SUMO CYCO to Support Buckcherry on US Tour + Announces North American Headline Dates!

Beginning April 29 in Des Plaines, IL!

Order SUMO CYCO's Latest Album, Initiation, via Napalm Records HERE

After setting the music world ablaze last year with the release of their mind-bending latest full-length album, Initiation, fans have been chanting for SUMO CYCO to return to the road. Now, their calls have been answered with the announcement of a slew of US and Canadian tour dates, beginning April 29! The first half of the tour sees SUMO CYCO supporting rock icons Buckcherry and special guests Blacktop Mojo, while the second half will feature SUMO CYCO headlining all dates with support from Black Satellite.

Tickets for all dates are on sale Friday, February 25 at 10:00 AM EST. See below for all confirmed shows - several of which see SUMO CYCO returning for their first headliners in cities they appeared in with Jinjer in 2019.

Frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam says about the upcoming tour:

“We are beyond excited to get back out on the road after two years! We feel like it’s about time we reconnect with all of you in person and start the party again! We have the privilege of joining Buckcherry for some dates as well as taking the reins for our first headline shows in many cities. We’re as hungry as the fans are for live music to thrive again. So watch out, we’ll be blaring our Cyco sounds to a city near you!”

SUMO CYCO 2022 Tour Dates:

* = w/ Buckcherry, Blacktop Mojo

4/29/22 - Des Plaines, IL @ Des Plaines Theatre *

4/30/22 – Kansasville, WI @ 1175 *

5/1/22 – Bloomington, IL @ Castle Theatre *

5/3/22 – Indianapolis, IN @ Hi Fi (The Annex) *

5/4/22 – Lexington, KY @ Manchester Music Hall *

5/6/22 - St Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre *

5/7/22 – Flint, MI @ Machine Shop *

5/8/22 – Horseheads, NY @ The L Live *

5/10/22 – Hermon, ME @ Morgan Hill Event Center *

5/11/22 – Portland, ME @ Aura *

5/13/22 – Rochester, NY @ Montage Music Hall *

5/14/22 – Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho *

5/16/22 - Murrells Inlet, SC @ Suck Bang Blow *

5/17/22 - Black Mountain, NC @ Silverados *

5/18/22 – Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre *

5/19/22 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade

5/20/22 – Birmingham, AL @ Iron City *

5/21/22 - Greenville, SC @ Radio Room

5/22/22 - Greensboro, NC @ The Blind Tiger

5/24/22 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Hard Rock Cafe

5/25/22 - Harrisburg, PA @ HMAC

5/26/22 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery

5/27/22 - Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz

5/29/22 - Hampton Beach, NH @ Wallys

5/31/22 - New Bedford, MA @ The Vault

6/1/22 - Montreal, QC @ Turbohaus

6/2/22 - Quebec City, QC @ L'Anti Bar & Spectacles

6/3/22 - Ottawa, ON @ Brass Monkey - REBEL 101.7 FREE SHOW

6/4/22 - Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck

6/6/22 - Buffalo, NY @ Iron Works

6/7/22 - Cleveland, OH @ The Winchester

6/9/22 - Westland, MI @ The Token

6/10/22 - Battle Creek, MI @ Music Factory

6/11/22 - Chicago, IL @ Reggies

About SUMO CYCO and Initiation:

Over the course of the past several years, Ontario, Canada’s SUMO CYCO – featuring teen pop-superstar/songwriter turned rock goddess Skye “Sever” Sweetnam as well as producer/guitarist Matt “MD13” Drake and bassist Oscar Anesetti – have proven themselves as one of the hardest working DIY-to-overnight sensation stories in heavy music, boasting an undeniable following of fans with their impressive mixture of metal, pop and everything in between. Even after garnering early viral acclaim and signing to Napalm Records in 2020, the band's seasoned DIY attitude and self-starting viral savvy continues to propel their creativity at every step, converting audiences all around to their infectious world of sound!

