SYKOSIS

TEDY JUNK : LEAD VOCALS

TOMMY DRUMZ : DRUMS & VOCALS

JUSTIN KALENITS : LEAD GUITAR & VOCALS

JOHN NARED : RHYTHM GUITAR & BASS

DANNONBALL MORENO : RHYTHM GUITAR & BASS

JESSE CANTER : SAMPLES, KEYS, PROGRAMMING

We recently had the opportunity to catch up with the guys in SYKOSIS at their two day “DEAD OF WINTOUR” kickoff party and show. Formed in 2011 and billed as a “shock metal” band, their sound is vigorous, aggressive and in your face. We mean literally, as lead vocalist Tedy Junk, who charismatically engages the audience throughout the entire performance will literally lean down or even step off the stage with mic in hand to get right in the faces of the fans. Lyrically spinning their dark and sinister tales of the “demons” of life, such as poverty, abuse, torture, madness, love loss, betrayal, and war to a hardcore groove; monstrous guitar riffs and forceful melodies.

A special feature of the performance involves something they call the “Wall of Life”, some metal bands refer to this as the “Wall of Death”, but for Sykosis the whole live performance is about life; living it and experiencing it; meant to be a positive, energetic life episode providing a safe avenue for the release of inner demons; not only for them but for the fans as well. The process involves parting the crowd right down the middle center stage; on que the band erupts with Tommy Drumz laying down a chest thumping tempo; lead guitarist Justin Kalenits hammering out exploding riffs and savage solos; rhythm and bassist John Nared and Dannonball Moreno methodically moving in sync; Jesse Canter providing dynamic key boarding and well placed samples as each side of the wall runs toward the other to fill the gap in a ferocious mosh pit of madness.

Sykosis represents two extremes, off stage and unmasked, they are a good hearted, comical and energetic group of guys who love their fans as much as their fans love them. Engaging with the fans before each performance, hanging out near the merchandise table, or laughing and telling stories over a few beers near the bar. The guys talk a lot about releasing the inner demons and the masks they wear on stage are a representation of those demons, and allow those otherwise repressed personalities to be released on stage. The struggle of the conflicting personality extremes becomes apparent throughout the performance as the sinister messages and hard core rhythms are delivered with a genuine sense of concern and goodwill towards others that cannot be completely suppressed behind the mask.

Sykosis has now embarked on a 13 state, Middle America “DEAD OF WINTOUR” in support of their latest full length release “The Act of Vengeance”. The band also has plans of re-releasing their first independently produced EP “Ghost of a Killer” containing two new tracks, remastered originals and new artwork. The release is expected to hit the shelves in March 2015. Sykosis also has plans to complete work on at least six new tracks and return to the studio to start working on the next release, We will keep an eye out and look forwarding to hearing some new music from Sykosis in the future.

We had a chance to talk with Sykosis at the “DEAD OF WINTOUR” kickoff party in North East Ohio last weekend, you can see that interview here:

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