Album Review: Syncolima – Move Mountains (Self Released)

Nottingham, UK based 3-piece riff machine, Syncolima, are back with their brand-new album, ‘Move Mountains’. Out September 5th, 2025.

Syncolima wrote the big riffs manifesto, and it goes something like this: Big riffs are the best. Get high all the time. Sure, it could be more encompassing, but the result speaks for itself, whether you’re high or not. Move Mountains is all about the riff, and Syncolima are very adept at delivering big, groovy, and compelling efforts.

From the very start, where an energised and excitable Gluten Free Toast gets the head banging, and Mistakes Were Made showcases depth with a bit more melody and its punchy drum/guitar combo, Syncolima grab the attention. They’ve always been a reliably strong band, but it’s encouraging to hear that they’re not stagnating. Choosing instead to refine what they’re so good at.

Case in point. The way they bring even more groove with Shipwrecked. Combining that with familiar stoner sounds, then throwing in a dash of grubby grunge and, interestingly, getting a bit experimental along the way too. It’s one of the album’s more layered track, but one that has accessible infectiousness, as per usual.

A highlight? Undeniably so, but let’s not kid ourselves, Move Mountains is filled with them and the body shaking fun and enigmatic experimentation keeps on coming courtesy of Black Dog and the Bleak Sky, where the vocals and bass prove to be the stars. Courtesy of Kill All Billionaires, which is a hyperactive blast with a meaty end, and courtesy of Ouroboros, which is classic Syncolima riffiness, blended with dreamy desert rock vibes. You’ll enjoy the s**t of these tracks, unsurprisingly as Syncolima deliver the kind of aural satisfaction that you leaves you feeling spent.

Thankfully it’s a tight listen, eight tracks long and with no fluff or filler, so with a groovy bang it ends. First, with the potent rockiness of the title track (the soloing at the end is so cool), then with the moody and melodic The House We Build. A powerhouse finale with moments of thrilling explosivity and an exclamation point on this band’s quality. Nailing it, once again, but also stepping up in all departments, meaning we’re left with the overriding feeling that this is Syncolima at their best.

Syncolima – Move Mountains Track Listing:

1. Gluten Free Toast
2. Mistakes Were Made
3. Shipwrecked
4. Black Dog and the Bleak Sky
5. Kill All Billionaires
6. Ouroboros
7. Move Mountains
8. The House We Build

Links

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