“The metal scene is less elitist nowadays”: Sylosis Are Back and More Comfortable Than Ever

Sylosis frontman Josh Middleton talks their Australian tour, his time with Architects, and why metal elitism is a thing of the past

We all know that getting to Australia is no easy feat. It’s one of those soul-sucking flights that leaves you feeling like a zombie for days afterward. The worst part is that there’s no way around it. The long, uncomfortable hours in a cramped seat watching movies that bore you. The not knowing what day it is or what time zone you’re in. Your legs hurting from a lack of movement.

Sylosis frontman Josh Middleton, along with the rest of the band, are currently gearing up for this marathon journey. But as I think about it, in many ways, this flight mirrors the band’s journey so far. A long, gruelling road, peppered with obstacles, but ultimately worth every bit of the struggle. That is Sylosis.

On the phone from his home in Reading, Middleton is wrapped up in a coat indoors, clearly battling the chill of the UK winter. “My car was frozen over this morning,” he chuckles. Mind you, he won’t need to worry about this for much longer. He will soon be trading the British frost for the warmth of Australia.

“I think there’s a similarity with the UK,” he reflects, talking about his past tours to Australia. “It feels like home, but with better weather. The personalities, the humour, even the sitcoms. My wife and I just finished watching Upper Middle Bogan.”

But this time around, the downtime will be fleeting. “We really don’t have much time,” he says. “Get to the venue, play the show, pack down, get to the hotel, wake up, get to the airport, and repeat. That’s the schedule.” This Australian tour is a shorter one compared to previous outings, something Middleton actually welcomes. His Dad instincts are kicking in.

“Personally, now that I’ve got two kids, I like not being away for too long,” he admits. “I’m used to being tired with kids. But at the same time, I’ll take any chance I get to put my headphones in and catch up on sleep.”

Middleton does, however, see the possibility of taking his family along on future tours. “When Architects did Unify Festival in Australia, I brought my wife and daughter, who was a baby at the time. We had one show and then just chilled for the rest of the time.” His kids, it seems, are slowly warming to the metal lifestyle. “It’s funny when I ask them to sing like me,” he laughs. “They do a weird little metal voice back.”

From forming Sylosis at just twelve years old to his seven-year stint with Architects, Middleton has spent most of his life in the world of heavy metal. And now that Sylosis is back together, it feels like a perfect fit. “It’s actually better now,” he says, reflecting on the reunion. “I was so frustrated with the music. I was putting restrictions on it. When we got signed, we were all about making records that appealed to the main metal-heads. Anything that resembled a breakdown wasn’t allowed. But now, the focus is more on how the songs will translate live.”

That time spent away from Sylosis has been invaluable for Middleton’s growth, both as a musician and a frontman. “I remember the first tour I did with Architects; no one was looking at me,” he recalls. “I assumed if I looked at the crowd, they’d look back at me. But I quickly realised that’s not how it works.”

The experience also changed the way he approached writing music. “With Architects, I saw a lot more honesty in the writing. That’s something I’ve brought back to Sylosis. Now, we’re not afraid to tell each other when a song sucks. It keeps the ego in check. We’re not too precious about our ideas anymore.”

Another key change which has been instructive in the bands return has been within the scene itself. “The metal scene is less elitist nowadays,” Middleton observes. “Back in the early 2000s, if you did anything that resembled new metalcore, fans of traditional metal would write it off. Now, there’s a lot more freedom in what you can do creatively.” It’s that shift that’s helped Middleton and Sylosis write music that feels more authentic, more at home with who they are as artists today.

Despite his long career in the spotlight, Middleton is still a naturally reserved person. An individual that doesn’t crave the attention that gets lauded upon him onstage. “I don’t talk to that many people,” he admits. “I enjoy my own company, working on projects and all that. As for being the frontman, I think I’ve stepped into that role with a lot more confidence now.”

Sylosis are currently touring Australia. They will be performing in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane from February 11 – February 15. Tickets can be accessed here.