Kev Rowland ‘Monolith’ is the third full length release from the Reading, UK based band Sylosis, and is already being hailed by some as their finest work to date and one can certainly see why. This is a stunning album, which while thrash influenced brings in loads of different styles and tempos as well. When it comes to out and out riff-action then this guys are there in spades, and a concert featuring these guys and Evile would be a match made in heaven (or hell). But, as with many British bands they refuse to stick in just one style and mix it up with both clean vocals and growls, slower riffs and blistering runs. What they never lose is the power and forcefulness of their music. At times they are Mastodon, and at others Nile, and at yet others Trivium, but they are always Sylosis. Thety also know how to use production techniques as while there is plenty of reverb at the beginning of “What Dwells Within” it soon becomes dry and hard as they riff along, and they use this ort of technique to great effect throughout the album.

There are some who view Sylosis as ‘Progressive Thrash’, and that is definitely right if one uses the “progressive” description for band that is genuinely trying to break new ground and refuses just to accept what has gone before. It is truly an incredibly powerful album, and singer/guitarist Josh Middelton is right on the top of his game. Whatever you want from a metal album – this delivers, and how. www.nuclearblast.de