EP Review: Catalysis - Serpentine
Reviewed by Oli Gonzalez
Catalysis. Born in Dundee almost ten years ago, the groove-thrash metal crossover band have forged a soldi reputation north of the border, with an electrifying stage show that’s earned them slots of festivals like Bloodstock Open Air and Call Of The Wild, as well as headline shows up and down the UK.
It’s no secret for the band’s admiration for Chimaira and the influence the legendary band have had on their sound. Catalysis capture that early 00s metal sound to a tee, but doesn’t feel like a cheap rip off or imitation of their ideals sound too. Throughout “Serpentine”, you’ll be introduced to a potent cocktail of tightly-packed dense riffs ranging from slow and bludgeoning to those that are all an all out balls-to-the-wall frenzy!
There’s an undeniable primitive hardcore edge to the music which is underlined by Andrew Downie’s fierce vocal delivery that’s dripping in primitive angst, perhaps best illustrated in ‘Deathblow’. The similarity to Mark Hunter is uncanny, but again definitely not a poor imitation. He’s backed up admirably by his band mates, especially during the chorus for ‘Futile’. This song also represents a throwback to the early 00s metalcore days, much in the style of All That Remains and Unearth. Especially with the tight chugging staccato rhythms, and gloriously piercing aesthetic guitar leads (see ‘Damocles’ for an absolute guitar masterclass). That sense of melody bursting through the dense layers of sheer punishing heaviness is a defining feature of Catalysis and a strength they showcase throughout “Serpentine”.
Catalysis are a group of musicians in which the whole is much greater that the sum of its parts. No instrument tries to outdo each other and gets their own chance to shine in the mix and showcase their contribution to this powerhouse of a record.
The production feels honest, raw. It feels as though they’ve gone for a rough and ready approach that’s needed to provide that aggressive hardcore edge. As opposed to something more polished and sterile that would almost certainly kill that edge. 5 tracks feels like the sweet spot really; enough time to arrive and slap you right in the face and make an impact then leaves without outstaying its welcome.
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