Synthetic Breed - Energy and musical catharsis
Melbourne metal act Synthetic Breed is a band that currently trying to break it in the tough Australian metal scene.
I caught up with lead guitarist and the creative force and visionary of the band, Vincent Zylstra, to discuss the new EP and the bands influences.
When listening to the pounding biomechanical fury that is Synthetic Breed it is easy to draw comparisons to early Fear Factory albums such as Soul of a New Machine however Zylstra claims that they where not an influence on the band.
“It’s funny that you should mention Fear Factories Soul, since it is an album that we do not consider an influence or indeed particularly like,” states Zylstra.
“More of an influence has been bands that are more abstract, but committed to their own artistic style, such as Meshuggah or Devin Townsend’s Infinity.”
However it is not just bands that have inspired Synthetic Breed, with their website (www.synteticbreed.com), claiming artists such as H.R. Giger, Clive Barker and Luis Royo as influences
Zylstra explains how they have shaped the thinking of the band as opposed to the lyrical content of individual songs.
“Gigers biomechanical images have had somewhat of an influence on our visual representations, but the other authors are more inspiring in a holistic artistic sense.”
"Our lyrics are generally more inspired by conceptual or social themes.”
Although gaining recognition in the Australian Metal scene is not easy, something Zylstra blames on the lack of venues, promotion or acknowledgement for upcoming local bands and restrictions on creativity, Synthetic Breed will no doubt be getting more recognition since gaining the chance to support European metal giants Arch Enemy on the Melbourne leg of their up coming tour.
They have also recently been awarded Buzz magazines independent release of 2005, so with these achievements does this mean the band might be getting any closer to signing that elusive record deal?
“Not in Australia, not for want of trying though,” says Zylstra.
“It turns out greatest interest in the band has come from Europe and Asia.
“We have developed very good contacts in Japan, which we are currently pursuing.”
The band is aiming to have a full length album out on a label sometime in 2006 and unfortunately metal fans around most of the country may have to wait until then before they get to see them live with the band only planning on visiting a few cities outside of Melbourne in the near future.
“Tentatively Adelaide and Sydney, but realistically, we need to generate more interest nationally before a fully fledged tour,” says Zylstra.
As with any new band starting out they have also had to make their way to gigs outside of the capital cities, something which has led to Zylstra’s most memorable moment with the band.
“We got a phone call from DJ Debz, who does the big metal shows in Albury NSW asking us to headline,” says Zylsta.
“We had a ball, it’s Jonas hometown and the fuckers up there just went nuts.
“Should be more of it – capital city crowds can learn from the kids up there.”
While most bands would try dominating the local scene before taking on the world, Synthetic Breed seem like a band that have firmly set their goals and know what route they plan to take in order to achieve them.
“Conscious of the fact that it is really difficult for acts to break in Australia, we are actually putting our main effort into international recognition because it is with this that we are more likely to succeed at home.”
Although seeking international success the band are keeping things in perspective with Zylstra claiming their dream gig would be “one that covers more than petrol costs – or, failing that, a European tour would be bearable.”
Like many unsigned bands Synthetic Breed is taking advantage of the internet in order to gain more recognition. So just how important are online music communities such as www.mp3.com.au to unsigned bands in today’s modern industry?
“Very important, of course, they are the best venue for us to network and as such the internet has broken down many communicative barriers,” states Zylstra.
“They have opened up the music scene and created a more level playing field outside the control of major labels.”
So with their EP out and their goals set the only thing left for Synthetic Breed to do is to win over the tough crowds of the Australian metal scene. So what exactly can you expect at a Synthetic Breed gig?
“Energy! Musical catharsis!! To leave the punters saying: “What the fuck was that?”
Synthetic Breed’s EP Fractured is out now.
