EP Review: Soul Syphon – Reality is Bleak (Self Released)

Soul Syphon, a new and emerging voice in the metalcore scene and one that comes from the creative force that is CJ Jarvis, will release ‘Reality is Bleak’ on February 21st, 2025. The debut EP of Soul Syphon, which is a deeply personal project born from CJ’s experiences with internal struggle, loss, and resilience.

So, what can Soul Syphon offer a genre that is notably over-saturated? The answer is simple. High quality, anthemic intensity with a level of personal attachment that isn’t always present in this sound. Soul Syphon deserves a ton of credit for crafting something exciting and interesting within the metalcore world and doing it solo.

Unleashing heavy noise, and some two-stepping energy, the opening track Privileged Hands is a banger start. The rawness it has makes it sound even meaner, and it is a track with a serrated edge.

Disconnection comes next and features a few experimental touches here and there, while being focused on an aggressive delivery. Unsound also has a few experimental moments, but whereas they work in the former, in the latter, they’re a bit annoying. What isn’t annoying is the head banging, speeding intensity of it all though, and a strong guest vocal spot from Zach Hatfield.

An apt title, Volatile goes hard, but it’s the following Half Empty that truly cracks skulls. All because the tempo shifts are killer. When this one is fast, it’s incredibly sharp, but when it slows down, that’s the blunt force trauma. Even the brief mid-point ‘beeps’ feel like they fit here.

Finally, it’s Elegy and one last riotous expulsion of charming intensity. Soul Syphon have delivered something really likable.

Soul Syphon – Reality is Bleak Track Listing:

1. Privileged Hands
2. Disconnection
3. Unsound (feat. Zach Hatfield)
4. Volatile
5. Half Empty
6. Elegy

Links

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