A stark and immersive live cut captured at Frantic Fest 2024
“Presented in a clean but not too sterile production, constantly pushed forward by rolling and blasting beats and angular grooves” — Veil of Sound
Italian avant-metal collective syk release a compelling live video for “Where I Am Going There Is No Light“, the second track from their latest album ‘eartHFlesh’, available now via Season of Mist.
Captured during their performance at Frantic Fest 2024 in Francavilla al Mare, Italy, the video showcases syk’s raw energy and intricate musicianship, offering a visceral window into the album’s bleak yet transformative world. Frantic Fest, known for its cutting-edge curation of extreme music, provided the perfect stage for syk to reveal the full intensity of their sound.
The track itself unfolds in three conceptual acts—The Fall, The Enlightenment, and The Demons Spirals—each reflecting a stage in a surreal descent and rebirth. From the moment frontman Stefano Ferrian takes the mic, the performance bristles with urgency and menace, blending djent-laced riffs, blackened atmospherics, and haunting lyrical narratives.
As the band conjures this apocalyptic rite live, the audience becomes part of an unrelenting ritual—one that mirrors the song’s meditation on spiritual decay, self-disintegration, and the search for meaning in a world starved of light. The stage is shrouded in stark lighting and smoke, evoking the visual metaphor of the song’s title while reinforcing syk’s commitment to immersive, audiovisual storytelling.
Watch the video for “Where I Am Going There Is No Light”: https://youtu.be/RUfLiUU22YU
Order & Stream eartHFlesh: https://orcd.co/sykearthfleshpresave
Praise for eartHFlesh:
“SYKis an interesting discovery, blending oppression and heaviness with a mysterious, suffocating touch and jerky quasi-permanent rhythms.” – Acta Infernalis
“What we’re served here is sonic prowess from another world. There are delightful riffs and a rather complex dynamic.” – Scream Magazine
“Extreme prog for the advanced listener—angrier, more explosive, yet still marked by ambition and pleasant unpredictability.” – Demonic Nights
“Musically, the band remains committed to progressive extremity with touches of djent and ambient, but the new vocal tone at the forefront alone is enough to grab attention.” – Rock Hard IT
“Complex, relentless, and uncompromising — the sonic universe of Italian band Syk seems to know no labels or boundaries.” – Metal Hammer DE
“SYK present a truly wild potpourri of metal styles… Groove metal and deathcore are used as a base, while alt, nu, black, and dissonant metal elements weave in and out.” – Metalegion
Tracklist:
1. I am the beast (6:02)
2. Where I Am Going There Is No Light (5:54)
3. I’ll Haunt You In Your Dreams (6:08)
4. eartHFlesh (5:42)
5. The Sermon (5:06)
6. the Cross (3:50)
7. For To Themselves I Left Them (4:20)
8. The Passing (8:14)
Total runtime: 45:17
Style: Progressive Black/Death Metal
FFO: Rivers of Nihil, Gaerea, Gorguts, Gojira
SYK is a metal band that came into existence in 2013 when Stefano Ferrian and Federico De Bernardi di Valserra decided to embark on a new musical venture following the disbandment of their previous project, .psychofagist. They were soon joined by the immensely talented vocalist Dalila Kayros, whose vocal skills left a deep impression on the band during live performances.
In May 2014, syk released their debut album titled Atoma through L’Inphantile Collective. The album caught the attention of Philip H Anselmo from Housecore Records, who not only expressed his appreciation for the band’s work but also offered them a deal for their second album. This second album, titled I-Optikon, was released on December 2, 2016, and was produced by Philip H Anselmo himself. The album was notable for its technical compositions that offered a unique and unparalleled listening experience, as Metal Trenches aptly described it.
Following the release of their second album, the band welcomed their long-time friend Marcello Cravini as a permanent member, taking on the role of the second guitarist. syk subsequently embarked on extensive tours across Europe in 2017 and 2018 and had the honour of being the official support act for GODFLESH during their Italian/Slovenian run in May 2018. Additionally, they also participated in the prestigious Roadburn Festival in the same year, further cementing their reputation as a promising metal act.
In 2019, Federico made the difficult decision to leave the band due to personal reasons, and shortly after, the global pandemic hit, disrupting the band’s search for a new drummer. However, towards the end of 2020, Mauro Maraldo joined syk as their new drummer, and with their lineup complete, they wasted no time in entering the studio to record their third album. This album, titled Pyramiden, was released on March 11th, 2022, through Housecore Records/Nuclear Blast. The album’s distinct and powerful character earned syk high praise, with MetalheadCommunity recognizing them as one of the most promising metal acts of the time.
Pyramiden received further acclaim when it was included in the ProgSpace Awards 2022 under the category of ‘Album of the Year 2022/Extreme Prog Category’, alongside esteemed acts like Fallujah, Allegaeon, Cult of Luna, and Conjurer. Unfortunately, soon after the album’s release, both Mauro and Dalila had to depart from the band due to personal reasons.
However, syk, known for their sonic evolution, decided to press on. Founding members Stefano and Marcello continued working on their fourth album while actively searching for new members. Alan La Roca joined the band as the bass player, solidifying the lineup, but the search for a drummer remained a challenge. It wasn’t until Federico Leone answered their call that the band found their new drummer. With the lineup in place consisting of Stefano Ferrian as the new frontman, guitarist, and main songwriter, Marcello Cravini on guitars, Alan La Roca on bass, and Federico Leone on drums, syk took on a new form.
In early 2023, syk caught the attention of Season Of Mist, who signed them for the release of their fourth album, eartHFlesh. This album not only marks the band’s latest offering but also signifies their first decade as a band. With a reinvigorated sound and an intensified sonic progression, syk continues to captivate listeners and solidify their place in the metal scene.
Recording Lineup:
Stefano Ferrian – Guitars, Vocals
Marcello Cravini – Guitars, Ambient FX
Alan La Roca – Bass
Federico Leone – Drums
Guest Musicians:
Dalila Kayros – Guest Vocals (On ‘I Am The Beast’, ‘I’ll Haunt You In Your Dreams’, For To Themselves I Left Them’ & ‘The Passing’)
Recording Studio:
Fiery Water Recording Studio (Alessandria, Italy)
Producer, Sound, Mixing & Mastering Engineer:
Fabrizio Gesuato
Cover Art:
Nihil & Leoncio Harmr
Order & Stream: https://orcd.co/sykearthfleshpresave
Follow syk:
Bandcamp: https://syk-official.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syk_officialband/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mAhDco0hekGonexJ7ZdNG
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwGCWRkavCbr7DanM6W7wvw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/syk.official
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/syk/1589837870