Sydney Fate – Silicon Nitride (Album Review)

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It’s easy enough to dream of being a star, but alternative metal band Sydney Fate bring forward a full-length debut that proves they’re more than ready to live the dream. Boiling over with aggression and enthusiasm, “Silicon Nitride” comes across with an attitude of artists that respect the scene that they’re walking into without bowing to its expectations. Following in the well-trodden footsteps of the many alternative artists that came before them, Sydney Fate is all about the pain of love lost, tangled in a combination of roaring rage and sultry melancholy. Rich in production value and unwavering musicianship, this bold first offering is one that is sure to turn heads for a glimpse of turbulent tides painted through captivating harmonies. 

Formed by vocalist and front-man Bailey Edwards when he was still in high school, Sydney Fate suffered through the growing pains of young artists with valiant resilience, offering up two demos in 2017. A painful breakup with Edwards’ girlfriend forced an unexpected hiatus, but it was the emotions from this obstacle that fueled the fire which would burn to forge “Silicon Nitride” over the next three years. Retaining original guitarist Dominic Evans alongside Edwards, Sydney Fate solidified their lineup and began to plot the succession to their EP “Sound Alive.” Pushed in part by a number of shows throughout 2019 in which they relentlessly promoted “Sound Alive” and fought to distinguish themselves, Sydney Fate soon found themselves signed to Eclipse Records for a full-length album. 

Silicon Nitride” is unique in its balance of youthful exuberance and a serious approach to metal as a form of complex art. Each of the eight tracks capture the sound of a fun-loving garage band that’s more than comfortable playing just for the joy of it, but the production and composition show the maturity of a band accustomed to taking the big stage with stoic grace. A combination of uncompromising commitment to quality music and high production value are a perfect compliment to the raw and untainted emotions of emerging artists simply thrilled to have a chance to refine their craft. 

There are few songs where this innate passion is more obvious than fourth track “Courthouse Problematic,” which best showcases the band’s songwriting abilities and establishes itself as the album’s crown jewel. Swinging from the aggressive depths of metal to the pensive melodies of alternative music, the organic flow of this track captures the chaos and yearning of the human spirit with uncanny artistic vision. Sydney Fate has proven themselves adept at mimicking the unpredictable flow of emotions that sometimes bear no name, with “Courthouse Problematic” using a flurry of screams, shouts, and tender clean vocals to paint a hurt soul seeking meaning and love amongst loss. Culminating in a violent howl, the intonation of vocalist Adam Rapado’s near animalistic “f**k you” captures rage at its peak, the song descending into unrestrained brutality as it draws to a close. 

“Silicon Nitride” Album Artwork

The contrast in vocals is what makes “Silicon Nitride” so magnetic. It is a rare case where the black and white between screams and cleans is more than the sum of its parts; while Sydney Fate seeks firm footing in the aggressive harsh vocals that wrap throughout their choruses, the slight rasp in Edwards’ radio-ready voice dances beautifully alongside two guitars that seem to bow to his will. In voice alone, Edwards is incredibly charismatic, second track “Sound Alive” encapsulating the smoothness of his tone and its ability to mesh artistically with Evans’ vibrant guitar. The two make for a brilliant pair at the front of the vocal-heavy mix, further accented by Rapado’s edge, throwing off just enough darkness to give the heartbroken sorrow some chance at redemption. “Sweet Anticipation” offers throaty shrieks and gritty breakdowns as an aggressive album closer, and gives Thomas Atkinson-Turner’s bass ample opportunity to shine. 

While Sydney Fate have certainly shown themselves more than capable of running at full-tilt through the peaks of anger and sadness, the overall composition of “Silicon Nitride” has its fair share of temperance. Surpassing the low expectations often set for bands rooted in screams and breakdowns, the atmospheres across the tracks of “Silicon Nitride” have a strong and refreshing variety, helped in part by the tender interlude of “Chelsey Grin.” Slow and resonate, the meditative exploration of the album’s midpoint is proof of not just the band’s versatility, but a demonstration of artists who are acutely aware of how to craft an album that plays to all dimensions of the human heart. Echoes of sweetness and earnest crooning give “Silicon Nitride” countless facets throughout its duration, and a rare universal appeal which transcends its heaviest moments. 

Though they are young and bubbling with enthusiasm, Sydney Fate approach alternative metal with a maturity of much more experienced artists. “Silicon Nitride” has all the pains of youthful heartbreak rolled up in beautiful songwriting and superb execution, thrilling the senses that yearn for both nostalgia and enthusiasm. Capturing nuance in melodic riffs and tantalizing hooks, the brutality of heavy breakdowns and thundering bass are appreciated ever more as the tracks run their course, leaving listeners ravenous for more. Raw emotions and passion for their craft have given Sydney Fate a strong identity and unique musical footprint right from the starting gate, and give any fans of alternative metal something to look forward to.

Released By: Eclipse Records
Release Date: April 3rd, 2020
Genre: Alternative Metal

Musicians:

  • Bailey Edwards / Vocals
  • Adam Rapado / Vocals
  • Owen Whittaker / Guitar
  • Dominic Evans / Guitar
  • Thomas Atkinson-Turner / Bass
  • Terry Collins / Drums

“Silicon Nitride” Track-listing:

  1. TACENDA
  2. Sound Alive
  3. Falling Forward
  4. Courthouse Problematic
  5. Chelsey Grin
  6. Ocean
  7. Home
  8. Sweet Anticipation
9.0 Excellent

Masterfully capturing the tumultuous tides of the human heart, Sydney Fate make a strong debut which balances the craft of musicianship with unbridled passion. With a mature artistic vision and determination that shines through in heartfelt brilliance, "Silicon Nitride" offers something fresh for fans of alternative metal.

  • Songwriting 9
  • Musicianship 9
  • Originality 8.5
  • Production 9.5
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