SFTHU Quick Reviews: Sykofant - "Leaves"

 

photo credit: Thomas Ellefsrud 

Sykofant is a progressive rock band from Oslo who has made an appearance here on Screaming from the Heavy Underground a few times...once in 2024 when they released their self-titled debut album, and again in 2025 with their EP Red Sun. Now, Sykofant is back with Leaves, the conclusion to the two-part saga that began on Red Sun. 

Sykofant - Leaves

While Red Sun takes the listener along on a strenuous journey over harsh landscapes that brings about trippy, dreamlike interludes throughout, Leaves focuses on the less-often explored story of what comes after the adventure. In this case, it's a very personal and emotional undertaking that follows the protagonist through "reflection, movement, and transformation". While much softer overall than their previous works, Leaves still makes brilliant use of Sykofant's storytelling abilities. More specifically, the EP is marked by light and airy, scene-building respites, soothing, mellifluous vocals and harmonies that empathetically crescendo along with the tale's emotions, peaks of intensity that often include wailing guitars a steadfast anchor of bass, and frenetic drumming that emulates a quickening heartbeat. Leaves isn't overly serious, however; Sykofant manages to sneak some of their trademark surprises into the EP's flow, including a bit of cool funkiness. 

This three-track EP begins with two primarily instrumental songs that serve to set the scene of a lush forest before embarking upon a gritty groove. These songs are a backdrop to a rollercoaster ride of emotions that begins as the main character mentally processes his past adventures. On the third and final track, a sixteen-minute epic titled Heart of the Woods, this undertaking culminates in deep introspection, metamorphosis, resolution, and personal triumph, all of which can be heard in Sykofant's cinematic sound. 

In a nutshell, Leaves delivers a powerful end to an engrossing tale, and, true to form, Sykofant leaves no stone unturned in their sharply empathetic, evocative rendition. 

 

  More About Sykofant

Sykofant is:

Emil Moen - Guitar, Voclas

Melvin Treider - Drums

Per Semb - Guitar

Sindre Haugen - Bass 

You can follow Sykofant and listen to their music at the following links:

• Bandcamp
  
• Spotify
  
• Official Website
  
• Instagram
  
• Facebook
  

A massive thank you to the band for the promo!