Sybreed

Sybreed is a Swiss industrial/groove metal band from Genève, formed in 2003 by guitarist Drop and singer Benjamin Nominet. Its line-up also includes Thomas Betrisey, and the group remains active.

Style and themes

The band builds its sound around industrial metal, cyber metal, melodic death metal, groove metal and djent elements, with a strong electronic component. Its lyrics focus on social misery, everyday alienation and the decay of modern life. Across its releases, Sybreed develops a mix of brutality, melody, clean vocals and mechanical textures.

Releases and development

Sybreed begins with Slave Design, released in 2004, which leads to performances in the United States. The follow-up album, Antares, appears in 2007 on the French label Listenable Records. It draws attention in the metal press and leads to support slots with Pain and a European tour with Samael, followed by an appearance at Metal Camp in Slovenia.

The band then works on a third album that pushes its sound further and is described by the group as “Death Wave”. These sessions produce twelve tracks and bring together more organic and electronic elements. Rhys Fulber handles the mix; his credits include Front Line Assembly, Fear Factory and Paradise Lost. Sybreed later tours North America with Threat Signal in 2009.

Later line-up changes and fourth album

After the North American tour, the band adds bassist Steph, and later bassist Ales joins as the newest member. The Pulse of Awakening follows as the group’s fourth full-length release. In 2013, Benjamin leaves and the band goes on hiatus, but the project remains active according to the current status.

After Sybreed

Following the hiatus, Kevin, Ales and Drop form the band Obsydians in 2014.