Prior to signing with Napalm Records, SUMO CYCO won awards such as "Best Female-Fronted" band at the Toronto Independent Music Awards, top finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, Indie Week Canada “Best of the Fest” (prize included a trip to play Indie Week Ireland), as well as Best Hard/Loud Recording at the Hamilton Music Awards 2015. The band has shared stages with The Offspring, Coal Chamber, Our Lady Peace, Life of Agony, Hollywood Undead, Jinjer, The Birthday Massacre, Nonpoint, Butcher Babies, and FOZZY to name a few.

After launching their most recent, breakout album Initiation (2021) with the hooky hit "Bystander" (which recently hit the 1 million views mark on YouTube) it was immediately clear that SUMO CYCO is lightning in a bottle. Garnering hundreds of thousands of cross-platform streams and nearly instantaneous, rabid response to their self-produced music videos, the band turned the heads of fans and critics alike! Alternative Press dubbed SUMO CYCO a “New Artist You Need To Hear" and Kerrang called the album "a breathless blur of energy and action”. Revolver praised the band's first single as “...ridiculously catchy..." and SiriusXM's Jose "Metal Ambassador" Mangin, who said "...the chorus will stick in your head for days to come...", went on to feature it on Octane and Liquid Metal. Upon release, the album landed at #1 on both the Canadian and UK iTunes Metal Charts, and within the top 5 in the United States.

Initiation invites a mass of new followers into SUMO CYCO's warped, dystopian-like world of “Cyco City”! As with their prior full-length albums Lost In Cyco City (2014) and Opus Mar (2017), and countless singles, Initiation is based in the imaginative conceptual location of the same name. Last fall, SUMO CYCO took the album a step further and dropped the official Digital Deluxe Edition of Initiation, featuring peppy new single "Sun Eater", plus additional limited edition tracks "New Jive", "We Are The Nation" and "Awakened".

Order Initiation & the Initiation Digital Deluxe Edition HERE

SUMO CYCO Reveal Initiation Digital Deluxe Edition + New Single "Sun Eater"

Heavy Crossover Stars SUMO CYCO Reveal Initiation Digital Deluxe Edition + New Single "Sun Eater"

Watch the New Official Music Video for "Sun Eater" below:

Order the Initiation Digital Deluxe Edition via Napalm Records HERE

After setting the music world ablaze in May with the release of their mind-bending latest full-length album, Initiation, fans instantly clamored for more SUMO CYCO. Those prayers are now answered with the drop of the official Initiation Digital Deluxe Edition! Featuring peppy new single "Sun Eater", plus additional limited edition tracks "New Jive", "We Are The Nation" and "Awakened", the Initiation Digital Deluxe Edition is available today via all digital retailers.

Fans can check out a delightfully demonic new music video for "Sun Eater" now! Seamlessly melding punk, reggae, metal and pop, “Sun Eater” joins the ranks of recent singles like “Bystander”, “Vertigo” and more – all boasting millions of streams/views to date.

Frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam says about the Initiation Digital Deluxe Edition:

"We are ecstatic to get more music out there on the Deluxe Edition of Initiation. We wrote so many songs for Initiation and had some really solid tracks that just didn't make it on the original track listing. We just can't keep them to ourselves."

Skye adds about "Sun Eater":

"When I wrote ‘Sun Eater’ I was contemplating life's big existential questions. No matter what problems we're faced with, we're all just here for a moment spinning warp speed through space. When one starts thinking of the big picture, it can also make our everyday problems seem more insignificant. I sing about my inner demons very often in my music, when comparing those demons to a massive Sun Eating monster of the universe, it really is no match. So, the song is really about seizing the day, because it really is crazy that we even exist.

For the video, I wanted to try some 2D animation inspired by Monty Python and some of my favorite movie and TV opening title sequences. I wanted to inject lots of our signature colour but simple compositions of each frame keeping it all very stark and contrasted. In the video, I have created an alter dimensional clinic where my demons are waiting for a cure. I also introduce the mad Nurse who only prescribes one type of pill for everything. A gold pill that harnesses the sun."

