Reviews: Split with Calm.Murder and Catalyst - Two Sides Of The Suicide King
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Underground Review (http://www.undergroundreview.net)
Catalyst and Calm Murder meet up in this 8 song, two-way split album entitled "Two Sides of the Suicide King" out now on Engineer Records. Both bands play the really edgy, underground-sounding type of Metalcore that has it's aggressive moments, slightly melodic undertones in the guitar riffs, and a production that fits quite nicely for both of the bands' styles (which is kind of rough, but, to some extent, atmospheric and most certainly listenable). The album is split in half, 4 songs to each band, and each song clocks in at a decent time.
Firstly, onto NY's newly uprising act, Catalyst; I don't really know (I could be wrong here), but there's something about their music that reminds me of Victory's Freya. Maybe it's just the atmosphere, of the aggressiveness in the music, but I can't quite place it. Their songs are fast, dark, and heavy-laden with breakdowns and but not saturated with tons of melody like many other bands of this genre do, there's only a little bit. And, of course, the guitars are fairly metallic all the way through their half, all leaving this to simply be Metalcore. I can hear parts that remind me of Sympathy in Peril, especially in the vocal department, I also hear a little Narcissus influence (probably not intentional, though), but the overall atmosphere and slight melody Is what reminds me of Freya. Their side may get a little boring, though, because it's directly Metalcore; not too technical, just really straight forward, but they do an alright job of it.
Now onto NY/PA's Calm Murder; this band instantly made me think of Zao or even Metalcore forerunners, Prayer For Cleansing, in a lot of places throughout their 4 songs; vocally and musically. You get the harshly rabid and high pitched screaming followed by the pummeling, chaotic drumming and twangy guitars, a little bit of spoken word; it all seems to start off decently for them, but it slowly fades away and looses its steam later on. They display nothing impressive, musically, but the vocalist has a promising future with the band. The song, "Hey, What's the Penalty For Arson", is very good but it's the only one that really sparks any light over their side.
Both of these two acts display good messages in the 8 tracks; they're well-written and a little poetic, and, to put it simple, refreshing. While I can't find anything notably impressive or standout, musically, the lyrics are a key aspect to this album. Although, the music on this split isn't bad, I've just heard it before and I've heard it done better.
To sum it up, this release nothing really 'great' or anything, nor do I see both of these bands ever becoming super popular in the Metalcore scene, but if you're in the right mood I think you'll enjoy what this split CD has to offer. I just hope these two bands can come up with full-length albums in the near future. I recommended Catalyst to fans of Freya, Symphony in Peril, Narcissus, and Darkest Hour, while Calm Muder is definitely one for fans of Zao, Prayer or Cleansing, and the likes.
Ratings: Music: 6/10 Vocals: 6.5/10 Creativity: 5/10 Message: 7/10 Sound Quality: 6/10 Overall: 6/10
Attention Defecit Disorder (http://www.addzine.com/)
Catalyst starts the record off with 4 heavy MetalCore tracks that take me back about 10 years (not surprising, considering the fact that they've been around for at least 7). They gladly shun the more modern upbeat, Swedish Metal wannabe crossed with EmoCore sound that most of the new crop of bands are riding, sticking instead to intensely heavy, dowtuned HardCore capped off with some Slayer style riffing for melody over the top. There's nothing groundbreaking contained within, but they are certainly a good band that I actuallyenjoy listening to, and Catalyst gets all of their possible 2.5 beers from me as a result.
Jersey Beat (http://www.jerseybeat.com)
...Calm.Murder is a band of the more recent emo-hardcore vintage, with breakdowns provided by Lewis and Mike allowing for At the Drive In-esque vocals to be draped over the tracks by Shaun. The sizzling guitar lines that also make this entrance during thhis track are the light to the deep and dark sounds of Brandon's bass during the track, in what is truly a tremendous battle. "This Day Love Died" marks the end of the split, and shows a Calm.Murder that does not rest on thhis laurels, using PJ's drumming to really create a different mood for this track.
