Syntara: You Felt Like Heaven
Simultaneously releasing their debut EP, ‘You Felt Like Heaven’, alongside their biggest headline show, there is certainly no holding back from UK based melodic metalcore band Syntara.
Relativity and empathy are two of the greatest gifts music provides us with. Happy? There’s a song for it. Sad? There’s a song for it. Appreciate a fast-food franchise? You’ve guessed it, there’s a song for it. Going through a break up? You’re certainly not going to be short of them, but this one is a little more specific. You need that track that’s going to hit, and reach the places therapy can’t. ‘You Felt Like Heaven’ is the friend who knows exactly what you’re going through. Reflecting feelings that we have all felt, this four-part EP accompanies you on that journey.
Acknowledging the need for cathartic release, ‘Haze’ takes you by the hand and grants you that permission. Rising, pleading vocals that support the familiar feeling of “just another night of grinding teeth again”, a cinematic feel is created and captures the enormity of the wave that riles inside of you in the early stages of this grief.
Although this is a very deep and moving piece, there is an overall vibe of warm summer evenings and quiet reflection to the EP, so its not all heavy feels. ‘Beautiful Debris’ comes in gentle but powerful. A little more strength is felt here. The crash of drums and guitars generate the dramatic chaos of emotion that broils within and personifies the accompanying lyrics “these idol hands hold on to you and I’ll just repeat the cycle”.
A turn of the tides comes abrupt and sharp with ‘Home is Where the Heartache is’. Exploding metallic riffs command space for the pain-laden vocals of Matthew Ellis. Weighted pace in delivery conveys acceptance and the strength required to do so. Low toned, bold breakdowns feel like the walls are caving in around you but you are standing strong, rising with the soaring vocals and setting the boundary: “I can’t keep waiting”.
If there was any doubt about the tides turning, ‘Fair-Weather’ arrives to reassure you. Lively and vibrant, this is the track that will have you jumping around and banging your head. Vocal dominant segments drive home the gravity of the theme, and is repeated here for this potent effect. The swell of energy created by the cinematic sonics and topped with the first coarse scream and serrated delivery of lyrics by Matthew is the force you need to feel empowered.
Reclaiming power is a certainty, but we all know there is much more to the story than that. Alongside the tease of heaviness the band is capable and willing to provide, leads me to believe this is only part of the whole picture. Heavier sounds and deeper lyrics on the horizon? I hope so!
You can catch the EP from 02 May 2026, along with their live performance at Manchester Academy.