SUMO CYCO's Initiation invites a mass of new followers into their warped, dystopian-like world of “Cyco City”! As with its predecessors Lost In Cyco City (2014), Opus Mar (2017) and countless singles, Initiation is based in the imaginative conceptual location of “Cyco City”. But unlike most concept albums, the lyrical content is inspired by the band’s real-time environment – featuring timely, personal themes of love, sacrifice, anxiety, empowerment and more that all listeners can relate to. By the end of Initiation, listeners will wonder just what exactly SUMO CYCO can’t do, proving them as a band on the rise, and that unconventionality always stands out from the pack.

Order Initiation Digital Deluxe Edition HERE

Want more Initiation? Check out available standard physical editions HERE:

[LP Gatefold Orange Vinyl] [CD Digipack]

SUMO CYCO is:

Skye “Sever” Sweetnam – vocals

Matt “MD13” Drake – lead guitar

Matt "Trozzi" – drums

Oscar Anesetti – bass

Heavy Rock Favorites SUMO CYCO Drop Addictive New Anthem "Vertigo" + Official Music Video

New Album, Initiation, out May 7, 2021 via Napalm Records

Pre-Order HERE

Canadian alt-metal/heavy rock crossover stars SUMO CYCO will drop their unstoppable upcoming full-length album, Initiation, on May 7, 2021 via Napalm Records! The band has proven undeniably potent with the breakout success of their two recent singles, "No Surrender" and "Bystander", with the latter garnering over 100,000 YouTube views in just four days and impacting at #10 on SiriusXM Liquid Metal's "Devil's Dozen".

Today, SUMO CYCO have dropped their most addictive anthem yet - the Kane Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, In This Moment, Papa Roach) produced hit-in-the-making, "Vertigo". It's clear within moments that "Vertigo" is an electrifying standout, connecting like a sucker punch as soon as its electro-laced intro breaks into the first verse, and standing tall with its airtight, heavy pop-influenced sensibility.

Skye “Sever” Sweetnam says about “Vertigo”, its accompanying video, and working with Kane Churko:

"'Vertigo' was written pre-pandemic, but it’s crazy how we have been living through some of the most disorienting times in our lives. 'Vertigo' is all about trying to hold onto your sanity and self against any outside force.

Having Kane Churko produce and co-write with us on this track was a great experience. We typically do everything at our home studio, so hanging in Vegas at the amazing Hideout Recording studio put us in a fresh new mindset to create.

The music video contains one of the most elaborate sets we’ve worked on. I guess collecting so much junk over the years has paid off! Come choose your poison and start the INITIATION!"

SUMO CYCO's Initiation invites a mass of new followers into their warped, dystopian-like world of “Cyco City”! As with its predecessors Lost In Cyco City (2014), Opus Mar (2017) and countless singles, Initiation is based in the imaginative conceptual location of “Cyco City”. But unlike most concept albums, the lyrical content is inspired by the band’s real-time environment – featuring timely, personal themes of love, sacrifice, anxiety, empowerment and more that all listeners can relate to.

Sweetnam adds about the album:

The album’s title, Initiation, stems from wanting to invite the audience to be “initiated” into our world. There are usually two congruent themes to each of our albums – one is real-world inspiration, and the other is “Cyco City”, a comic book-esque alternate universe where all our music videos take place. With Initiation, we introduce four gangs or clubs. Our music videos for Initiation all include a theme of these clubs – whether it’s gang vs. gang, a forbidden love between opposing sides, or the idea of having to choose where you belong.

Outside of the story, the lyrics relate to the polarization of the world we live in now. We all have a longing to belong, but what makes one feel accepted or ostracized from a group? To be INITIATED, would you be willing to try to understand another point of view? I have always written lyrics about internal struggle, the war within oneself. Throughout the album, we bounce back and forth between struggle and overcoming. It reflects the times, and there are moments that seem a bit dark.”

