Sonic Syndicate

Sonic Syndicate

Sonic Syndicate are a Swedish melodic death metal and metalcore band from Falkenberg, active with a career that begins in 2002. They first form under the name Fallen Angels, with Richard, Roger and Robin Sjunnesson among the founding members, and later become known for a sound shaped by Swedish bands such as In Flames and Soilwork.

Early releases and label signing

Before adopting the Sonic Syndicate name in 2005, the band records three demos: Fall from Heaven, Black Lotus and Extinction. After the name change, they sign to Pivotal Rockordings and release their debut album, Eden Fire. They then tour with Avatar, Himsa and Amon Amarth before entering a Nuclear Blast Records contest and emerging as one of the winners, which leads to a recording contract with the label.

Nuclear Blast era

Working at Black Lounge Studios with producer Jonas Kjellgren, who is also known as the guitarist for Scar Symmetry, Sonic Syndicate release Only Inhuman. The album includes the single “Denied”, which is followed by a video directed by Patric Ullaeus. Under Nuclear Blast, Richard and Roland also contribute to the Nuclear Blast Allstar album track “Out of the Dark”, alongside singers including Anders Fridén of In Flames and Björn Strid of Soilwork.

The band play Wacken Open Air Festival in 2007 and other European festivals, tour the United States with Amon Amarth in winter 2007, take part in the Darkness over X-Mas Tour with Caliban and Heaven Shall Burn, and tour extensively across Europe with Dark Tranquillity and Soilwork. In 2008 they support Nightwish in America. Their third album, Love and Other Disasters, begins recording in March 2008 and is released later that year on Nuclear Blast. Its singles include “Jack of Diamonds”, “My Escape”, “Power Shift” and “Contradiction”, with Patric Ullaeus directing the videos for “Jack of Diamonds”, “My Escape” and “Power Shift”.

Line-up changes and later albums

Roland leaves in 2009, and Nathan James Biggs, formerly of The Hollow Earth Theory, joins as clean vocalist. The band later takes a break after summer 2011. They reunite for a co-headlining appearance at Vekeri Fesztival in Hungary in 2012, after which Roger Sjunnesson leaves the group. From that point, the band continues with only Robin handling guitar duties.

The hiatus ends in 2013 and work begins on a new album. The self-titled Sonic Syndicate album is released in 2014, with Björn Strid of Soilwork guesting on “Before You Finally Break”. The first single, “Black Hole Halo”, appears with a lyric video on Nuclear Blast’s YouTube channel. In 2015 Karin Axelsson leaves and is replaced by Michel Bärzén on bass. The next album, Confessions, follows in 2016.

Members

At different points the band includes Nathan James Biggs on vocals, Roger Sjunnesson on lead guitar and main composition, Robin Sjunnesson on rhythm guitar and background vocals, John Bengtsson on drums and percussion, and Karin Axelsson on bass guitar and background vocals. Former members include Richard Sjunnesson on vocals and lyrics, Roland Johansson on vocals, Kristoffer Bäcklund on drums, percussion and vocals, Andreas Mårtensson on keyboards, and Magnus Svensson on bass.

Discography

Their albums are Eden Fire, Only Inhuman, Love and Other Disasters, We Rule the Night, Sonic Syndicate and Confessions. Their singles include “Soulstone Splinter”, “Denied”, “Enclave”, “Jack of Diamonds”, “My Escape”, “Power Shift”, “Contradiction”, “Burn This City”, “Revolution, Baby”, “My Own Life” and “Turn It Up”.