Sumo Cyco

Initiation

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Genre: Alternative Metal.
Released: 07/05/2021
Via Napalm Records

Album Review: Sumo Cyco – Initiation

Canadian Metallers Sumo Cyco are back with their album ‘Initiation’. The band have one of the more unique sounds as they aren’t afraid to take risks when writing music which has led to this new album having quite a lot of hype around it. This is Sumo Cyco’s first studio album since 2017’s ‘Opus Mar’ and fans have not been quiet about their excitement for the new music. I won’t delay any further so without further adieu, here are my thought’s on Sumo Cyco’s ‘Initiation’.

Sumo Cyco waste no time and bring their classic style out to play with the track ‘Love You Wrong’. Skye’s ability to change from her clean style to the more aggressive gutturals makes for an entertaining listen. The track itself utilises contrast very well and keeps the listener on the edge of their seat throughout the entire song. Following that is the emphatic single titled ‘Bystander’. A heavy number with almost reggae undertones creates a unique sound that fit’s the band well. There is a reason the song has already amassed over 200,000 streams on Spotify alone, and I have to say this is a must-listen. A very strong start to the band’s first album under Napalm!

Up next is the polarising ‘Vertigo’. Adrift from the band’s usual vibe as they look to experiment with a host of new styles. Personally, I enjoy this song as it’s straight to the point and features a memorable beat that is laid down by Matt “Trozzi” on drums and Oscar Aneset on Bass. Going back to the reggae tones of ‘Bystander’, ‘Bad News’ amplifies that 10 fold. I love the way the track feels completely different from everything else yet still fits in the Sumo Cyco vibe. The syncopated riffs from Matt Drake adds a bit of oomph to the song and help it to stand its ground well. 

‘No Surrender’ feels like a proper anthem. It’s one of those songs that get you excited for the day, you can scream this one alongside other fans of the band at a gig again. This may not be a song that you play over and over again however it will certainly go down as a fan favourite once live shows return! Surprisingly, ‘M.I.A’ really changes the vibe. A more super pop esc track that features a much more cyber like sound. The song highlights Skye’s vocal diversity as it showcases her ability to adapt her voice to fit any sort of track. 

Returning to a heavier style, ‘Cyclone’ is a very unique track. The percussion in this track is really powerful and it adds a layer that I wasn’t even aware I needed to enjoy this track. In fairness, the song is a little repetitive at times however, the use of synth to create this very unusual instrumental makes this song worth a listen or two. From a song dominated by percussion to a song that just captures the Sumo Cyco feel perfectly! ‘Run With The Giants’ takes the heavy nature of the band and mixes it with their more pop-like elements and it does it well. Once again, Skye’s vocal contrast carries the song to new heights. It’s no wonder why the band released this as a single!

‘Overdrive’ is just a lot of fun. An infectious rhythm accompanied by a joyous chord progression will have you grooving along right from the get-go. This is a shining example of when a band manage to nail every part of a track. Nothing overshadows anything else and each member’s part fits perfectly into place. This is one hell of a track! ‘Power and Control’ is full of character and passion. The minimalist instrumental through the verse works well at amplifying the words Skye is singing. I also am a big fan of just how seamlessly the song transitions from the minimalist parts to the all-out barrage of riffs. 

The penultimate track ‘This Dance Is Doomed’ steps things up a notch! It’s one of those songs that will have you headbanging without even realising. A nice blend of distortion and effects allows the band to execute the song in a way only they could. It’s been a very strong album up until this point and ‘Awakened’ doesn’t disappoint. The song just feels like a song that should be closing an album. If this was played at the end of a movie, it wouldn’t be out of place. The flow of the album has been impeccable and Sumo Cyco have completely nailed the finale.

What else do I need to say? Sumo Cyco has produced one hell of an album! The band can blend so many different styles together in order to create their own unique musical world. This album has gotten me pumped for what Sumo Cyco have in store for fans in the future. Let’s get live shows back so we can all lose our shit to these tracks live! I recently had the pleasure of talking with Skye and Matt of Sumo Cyco, see what down here.