Pre-order Initiation HERE

At the album’s start, SUMO CYCO lights a spark with the seductively hooked track “Love You Wrong”, connecting like a punch and setting the stage for the vigor to come. The blitz continues with standouts like lethal room-mover “Bystander” and electronic-infused, in-your-face rock anthem “Vertigo” – the latter standing tall with its airtight, gritty pop sensibility and featuring the production mastery of Juno Award-winning producer Kane Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, In This Moment, Papa Roach). Swiftly followed by erratic, addictive nod-to-the-times “Bad News” and heavy, creeping success “No Surrender”, Initiation proves not even halfway through that the band’s songwriting ability and the commanding performance prowess frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam, guitarist Matt “MD13” Drake, bassist Oscar Anesetti and drummer Matt "Trozzi" blend a recipe for greatness. The album continues winding through a mastery of heavy-meets-pop execution before ending with the full-throttle, sugar n’ salt packed album closer “This Dance Is Doomed” (while various editions cap off with sultry, confident “Awakened”).

By the end of Initiation, listeners will wonder just what exactly SUMO CYCO can’t do, proving them as a band on the rise, and that unconventionality always stands out from the pack.

*Various new tracks, such as “New Jive” and “We Are The Nation” are available in different groupings on various formats of Initiation (i.e. Die Hard Limited Edition).

Initiation will be available in North America in the following formats:

- Digital Album

- CD Digipak

- LP Gatefold Orange Vinyl

- Die Hard Limited Edition: LP Gatefold Purple/Yellow/Pink Inkspot Vinyl + 7” Orange Transparent Vinyl Single w/ Two Bonus Tracks + Signed Photo (Napalm Mailorder only – limited to 300 worldwide)

Die Hard Limited Edition: LP Gatefold Purple/Yellow/Pink Inkspot Vinyl + 7” Orange Transparent Vinyl Single w/ Two Bonus Tracks + Signed Photo (Napalm Mailorder only – limited to 300 worldwide)

SUMO CYCO is:

Skye “Sever” Sweetnam – vocals

Matt “MD13” Drake – lead guitar

Matt "Trozzi" – drums

Oscar Anesetti – bass

Hard Rock Crossover Favorites SUMO CYCO Reveal Striking New Anthem "No Surrender"

Unstoppable New Album, Initiation, out May 7, 2021 via Napalm Records

Pre-Order HERE

Canadian alt-metal/hard rock crossover stars SUMO CYCO recently announced the highly anticipated release of their upcoming full-length album, Initiation, out May 7, 2021 via Napalm Records. Interlaced with infectious heavy metal grooves, pop-perfected hooks, electronic undertones and a dose of punk flavor, Initiation breaks all the rules while delivering a cohesive yet purely unbridled sonic adventure.

SUMO CYCO's explosive first single/video, "Bystander", burst with attention upon its release in mid-February, garnering over 100,000 YouTube views in just four days! Now, the multi-faceted musical powerhouse has returned with another single - the chaotic, sauntering "No Surrender". Packing a punch with pop star-turned-rock frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam's dynamic vocal delivery and an impassioned, riffy chorus, the track coincides with an introspective music video.

Skye “Sever” Sweetnam says about “No Surrender” and its video:

“'No Surrender' is about the struggle to be your authentic self, living your truth and battling inner demons. The music video depicts four characterized versions of myself representing different sides of my personality and how I see myself. They’re lurking in the darkness over my shoulder, always questioning each other’s decisions.

The song is written from the perspective of the voice or voices in my head. Telling me to run one moment and another to hold my ground and another to fight back. In between some epic rocking out with the band, I wanted the viewers to visualize the colorful juxtaposition that goes on in my mind.”

Watch the intense new music video for “No Surrender”

SUMO CYCO's Initiation invites a mass of new followers into their warped, dystopian-like world of “Cyco City”! As with its predecessors Lost In Cyco City (2014), Opus Mar (2017) and countless singles, Initiation is based in the imaginative conceptual location of “Cyco City”. But unlike most concept albums, the lyrical content is inspired by the band’s real-time environment – featuring timely, personal themes of love, sacrifice, anxiety, empowerment and more that all listeners can relate to.

