BIOGRAPHY
Synthetic is the brainchild of two childhood friends whose creative spirit and passion for heavy metal music never went to hibernation despite the long term hiatus of their previous band (Dimensional Traces). In 2014, old time buddies and band mates, Simon (guitars) and Sterge B (vocals), felt the urge to be creative again, just to have a bit of fun and a break from life’s realities. Dispersed in the two opposite ends of Europe, Simon based in Thessaloniki, Greece had just written a piano-laden intro for a potential new track which he enthusiastically shared via email with Sterge B who was situated in Cambridge, UK. Fourteen years after their last live performance together as band mates, that day marked the rebirth of Simon’s and Sterge B’s musical symbiosis. What initially started as a speculative music project amongst two friends back in 2014, eventually evolved into the visionary, melodic heavy metal band Synthetic and delivered the ambitious and hopefully critically acclaimed debut album ‘Here Lies The Truth’.
Synthetic was initially aimed to be a studio band and during the album making process worked closely with friend and accomplished musician Thanasis Lightbridge (Dol Ammad, Dol Theta, Dol Kruug) who recorded all the drum (except on track Hollow) and keyboard parts as well as designed several unique electronic effects. The involvement of Thanassis Lightbridge was catalytic to Synthetic’s overall sound texture and atmosphere.
One of the most remarkable milestones during the making of ‘Here Lies The Truth’ was the involvement of the mighty Dirk Verbeuren of Soilwork on the album’s radio friendly track ‘Hollow’. Synthetic were also fortunate enough to work closely with Ettore Rigotti of Disarmonia Mundi at the mixing and mastering stages as well as parts of the recording process, the artwork was maded by Tolaz (C).
It was only towards the end phases of the mixing process when Simon and Sterge B actually realised the potential of the tracks and decided to form a full band in Cambridge, UK with the view to make Synthetic a live act and an active member of the global metal community.
In November 2015, Synthetic kicked off the recruitment process and in December 2015, multi-instrumentalist, heavy metal ‘geek’ and Cambridge, UK native Hallam Smith joined the band to shred on guitar alongside Simon. A day later, the Chicago born and old-school metal ‘junky’ Chris Cassidy joined on bass guitar whilst also generously offering his well-sharpened vocal chords to support Sterge B’s harmonies on stage.
In January 2016, the UK born of Spanish and Italian descent living drum machine Joe Ricciardi assumed the leadership of Synthetic’s demanding rhythm section. For the record, that piano-laden intro that Simon wrote back in 2014 and sparked the beginning of Synthetic’s journey, is now known as ‘Forgiveness’, the album’s 9th track.
Their music is an eclectic mix of Classic and Scandinavian metal with a hint of Progressive and some American groove style. The band is currently busy practising and promoting the album hoping to hit the stages worldwide very soon.
Formed In: 2013
Status: Active
Years Active: 2013-Present
Sterge B. - Vocals
Simon Charkas - Guitars
Hallam Smith - Guitars
Chris Cassidy - Bass
Joe Ricciardi - Drums
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Location: Cambridge, England
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Current Label: Unsigned/Independent
Booking/Press Contact: hail@syntheticband.com
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/syntheticmetal
Here Lies the Truth (Full-Length Album - 2016)
Released March 5, 2016
Buy It Via:
CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/synthetic3
