Those of the Stoner persuasion will no doubt be aware of the power trio Syncolima. Comprising seasoned musicians who know their onions, the three-piece who lurk in the Nottinghamshire borders are now well-established in the UK scene.
Syncolima – Move Mountains
Release Date: 5 September 2025
Words: Paul Hutchings
Formed as they say, in the wake of a plague, the band roared out of the pandemic with debut album Where The End Meets The Beginning in 2021 and followed it up with the improved second release Wavelengths in 2023.
If one word could cover both releases, it would be ‘RIFFS’, for this is something that these boys really do have in abundance.
Now the trio are back with album number three, Move Mountains. It’s more of the same, but with a different spin and edge to it. Guitarist Josh Morgan, who also has the gritty, smoky vocals, bassist Chris ‘Stoff’ Daughton, and drummer Harry Redfern (who has replaced Gazz Evans since Wavelengths) do what they do best, packing as much of a punch as they can in under 40 minutes. 
There is a new, heavier drive to the band’s sound, from the thunderous opener Gluten Free Toast that sees Stoff’s bass lines raging, through to the reflective closer The House We Build which provides a measured yet still psychedelic approach.
Syncolima have upped their game, turned everything up to 11 and cranked out even more riffs.
To be honest, you must have no pulse if you do not want to get up and dance to the groove of Gluten Free Toast. It is a rabble-rousing anthem that kicks things off with a funky style that catches you with a deep hook and refuses to let go. In fact, the more you play it, the deeper you get locked into the groove.
It’s not just Stoner here though. Syncolima throw in bits of prog and grunge, creating a heady cocktail that just demands plays. It is designed to be played loud, to make the doors rattle and the neighbours twitch behind the nets.
Behind it all, though, is the power of that riff, something that has driven the members of this band for many years.
There is not a bad track on Move Mountains. Shipwrecked is surely a sing-along song in the making, whilst the groove-soaked stomp of Black Dog And The Bleak Sky, which was the second single released last month, gets you nodding along whether you like it or not.
Every song is constructed with the engine room of Stoff and Harry giving it large, allowing Josh’s excellent vocals and guitar work to shine. It is never overstated. This is humble, organic music that works on every level.
Sludgy Kill All The Billionaires is massive, echoes of early Mastodon amongst the many influences that roar out of the speaker, whilst Ouroboros is almost alt-rock by comparison. They both work. The latter would fit in the likes of Arctangent, whilst Kill All The Billionaires would stir those souls who head for Damnation Festival in November.
They may remain under the radar, but their hard work is paying off. On Move Mountains, Syncolima have stepped up another level.
Now, lads, get some gigs down South, please!
Syncolima release Move Mountains on 5 September 2025. Pre-orders are available from the band’s Bandcamp page. You can find out more about Syncolima by visiting linktr.ee/syncolima.
Syncolima have an album release show at Billy Bootleggers, Nottingham, on 6 September 2025. Tickets are available from here.
