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Hailing from the southern edge of Finland, BATTLE BEAST were founded in 2008 and soon established themselves with their trademark of pure crunching riffs, high screams, blistering solos and strong choruses. Taking the best elements of traditional heavy metal, the sextet is never afraid to add its own flavour to the recipe. After winning the 2010 Wacken Open Air “Metal Battle”, and shortly after Finland’s “Radio Rock Starba” competition, BATTLE BEAST soon caught the attention of Nuclear Blast. The worldwide release of the highly acclaimed debut album »Steel« in January of 2012 and a successful support tour with fellow Finns and label mates NIGHTWISH followed.   

September 2012 saw the original singer, Nitte Valo, leaving the band, to be replaced by a beautiful new front beast Noora Louhimo as they embarked on a tour with SONATA ARCTICA. With the refreshed line-up and an ever-growing hunger, BATTLE BEAST continued their march of success with their eponymous sophomore release in May 2013. Following the success of »Battle Beast«, charting at an amazing #5 in their native Finland and cracking the German Top 100, the band embarked on an extended European tour alongside German metal  band POWERWOLF in late 2013 and then hit the road in Sweden and Norway opening for German metal institution U.D.O.   

Having spent the year playing headlining shows in their native Finland, as well as invading some of the biggest festivals in 2014 (among them the renowned Loud Park in Japan, German Metalfest and Sabaton Open Air in Falun, Sweden), plus supporting their German labelmates ACCEPT during their Finland tour in September, BATTLE BEAST now return to what they do best: to take it to the next level! 

“I thirst to go further as a human being and the music on this album represents a part of the ongoing spiritual journey - that's what I tend to I call it - which is my road onward. Music-wise the songs have been expanded to a wider area as an effort to call out emotions close to those I myself had during the times of birth of these songs,” commented guitarist & vocalist Anton Kabanen about the upcoming new BATTLE BEAST album.  

»Unholy Savior« has been influenced by everything the band has been facing during the past months and clearly displays their increased hunger to succeed as a band. Trying to explain the topics of the third BATTLE BEAST record, one will have to go deeper as the songs lyrics were born through an emotionally violent and bloody struggle, that main composer Anton Kabanen was going through at the time: Questioning his whole existence step by step, wondering if his dream had betrayed him. »Unholy Savior« reeks of death, agony, pain, hate, confusion, fear and insecurity, but it speaks of deep gratitude, longing, consolation and love.    

“The album had to be done this way - through emotional hell. Having transferred these "things" and emotions into songs I feel that I'm ready to move on.  But like always, I wrote songs about the series "Berserk", as well, and the reason behind writing songs about that particular series is that I can strongly relate to that, especially to certain characters and to their way of thinking and feeling,” Anton adds.  

While with their previous album the young Finns did all the recording, producing and mixing themselves, »Unholy Savior« was produced by Anton Kabanen and co-produced by keyboardist Janne Björkroth and mixed by Matias Kupiainen at 5by5 Studios. Mastering was once again done by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios and the actual recordings took place at Sound Quest Studio and JKB Studios.  

»Unholy Savior« will be released on January 09, 2015. On the very same day BATTLE BEAST will return to the European roads, along with the band that has been supporting them since day one. Swedish metal heroes SABATON did not only invite the band to play at their very own Sabaton Open Air, but also featured a cover version of BATTLE BEAST’s ‘Out Of Control’ as a bonus track on their current charting success »Heroes«.   

Prepare yourselves for the return of the beast!   

»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 WITHINs 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.”

Tracklist:

Occult influenced heavy metal trio CASTLE will be making their way across California throughout January as they headline the "California Cult Tour" with music from their critically-acclaimed 2014 effort "Under Siege". The band are excited to reveal the vigorously haunting new music video for their single "A Killing Pace", which can be viewed directly below or via YouTube