Devil's Gate Music
Related Articles
Potent UK metallers, SYPHA, have announced themselves with their engulfing new single and video, Limbo. The track is lifted from the band’s blistering debut EP, Borderland, which arrives on Friday 24th January. Get the lowdown on the band, below:
What are the origins of Sypha?
We originally met in music uni a few years back and instantly clicked as we had such similar tastes in music. After a couple of band drinks and a few practices, we knew we were onto something cool! Sypha was officially formed in early 2022, with our first gig being that May.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe Sypha?
Spooky atmospheres, hard-hitting riffs, and catchy vocals! We take a lot of inspiration from all things a bit creepy, and channel that into our energetic metal sound.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
We played at a venue called ‘The Green Door Store’ in Brighton, which is a great local venue where we’d seen so many awesome bands before. We were so nervous going on stage but once the first song kicked in, we were instantly hooked on that special feeling when playing live and connecting to an audience.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
We’ve just released the 2nd track in our upcoming EP ‘BORDERLAND’, the song is called ‘Limbo’ and it’s probably our fastest and heaviest yet. This January the full EP will be available, and we’re so excited to share it with you all.
Regarding a similar audience, which band at the minute do you feel that Sypha would be best suited to open for?
With our current direction, we would say Poppy. We’ve loved listening to her latest album, especially the heavier tracks like ‘They’re All Around Us’.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
Tribe Of Ghosts! Not only are they a sick band you must see live, but they are also such lovely people too and do so much for the Brighton metal scene.
What frustrates you about the music business?
There’s a lot (and we mean A LOT) of work that goes on behind the scenes of a band, completely away from the music. And for a lot of grassroots bands like us, it can mean you’re working a part-time job, without the pay – as there just isn’t much money going around. But this does show the sheer passion and love that people, especially in the metal scene, have for their music and craft.
What are your first musical memories? And what lightbulb moment made you say “I want to do that”?
This probably differs slightly from band member to member, but seeing music videos on TV as kids put the idea in our heads. It’s hard not to see how cool your favourite bands look playing your favourite songs and think “I want to do that”. As for musical memories, it’s got to be the music you hear whilst growing up; on long-car journeys, hand-me-down CDs from older siblings, and sharing favourite tracks with friends.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Kate Nash in Brighton last weekend!
What current social issues are you particularly passionate about?
We always want women to feel safe, not just at our shows but everywhere right now, so the recent Reclaim the Night marches are something we support wholeheartedly, no one should ever have to feel unsafe just going about their daily lives. Also, the ongoing push by Kate Nash for fairer pay for streaming and better funding for grassroots venues is something that as musicians, really strikes a chord.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Ohhh there are a few between us! I think the most surprising to us probably was our bassist Will has a Sapphic pop playlist featuring, Chappell Roan, Girli, tiLLie, Scene Queen, Kate Nash etc. That was definitely something we weren’t expecting.
Everybody is a fan of something, who or what are you a fan of?
As a band, we love sports, especially football (well, for half of us at least), we love going to live music shows and we love playing card games on long train journeys. We also enjoy playing video games, with some of our favourites being Castlevania and Legend of Zelda.
What new music have you been enjoying this year?
As mentioned earlier, we’re loving Poppy’s new album ‘Negative Spaces’. It’s very varied in its sound, but we love how every track is its own thing.
What do the next few months hold for you?
We have our debut EP ‘BORDERLAND’ releasing in January 2025, and we’ll be following that up with our first-ever UK tour and some awesome festivals including Breaking Bands and Hammerdown Festival!
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
We’re most active on Instagram, posting about 2 or 3 times a week, so there’s enough to keep you occupied – whilst not clogging up your feed too much! You can find us on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook: @syphaband
