Sybreed [SWITZERLAND]

Published 14 February 2012 in BMA Magazine

In 2003, vocalist Benjamin Nominet and guitarist Thomas ‘Drop’ Betrisey joined forces to create something fresh and completely unique in Geneva, Switzerland. Under the name SYBREED, Ben and Drop infused elements of extreme and progressive metal styles with sampling and programming, synthesized melodies and groovy rhythms. Throughout their three full length albums (Slave Design in 2004, Antares in 2007, The Pulse of Awakening in 2009) and two EPs (2009’s A.E.O.N and 2011’s Challenger), the four-piece (including drummer Kevin Choiral and bass guitarist Ales Campanelli) have musically explored conceptions of the human condition, nihilistic philosophy and the questioning of morality. Their talent at the instruments they play only adds force behind the words and evocative soundscapes.

Sybreed have shared stages worldwide with bands such as Samael, Gothminister, Threat Signal, Fear Factory and In Flames (who are also playing a show here in Canberra), but their position on the Chaos A.C.T. VI line-up and the tour of the rest of Australia that follows is a relatively new experience for the band.

“Considering that the winter is hitting us badly now and that we’re freezing like hell, we’re surely looking forward to the hot weather,” says Ben (though someone might want to show him records of Canberra’s weather lately!). “The travel over there itself is a big adventure and an exciting experience for us, for this will be our first headlining tour so far away from Europe. We’re looking forward to seeing the whole country, to meeting our Australian fans and even to being chased by those aggressive kinds of spiders you have over there!”

In the beginning, punters in Switzerland didn’t take too kindly to Sybreed’s early live performances. “At that time, the whole scene was dominated by musicians trying to emulate bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan and Neurosis and the whole post-hardcore scene because it looked ‘cool’,” Ben explains. “So metal in general was considered as the most cheesy form of music and it wasn’t very fashionable to play. We had a hard time back then, but thankfully things have evolved and the scene is getting better and better with many musicians now focusing on creating good music, whatever genre it is, and less on what is trendy or cool.”

So far, the band is in the middle of recording their new album God in an Automaton, which is due in stores sometime this year. “There’s still a lot of work to do, but we are already quite happy with how it sounds,” Ben says. “I won’t say much more for I don’t like spoiling people’s pleasure in discovering a release, but there’s a clear and deep post-humanist theme that all the songs revolve around. It’s very futuristic and very dark.”

Sybreed are headlining Chaos A.C.T. VI on Saturday March 3 at The Green Room at The Tradies Club in Woden, with local and interstate guests Alarum, Aeon of Horus, Elysian and more. Tickets cost $35 + bf and are available through Moshtix.