The Catalyst
Marianas Trench
The Perpetual Motion Machine (2007)
When The Catalyst made a stop in D.C. over the summer, Mass Movement of the Moth's drummer perfectly described the band: "Welcome to Headbanging 101 with your instructor's, The Catalyst." The Catalyst then proceeded to break necks, and more than likely got drunk doing it. Rewind a few hours before, a front porch full of D.C. straight edge vegan punks, all staring in disbelief as a small amount of Richmond ascends onto the house, bringing cigarettes and brown paper bags containing malt liquor bottles that didn't stand a chance of not being consumed within the next thirty seconds. "Oh no, who's that?" someone muttered under their breath. "Don't worry, it's just The Catalyst," somebody else remarked. Two hours later, faces were ripped off. Not to make The Catalyst out to be a bunch of devil loving, pot smoking, alcohol guzzling shredders, but they kind of are, and it's hard to imagine them minding the title. The Catalyst first made their mark on a split with longtime tourmates Mass Movement of the Moth, and their potential was immediately seen. Featuring a dual drumming assault team, The Catalyst blasted through their songs, playing a mix of thrash and metal and still getting … Read more
End of a Season / Many Men Have Tried
Split
Refoundation (2007)
I've always enjoyed sampling international hardcore or punk. Sometimes it's nice to have a reality check. It seems like sometimes … Read more
Pet Genius
Pet Genius
Hydra Head (2007)
Stephen Brodsky is a shape-shifter. Throughout his musical career, the oftentimes-enigmatic frontman has been the main songwriting force behind numerous … Read more
Jena Berlin
Quo Vadimus
Jump Start (2007)
Quo Vadimus is the sophomore effort from Philadelphia's Jena Berlin. Unfortunately, odds are that most of you reading this are … Read more