Sweetnam adds about the album:

The album’s title, Initiation, stems from wanting to invite the audience to be “initiated” into our world. There are usually two congruent themes to each of our albums – one is real-world inspiration, and the other is “Cyco City”, a comic book-esque alternate universe where all our music videos take place. With Initiation, we introduce four gangs or clubs. Our music videos for Initiation all include a theme of these clubs – whether it’s gang vs. gang, a forbidden love between opposing sides, or the idea of having to choose where you belong.

Outside of the story, the lyrics relate to the polarization of the world we live in now. We all have a longing to belong, but what makes one feel accepted or ostracized from a group? To be INITIATED, would you be willing to try to understand another point of view? I have always written lyrics about internal struggle, the war within oneself. Throughout the album, we bounce back and forth between struggle and overcoming. It reflects the times, and there are moments that seem a bit dark.”

Pre-order Initiation HERE

At the album’s start, SUMO CYCO lights a spark with the seductively hooked track “Love You Wrong”, connecting like a punch and setting the stage for the vigor to come. The blitz continues with standouts like lethal room-mover “Bystander” and electronic-infused, in-your-face rock anthem “Vertigo” – the latter standing tall with its airtight, gritty pop sensibility and featuring the production mastery of Juno Award-winning producer Kane Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, In This Moment, Papa Roach). Swiftly followed by erratic, addictive nod-to-the-times “Bad News” and heavy, creeping success “No Surrender”, Initiation proves not even halfway through that the band’s songwriting ability and the commanding performance prowess frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam, guitarist Matt “MD13” Drake, bassist Oscar Anesetti and drummer Matt "Trozzi" blend a recipe for greatness. The album continues winding through a mastery of heavy-meets-pop execution before ending with the full-throttle, sugar n’ salt packed album closer “This Dance Is Doomed” (while various editions cap off with sultry, confident “Awakened”).

By the end of Initiation, listeners will wonder just what exactly SUMO CYCO can’t do, proving them as a band on the rise, and that unconventionality always stands out from the pack.

Initiation will be available in North America in the following formats:

- Digital Album

- CD Digipak

- LP Gatefold Orange Vinyl

- Die Hard Limited Edition: LP Gatefold Purple/Yellow/Pink Inkspot Vinyl + 7” Orange Transparent Vinyl Single w/ Two Bonus Tracks + Signed Photo (Napalm Mailorder only – limited to 300 worldwide)

Die Hard Limited Edition: LP Gatefold Purple/Yellow/Pink Inkspot Vinyl + 7” Orange Transparent Vinyl Single w/ Two Bonus Tracks + Signed Photo (Napalm Mailorder only – limited to 300 worldwide)

SUMO CYCO is:

Skye “Sever” Sweetnam – vocals

Matt “MD13” Drake – lead guitar

Matt "Trozzi" – drums

Oscar Anesetti – bass

Canadian Alt-Metal Favorites SUMO CYCO to Release New Album, Initiation, on May 7, 2021 via Napalm Records

Pre-Order HERE

Watch the Energetic Music Video for Brand New Single “Bystander”

Canadian alt-metal crossover stars SUMO CYCO are about to transcend into an explosive new era with their upcoming full-length, Initiation, scheduled for release on May 7, 2021 via Napalm Records! Interlaced with infectious heavy metal grooves, pop-perfected hooks, electronic undertones and a dose of punk flavor, Initiation breaks all the rules while delivering a cohesive yet purely unbridled sonic adventure.

SUMO CYCO has cemented their name by garnering an impressive legion of fans with their hardworking attitude and storybuilding prowess. With Initiation, SUMO CYCO takes it to a whole new level – demonstrated by their new single, “Bystander”! Crowned by expert, airtight vocal domination from Juno-nominated pop star-turned-rock frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam, the track features an aggressive, fast-paced attack of low, grooving metal riffage, relentless drums and slinking electronic accents. Its accompanying music video reflects the track’s energetic, chaotic vibe with sharp, vivid visuals. Don’t just be a bystander, check it out now!

Frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam says about “Bystander” and its video:

“‘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!”

Initiation invites a mass of new followers into their warped, dystopian-like world of “Cyco City”! As with its predecessors Lost In Cyco City (2014), Opus Mar (2017) and countless singles, Initiation is based in the imaginative conceptual location of “Cyco City”. But unlike most concept albums, the lyrical content is inspired by the band’s real-time environment – featuring timely, personal themes of love, sacrifice, anxiety, empowerment and more that all listeners can relate to.

Sweetnam adds about the album:

The album’s title, Initiation, stems from wanting to invite the audience to be “initiated” into our world. There are usually two congruent themes to each of our albums – one is real-world inspiration, and the other is “Cyco City”, a comic book-esque alternate universe where all our music videos take place. With Initiation, we introduce four gangs or clubs. Our music videos for Initiation all include a theme of these clubs – whether it’s gang vs. gang, a forbidden love between opposing sides, or the idea of having to choose where you belong.

Outside of the story, the lyrics relate to the polarization of the world we live in now. We all have a longing to belong, but what makes one feel accepted or ostracized from a group? To be INITIATED, would you be willing to try to understand another point of view? I have always written lyrics about internal struggle, the war within oneself. Throughout the album, we bounce back and forth between struggle and overcoming. It reflects the times, and there are moments that seem a bit dark.”

Pre-order Initiation HERE

At the album’s start, SUMO CYCO lights a spark with the seductively hooked track “Love You Wrong”, connecting like a punch and setting the stage for the vigor to come. The blitz continues with standouts like lethal room-mover “Bystander” and electronic-infused, in-your-face rock anthem “Vertigo” – the latter standing tall with its airtight, gritty pop sensibility and featuring the production mastery of Juno Award-winning producer Kane Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, In This Moment, Papa Roach). Swiftly followed by erratic, addictive nod-to-the-times “Bad News” and heavy, creeping success “No Surrender”, Initiation proves not even halfway through that the band’s songwriting ability and the commanding performance prowess frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam, guitarist Matt “MD13” Drake, bassist Oscar Anesetti and drummer Matt "Trozzi" blend a recipe for greatness. The album continues winding through a mastery of heavy-meets-pop execution before ending with the full-throttle, sugar n’ salt packed album closer “This Dance Is Doomed” (while various editions cap off with sultry, confident “Awakened”).

By the end of Initiation, listeners will wonder just what exactly SUMO CYCO can’t do, proving them as a band on the rise, and that unconventionality always stands out from the pack.

Initiation tracklisting:*

1) Love You Wrong

2) Bystander

3) Vertigo

4) Bad News

5) No Surrender

6) M.I.A.

7) Cyclone

8) Run with the Giants

9) Overdrive

10) Power & Control

11) This Dance Is Doomed

12) Awakened (not available on standard digital version)

*Various new tracks, such as “New Jive” and “We Are The Nation” are available in different groupings on various formats of Initiation (i.e. Die Hard Limited Edition).

Initiation will be available in North America in the following formats:

- Digital Album

- CD Digipak

- LP Gatefold Orange Vinyl

- Die Hard Limited Edition: LP Gatefold Purple/Yellow/Pink Inkspot Vinyl + 7” Orange Transparent Vinyl Single w/ Two Bonus Tracks + Signed Photo (Napalm Mailorder only – limited to 300 worldwide)

Die Hard Limited Edition: LP Gatefold Purple/Yellow/Pink Inkspot Vinyl + 7” Orange Transparent Vinyl Single w/ Two Bonus Tracks + Signed Photo (Napalm Mailorder only – limited to 300 worldwide)

SUMO CYCO is:

Skye “Sever” Sweetnam – vocals

Matt “MD13” Drake – lead guitar

Matt "Trozzi" – drums

Oscar Anesetti – bass

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