Interview: Syrion (Belgium)
5–7 minutes
The Nwothm
Syrion are a young heavy metal band from Belgium with a clear nod to the early 80s. In this short exchange, they talk lineup, early days, and their first demo release. It’s a quick glimpse into a band stepping onto the scene with energy, attitude, and a growing sense of purpose.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZYhxS1KBVM
Interview
TheNwothm: Hey there Syrion, please introduce the members of the band and where you are from?
Syrion: Colin (vocals) from Buggenhout, Belgium and Siebe (bass), Joris (Drums) and Viktor (guitars) from Lokeren, Belgium
TheNwothm: How did the band first come together? Was it a shared love of Nwobhm, a chance meeting, or something more chaotic?
Syrion: Siebe knew Joris from a local music academy so they started jamming, Viktor knew Siebe from elementary school and he was looking for a band, and Colin originally joined through former guitar player Maxim. In the beginning we didn’t really know what we wanted to play, but overtime we all got into old school heavy/ speed metal from the early to mid 80s.
TheNwothm: Rewind back in time! How did you all get into metal? And what were the first instruments you owned?
Syrion: Most of us got into metal through other genres like the hard rock of the 70s and the thrash metal from the early 80s. We all began with the mainstream but slowly delved deeper and deeper.
TheNwothm: Classic question for you. Who were your idols growing up and they can from metal or outside of music?
Syrion: Colin: Robert Plant and Paul Di’Anno
Viktor: Jimmy Page
Siebe: Steve harris, Lemmy
Joris: John Bonham
TheNwothm: You’ve clearly nailed the look—leather, studs, hi tops, the whole classic arsenal. How much does image matter to Syrion, and what does it say about your identity as a band?
Syrion: We believe that through image you can make clear what your intentions are as a band. It also shows dedication to the genre – but also shows that this isn’t just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle, we dress no different when we go to school for example.
TheNwothm: Belgium has a rich but often overlooked metal history. What parts of your local or national culture have seeped into Syrion’s music or mindset?
Syrion: We are all of course huge fans of the old heavy metal band from Belgium, in particular Ostrogoth and Acid have influenced us greatly. The Belgian beers might have something to do with it as well.
TheNwothm: What’s the metal scene like in your part of Belgium right now? Any venues, bands, or moments that stand out?
Syrion: It’s smaller, but nice. Though we haven’t been too involved yet. This year we had a revival of the legendary Heavy Sound festival, so that was a real standout. Playing in the Music City in Antwerp was very fun, and shows in the Kinkystar in Ghent are always insane.
TheNwothm: Let’s start with your first release: what can you tell us about the demo “Keeper of Souls.” How did it come together, and what does it represent for you?
Syrion: Well, it was recorded almost 2 years ago now. We wrote the songs as we were getting really into the more obscure bands from the 80s. The first song that we ever wrote was “Keeper of Souls.” We were all 16-18 years old at the time, so I think it kind of represents the first checkpoint of our journey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lMf1z4y9e8
heNwothm: Can you give us a run through of the tracks and their stories?
Syrion: “Keeper of Souls” was the first real song we’ve ever written. Although the first versions sound a whole lot different than what we got on the demo. The lyrics are a silent ode to parts of Tolkien’s larger story. Glory is No More was written while jamming in the rehearsal room, again the lyrics can be interpreted as a ode to Tolkien’s work. Enchantress was written when we were really getting into the old school Swedish heavy metal from the early 80s. The lyrics were written after a drunk watch of the 1981 movie Excalibur.
TheNwothm: And where did you put the demo together? Who mixed and produced it?
Syrion: We recorded the entire demo at a PA recording in the Kinky Star in Ghent since we were members of their ‘jongeduld’ program, aimed at helping young bands with all kinds of stuff. So it was also produced and mixed by the coaches that they assign to you, in our case Wietse.
TheNwothm: If Syrion were a medieval warband, who’s wielding the axe, who’s casting spells, and who’s just yelling battle cries?
Colin would be the axewielder, Siebe would definitely be just yelling warcries, and Joris and Viktor would be the spellcasters.
TheNwothm: If you had to swap instruments mid-set, who’s most likely to survive and who’s causing a trainwreck?
Syrion: Since some of us have a background in different instruments, for the most part we’d be fine. I think the most difficult thing would be the vocals and drums, since there are no other singers/ drummers in the band.
TheNwothm: Thinking ahead what is next musically? Are you working on an album or another EP perhaps?
Syrion: We are writing a lot of new material, each new song (in our opinion) better than the last. It will come down to how much money we’ll have when we feel we are ready to record the new material. The new stuff also leans more towards traditional heavy metal with a bit of a different approach to the vocals.
TheNwothm: And what do your touring plans look like for the rest of 2025/ 2026?
Syrion: We currently don’t have any confirmed shows to come, so we will have plenty of time to write new music.
TheNwothm: Is there anywhere you would love to play in particular? Any dream festivals for instance?
Syrion: We think it’s every bands dream to play at Keep It True, Muskelrock would be really cool as well. And of course Belgium’s own Alcatraz would be great.
TheNwothm: How can our readers buy your music and merch?
Syrion: Our new EP ‘Symphony of Horror’ is coming out on cassette through Dying Victims January 23rd, it has just been made available for pre-order. It includes the “Keeper of Souls” demo and two new singles ‘Symphony of Horror’ and ‘Children of The Night’. Merch you can buy at our shows or on our Bandcamp.
TheNwothm: Where can fans follow you online?
Syrion: Instagram, FaceBook and Spotify, just search ‘Syrion’
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575897211544
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syrionbelgium/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTH4E0hUg2Y&list=RDJTH4E0hUg2Y&start_radio=1&pp=ygUZc3lyaW9uIHN5bXBob255IG9mIGhvcnJvcqAHAQ%3D%3D
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