SUMO CYCO hailing from Toronto, Canada were formed in 2011. The Canadian outfit that blends so successfully Metal with Punk, Electro, Ska, and a few other elements are back with their third full-length album. After their first two albums "Lost In Cyco City" (2014) and "Opus Mar" (2017), they have been touring extensively and shared the stage with bands like the BUTCHER BABIES, NONPOINT, and JINJER. They got signed by Austrian label Napalm Records last year after being independent for all the years. The release of "Initiation" took them quite a while, but the ever so busy band around front woman Skye Sweetnam did not waste any time and released six songs as singles from their new album already. The album has a playing time of around 45 minutes.

Those who follow SUMO CYCO will have been wondering how much changed their music since signing for a big label. The answer is that there are changes but they are due to their natural evolution as a band. Many of the new songs or elements of them have the typical SUMO CYCO trademark sound, but with further development. It all starts where they left with "Opus Mar", "Love You Wrong" and "Bystander" are SUMO CYCO classics: distorted song structures with lots of changes in rhythm and guitar riffing, breaks, catchy choruses, and Sever`s distinctive vocals combining Metal with Punk and Pop which makes her to such a unique vocalist. Both songs include SUMO CYCO`s typical freshness and dynamics which makes them to such a great live band. I can imagine that "Bystander" becomes a fan favorite.

"Vertigo" and "M.I.A." are among those songs where the experimentation with Pop was perhaps a bit too much. Especially the chorus of "Vertigo" could pave the way for an entry into the Pop charts. Despite that, the song still contains a classical SUMO CYCO break. "M.I.A." is a mix of everything: Pop, Reggae, Ska, Metal guitars, and a lot of sound effects.

Coming back to more SUMO CYCO classics: "Bad News" and "No Surrender". "Bad News" reminds me a lot on the sound from "Lost In Cyco City". The song is relatively simply structured and straightforward, and the chorus is just epic. Sever is here at her very best, giving the track a dynamic Metal/Punk mix which is so much loved by their fans. "No Surrender" follows the same patterns with a simple structure, and a catchy and sing-along chorus. "Bad News" is the latest video release from "Initiation". SUMO CYCO have a lot of creativity when it comes to their videos and "Bad News" is no exception: a lot of cuts, plenty of colorful costumes and make-ups, a bit hectic throughout, and everything is self-made. The YouTube link for "Bad News" is given below.

"Cyclone" has a lot of changes in rhythm, is very hectic overall and integrates a lot of different styles and vibes. I do not want to use the "P" word anymore, but the pre-chorus section with "I can`t help myself I am falling/In a downward spiral I'm falling..." is worth an entry into the charts. "Cyclone" is, however, a Metal dominated song thanks to the cool guitar riffs by MD and the excellent drumming of Matt. "Run With The Giants" was one of the first songs composed for the new album and has everything, the SUMO CYCO fan could ask for in terms of texture, breaks, riffing, and vocals. Beside "Bystander", "Run With The Giants" is probably my favorite on "Initiation".

The final third of "Initiation" is a good mix between experimentation with fitting a lot of styles into the sound and a more traditional SUMO CYCO sound. While "Overdrive" belongs to the former one, "Power & Control" and "This Dance Is Doomed" are part of the latter one. "Power & Control" is a relatively quiet song compared to "This Dance Is Doomed" which has the characteristic twists and turns including a catchy chorus part. One thing have all SUMO CYCO songs in common, Sever has the outstanding vocal talent to give every song freshness, dynamics, a portion of naughtiness, and making them to something special.

"Initiation" is an excellent album that seamlessly continues with the trademark SUMO CYCO sound. The band is not afraid to experiment with their music while maintaining their unique style in combining Metal with Punk, Pop, and other elements. "Initiation" is the result of a mature and sophisticated songwriting. It might not be as light-heartedly and raw as their first two albums, but it clearly shows their development as a band. SUMO CYCO is a very unique band and they have their own character which they prove once again with "Initiation". The album is very well produced. SUMO CYCO have delivered an outstanding piece of music and it is fun listen to it especially during those bad times.