This New Sumo Cyco Song is Friggin’ Catchy as Hell

Once upon a time, a friend who is probably reading this right now (hi!) insisted we arrive to a show early to catch the opening band. I won’t say she “dragged me” there early because I was a willing participant: when someone is that enthusiastic about catching an opening band, you listen, ya know?

Since I’m telling this story here you’ve likely already figured out that I absolutely LOVED the band — a groovy, fun metal outfit with subtle ska influences (don’t stop reading, please!) called Sumo Cyco — so much so that I don’t even remember what band headlined that night. And that’s fine. After that it was Sumo Cyco’s show, as far as I’m concerned. It was energetic, powerful, and frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam had the audience GOING, no small feat for the first band of the night. Most of all, it was FUN.

Since then (two-ish years ago?), Sumo Cyco signed to Napalm Records, and they’re now finally set to unveil their debut album for the label, Initiation, in May. Its first single, “Bystander,” has arrived, and…. hooooo boy! This thing is insanely catchy. That bouncy riff, the chorus vocal hook, the groove… the whole damn thing. I’ve only listened to it once so far and that shit is STUCK THE FUCK IN MY HEAD something fierce.

Fiercely independent for years before signing to Napalm, the band continues that streak with their new video, produced entirely by themselves. Sweetnam says of the track:

“‘Bystander’ was inspired by the frustration of our lives turning upside down in this pandemic. I felt like instead of living my life, I was now a slave to a screen, watching the world fall apart right before my eyes, totally helpless. The music video depicts my character trapped in a floating house watching news events taking place on TV, and at the same time, right outside my window. This entire video was produced, filmed and edited by Matt and I in our home studio!”

Watch and listen below. I warned you.

Initiation comes out on May 7 via Napalm; pre-order here.