The Synics Awakening

Staff Writer | FlipSidePA

A newcomer to the Christian metal scene, The Synics Awakening is quickly making a name for itself. The Gettysburg-based band recently celebrated its first year and has already been signed to two record labels, released an album and had songs hit the local airwaves.

Within a week of the band posting some of their music online, they were approached by four different labels. The group signed May 18 with Sullen Records, an indie label from California City, Calif., that has global distribution.

Then on Sept. 30, The Synics Awakening signed on with Unblack Metal Scene, another indie label, from Riverside, Calif., to double the group's promotion.

Its debut album, "The Dawn of Vengeance," is based heavily on Scripture.

"They're just simple messages from the Bible that deal with today," said the band's founder, Kristian McKinney, aka Kristian. McKinney leads the instrumentation on the album, with Alexander Djalal aka Reza, as vocalist. Other band members include Tom Gouker, aka Goukr, on rhythm guitar and Jay McDougle, aka Dahnte, on keyboard.

The Synics Awakening's first single, "Spellbound" (the second track on the album), draws from passages in the book of Job. The song is about being trapped by Satan, as summed up in the chorus: "Our faith in God will be our only way out our only way from becoming spellbound."

The album's title track is based on Revelation 20, which prophesies the defeat of Satan and the final judgment during the End Times.

Beyond the lyrics, the band also puts its faith in action by donating a portion of album and merchandise sales to charity. Its music is described as divine black metal, combining throaty vocals and dynamic drum-beats with symphonic elements. Its sound is similar to Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Divine Symphony, Wintersoul and Slechtvalk.

The Synics Awakening kicked off the countdown to Loud with Dirty Dan on 105.7 FM The X of Harrisburg with its song "Spellbound" in July.

A couple of Christian metal Internet radio stations and podcast stations have also picked up on the group's music, including the Cross Stream Radio, Untombed Radio and Metal for Christ.

The band is in the process of writing a full-length second album.

- MARCUS RAUHUT, FOR FLIPSIDE

Join the band

The Synics Awakening is still looking for a drummer and bass player. Anyone interested can e-mail thesynicsawakening@yahoo.com or call 688-4455.

Online

For details about The Synics Awakening, visit www.myspace.com/thesynicsawakening.

Check out the band's album at www.divinemetaldistro.com.