SYNCOLIMA Blend Stoner Groove And Melodic Hooks With New Release "Move Mountains"
- Sep 10, 2025
- 2 min read
With an opening track called "Gluten Free Toast", you're already off to a great start.
Derbyshire metallers SYNCOLIMA have unleashed their latest full length album "Move Mountains", their first LP since 2023. The album, the band's third, sees subject matter surrounding the impact of social media and mental health struggles, and is set against a groove-laden, fuzz driven backdrop. The end result? Infectiously catchy, undeniably brilliant.
The aforementioned opening track joins the ranks of songs that are infinitely better than their name may suggest at first glance - a super groovy bass line kicks things off, with the full band joining in for an upbeat, galloping rhythm. The track then goes half time, turning the gallop into more of a bluesy stride. The band have come right out the gate swinging, making an excellent first impression and making me excited for the next 40 minutes or so.
Next track "Mistakes Were Made" starts with a nice bit of clean guitar (teetering on the edge of a Middle Eastern sound) before turning into a raucous alt rock affair. It's a great overview of Syncolima's varied soundscapes, blending dirty riffs with stoner groove and clean atmospherics. Around the three minute mark, there's a great bit of rhythm work, the band teasing their prog technicalities and having some fun with it.
"Shipwrecked" sees the bluesy groove return, this time littered with some punchy drum fills. The chorus is infectiously catchy, perfect for a crowd singalong, and the groove is contagious - the type of groove that weasels its way into your body, be it a head bob or a foot tap. There's some great instrumental sections here too, various guitar solos and the such.
The band are at their strongest when they let the stoner rock influences shine through. Luckily, there's a lot of this: "Kill All The Billionaires" leads with a sludgy riff, cymbal hits accenting the groove; Pre- release single "Black Dog And The Bleak Sky" changes things up with a very Tool-esque bassline throughout. Even "Ouroboros", probably the album's most straightforward track, still has its moments, especially towards the end.
There is an element of 'sameness' towards the end, harder to tell some of the slower songs apart, but closer "The House We Build" ensures a satisfying finale, delivering everything that's made the previous tracks strong.
In places, it heavily reminds me of a considerably less vulgar Footprints In The Custard, taking the stoner feel, combining it with the grunge angst, and injecting upbeat intensity into it. The lyrical content is heavy, but the songwriting delivers it well.
Three albums in, and Syncolima are unstoppable, blending heaviness and heart whilst maintaining melodic hooks and a contagious energy.
It's also an incredibly solid sound for a three piece.
"Move Mountains" is out NOW on streaming platforms
Comments