About this Event

DECAPITATED As a Teenage Death Metal act DECAPITATED averaged an age of just 17 by the time of their debut album but incredibly drummer Vitek was a mere twelve years old upon their formation in 1996. Both guitarist Vogg and bassist Martin also held down membership of Black Metal act LUX OCCULTA . In 1997 the trio of vocalist Sauron, guitarist Vogg and Vitek added the 13 year old bassist Martin. DECAPITATED, hailing from Krosno, debuted with the demos Cemeteral Gardens in 1997 and 1998 "The Eye Of Horus". Further exposure was garnered by the inclusion of tracks on the 2000 Relapse Records 'Polish Assault' compilation alongside YATTERING , LOST SOUL and DAMNABLE.



The first album, recorded for Earache subsidiary Wicked World, was produced by VADER Piotr Wiwczarek and sees a cover of SLAYER Mandatory Suicide. DECAPITATED early demos were pressed up onto CD by Poland’s Metal Mind Productions entitled The First Damned, adding two live tracks from the 'Thrash 'em All' festival. The band toured as support to VADER in early 2001. DECAPITATED's February 2002 album 'Nihility' would include a cover version of NAPALM DEATH 's 'Suffer The Children'. The band scored a valuable coup later that same year, being chosen to perform at the Polish 'Ozzfest' event in late May. By August DECAPITATED was on the road in North America with tour partners INCANTATION , VEHEMENCE and DEAD TO FALL.



The band, shooting a promotional video for the track 'Spheres of Madness' to further promote the album, would form up part of a strong package bill topped by VADER for a run of dates across mainland Europe from late August alongside KRISIUN and PREJUDICE . Vitek took time out to lay down drums on VADER frontman Piotr Wiwczarek's PANZER X project EP 'Steel Fist'. The February 2004 DECAPITATED album 'The Negatron' would see a bonus track offering of a take on DEICIDE 's 'Lunatic Of God's Creation'. A short spurt of UK dates saw the band ranked alongside ROTTING CHRIST , ANATA and THUS DEFILED.



The band then united with Norwegian Black Metal elite outfit MAYHEM and Japanese act DEFILED for a European tour commencing early April. US dates scheduled for July and August had DECAPITATED opening for CANNIBAL CORPSE . However, all North American touring plans were cancelled due to the sensitivity in regard to the band's name and the executions of hostage victims in Iraq. DECAPITATED parted ways with guitarist Jacek Hiro in October, opting to remain a quartet for February 2005 European gigs allied with HATE , CRIONICS and DIES IRAE . The band re-shaped in June when frontman Sauron closed a nine year tenure by announcing his withdrawal. DECAPITATED quickly drew in their friend Covan formerly of ATROPHIA RED SUN, NEUROTOXIC.c.w.a., as replacement.



The band entered Hertz Studios in Bialystok in August to record a new album entitled 'Organic Hallucinosis'. September European dates had DECAPITATED partnered with British act GOREROTTED and Dutch DETONATION . Following US gigs in December, DECAPITATED parted ways with bassist Martin, the four-stringer having to deal with military conscription issues, pulling in Richard Gulczynski as replacement. Live work breaking into 2006, promoting the 'Organic Hallucinosis' album recorded at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, saw the band teaming up with HYPOCRISY , SOILENT GREEN , RAGING SPEEDHORN , NILE and WITH PASSION for a North American tour commencing in early January.



In mid February it was learned that bassist Martin had returned to the fold. US dates for September and October 2006 saw the band hooking up with KRISIUN , CATTLE DECAPITATION , SIX FEET UNDER and ABYSMAL DAWN. The band united with headliners FEAR FACTORY and SUFFOCATION for further North American shows in November. The band united with Nancy's PHAZM for extensive European touring throughout February 2007. In May the group toured throughout Australia and New Zeeland supporting NILE.



The band's next tour outing was to be the 'Summer Slaughter' trek across the USA throughout June and July, seeing NECROPHAGIST headlining on a mammoth package billing with BENEATH THE MASSACRE , CEPHALIC CARNAGE , CATTLE DECAPITATION , THE FACELESS , AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK , ARSIS and ION DISSONANCE . The band is ready for next tour attacks! Asia, North and South America and Europe!!!



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‘Dormant’ is not a word that you can associate with Reading’s metallers Sylosis – the band who have in the past few years alone toured with Lamb Of God, Killswitch Engage, Devil Driver and Trivium. As well as playing huge festivals across the globe such as Sonisphere, Wacken, Graspop and Pukkelpop.



‘Dormant Heart’ is not a peaceful album, it’s a powerful force, unleashing anger against every day injustice and a sleeping society that lets these things wash over them. Frontman Josh Middleton explains ‘The title refers to people going through life on autopilot and being one of the herd. How a lot of people simply accept the way things are just because it's 'tradition' as opposed to taking a good look at the world around you and thinking for yourself. Sometimes there are catalysts that happen and change our perspective or consciousness…’



One might take this catalyst as being representative of the driving accident that Sylosis had on a US tour with Trivium and Devil Driver in September 2013. Luckily the band escaped the RV accident without major injuries but had to withdraw from the rest of the American shows. It was a big influence on the writing of their fourth album. This isn’t a band that lets the tough gruelling schedule of touring wear them down though and once they’d been patched up and recovered they were back on the road in the UK. The incident did however provide food for thought as to how the band has to some extent a constant element of danger and personal sacrifice.



Sylosis began tracking the album back in March 2014 working away secretly alongside touring commitments. Josh Middleton took a step up on this album producing it himself with the help of engineer Scott Atkins. The album was mastered by TesseracT guitarist Acle Kahney. Josh says of the recording process “It was great doing some of the recording with Scott again. We've got a good working relationship and he's really dedicated to what he does. We like to strive for a very earthy and organic sound. It adds to the human element and brings out the intensity and vibe in the music.”



Guitars and vocals were recorded at Wizard Sound Studios in the band’s hometown Reading. Drums were recorded in May at Monkey Puzzle Studios by original drummer Rob Callard who parted ways with Sylosis in September 2014 due to time restraints. Bleed From Within’s Ali Richardson is now drumming for the band permanently after filling in for some live shows on the bands spring 2014 tour.



‘Dormant Heart’ retains the distinctive Sylosis sound; a mixture of intense heavy guitar riffs, breakdowns, thudding rhythm and Middleton’s growl. It’s difficult to tie-down the band into a specific type of metal genre. Stomping opener ‘Where The Wolves Come To Die’ unleashes an aggressive start whilst ‘Leech’ provides those breakdowns and epic choruses. ‘Mercy’ demonstrates the mix of galloping rhythm and melodic guitar riffs whilst Josh fiercely declares ‘there’s no redemption’. Aptly named closer track ‘Quiescent’ provides over 9 minutes of solemn prog showing a less forceful side of the band it’s ballad like in nature, with lyrics questioning ‘Maybe the flames are all they have?’ It’s softer in dynamic but the sense of impending doom remains ‘Fail to rescue// I can see// Now the line is drawn at our feet’.



Josh summarises the record as their best work to date. “It's the most pissed off, aggressive and intense album we've done, yet it still retains the epic, progressive and melodic side we're also known for. It's a very gloomy and atmospheric album. We've been through a lot as a band and individuals and we've made our darkest album to date.”