I write a lot of the music and all the lyrics. The topics all come from personal experience like insomnia, or as I mentioned in earlier just feeling like time moves by so quickly. I think the topics will change over time as I don't want to repeat myself.

XM: Your artwork displays a refreshingly high-minded approach to metal, what was the inspiration behind this?
Josh: We really wanted something less cliche' than most metal bands. I've always been into art and I think it's really important for the artwork to reflect the vibe of the music. I like a lot album art from the 60's and 70's prog bands and wanted to find someone who could give us a similar style image. All the art was done by Daniel Goldsworthy but the concepts were all my ideas.

XM: If you could have been involved in the writing, recording or production of any album which would it be and why?
Josh: 'And Justice For All' by Metallica or 'Symbolic' by Death which are two of my favorite albums...Although those albums are near perfect so it'd have to be something that I feel could do with a few changes. I guess the production on And Justice For All could be fun to play with but I'm quite into how it sounds, it's part of its charm.

XM: What’s your take on music downloading? Do you have a preference among digital, cd, or maybe even vinyl?
Josh: I'm not a big fan of downloading. I love buying CDs and have done since I was a kid. I love the journey into town to the music shop, buying it, checking the shiny new package out on the way how, putting it on the headphones and reading the lyrics along with the music. It used to be a big ritual for me. We will have to move with the times and accept downloading. It would be nice if it was policed a bit more though. It would be really sad if they stopped making CDs!

XM: What is your favorite lyric of all time?
Josh: I guess all the lyrics to Symbolic by Death are some of my favorites. I like how it's about reminiscing about what it's like to be a kid again. It's such an un-metal subject matter for such a heavy song but it suits it perfectly. 'I close my eyes and sink within myself. Relive the gift of precious memories'.

XM: When looking at a guitar for purchase what are a few things you look at before buying one? What was the first guitar you ever owned?
Josh: The first guitar I ever owned was an Epiphone acoustic that cost £80 brand new and the other was a Squire Stratocaster. These days I'm into classic guitars with class. I love Les Pauls and SGs. It's got to be made out of decent wood and play well but looks are really important to me. I'm very fussy.

XM: What are your impressions of the metal scenes in your hometown and in the UK as a whole?
Josh: Our hometown doesn't have a huge metal scene but it seems quite healthy considering it's not a huge town. The UK metal scene is probably the best it's been since the late 80's and early 90's I'd say! Now with the internet it doesn't matter what bands are popular, everyone can discover new bands really easily.

XM: What are some of the band members involved in when they are not playing music?
Josh: I'm into doing music production. For fun I skateboard and draw from time to time. Rob and Carl both work testing Xbox games and Bailey is still at university doing a music degree.

XM: What are your plans for the rest of 2011?
Josh: Lots of European festivals. We want to tour as much as possible and hopefully get back out to the states!

XM: On behalf of xplosivemetal.com I would like to thank you for taking a few minutes to answer a few questions with us. Any last words?
Josh: Thanks for the interview. Our new album Edge Of The Earth is released in the USA on April 19th. Please buy a copy! Cheers!