Purerock.de (http://www.purerock.de)
Two Sides OF The Suicide King is called this Split EP of the two Ami volume Catalyst and Calm Murder and, on both sides proceeds it brachial, goes it frustrated to course, goes it into the abysses of the interhuman relations. A little like Unbroken with Life, Love, Regret: everything is shits and nothing is good and love only one word without substance and without meaning.
Catalyst strike this rage rather usually out: Metalcore with large stress of the "Metals", times loud geshout times Spoken Word. That is not fortunately as thickly produced as the whole colleagues of Killswitch Engage to Unearth, but it is evenly unfortunately also neither again nor unusually well, so that one looks already in vain for the reason, why one now Catalyst to absolutely sound oneself is and not one of the many other Metalcore groupings.
Calm Murder are thus completely clearly the winners of these nice Split EP. Also they pair accustomed, but make in a more obscure and more unusual way. The Gekeife has a character, the instruments plays chaotic Metalcore - not half as chaotically as Dillinger escape plan, rather as Converge completely last, and if also not as well as these two, so nevertheless already so that one stops. Calm Murder are audible despite everything and the largest plus are perhaps the mad desperate texts, for example with the Song This Is NO horror Movie and You're NO Scream Queen. It concerns vergaenglichkeit, pain, it is a matter of disappointments, it goes around: Life, love, regret. With the last Song This Day Love Died one is whole in the intensive world of Calm Murder and regrets it that one does not have pure output these volume in the Player.
Result: Nice EP for friends of the rauer produced Metalcore.
The Journal Review (http://www.journalreview.com)
Catalyst and Calm.Murder share more in common than hometowns (Port Jervis, N.Y.). Both metal bands mine forbiddingly dark territory for their colossal sound, contributing four tracks each to the split CD "Two Sides of the Suicide King."
Whether they're playing their anchoring riffs lugubriously slow or venomously fast, Catalyst perform with deliberate malice and pinpoint execution. Mike Mead adds the black icing on the cake with a screeching vortex for a voice.
Calm.Murder, conversely, are faster and inject a little spooky melody into their heavyset riffagery. Vocalist Shaun Whitehead, while unafraid to incorporate clean parts in his singing, will be better remembered as sounding like demon incarnate. And while Catalyst engage listeners in matters of the broken heart, Calm.Murder touch on vile fantasies that may give Slayer pause.
Together, though, they put Port Jervis on the map.
THE RED SEASON (http://www.theredseason.com)
Hailing from Port Jervis and Orange County, New York, Catalyst has managed to spawn numerous trends in the hardcore scene and remain a band for seven years. Originating as a strictly hardcore group, Catalyst has now progressed to a more metallic edge to fit in with the musical influences seen today. Holding the second slot of the "Two Sides of the Suicide King" split is Calm.Murder who resides in both New York and Pennsylvania. Although somewhat opposite of Catalyst in sound, Calm.Murder brings forth an intense level of chaos undoubtedly touched by few other bands.
Opening their half of the split, Catalyst relies on "Kiss You Goodbye" to serve as the hook. Featuring an original melodic riff and drum work with a good dash of cymbals tossed in, the vocals of this piece strike me as somewhat shocking. Not necessarily an awful sound, the vocals just seem a bit coarse and un-mastered; likewise this same DIY sound applies throughout this entire half of the split. Progressing to "Same Shit Everyday," Catalyst extorts their ability to create an extremely fast paced song with a combination of slow, sludgy guitars followed by deep vocals all the way to faster, two stepping portions.
With a sound for the fans of Dillinger Escape Plan and Eden Maine, Calm.Murder carries the task of closing the "Two Sides of the Suicide King" split. Featuring the small features Dillinger Escape Plan subtly adds into their songs with the melodic portions of Eden Maine, Calm.Murder comes together to form a pretty unique sound. One second this half of the split is chaos, the next second it is melodic rock portions seen on numerous metalcore albums.
Over all, the "Two Sides of the Suicide King" split features quality musical work, but falls under the table at the mastering and recording process. Although each album is clearly distinguishable and the recording quality is not overly shoddy, it still pulls a negative effect into the release. This seems to overshadow a good deal of the talent on Catalyst's portion taking a couple of listenings to pick up on, but over all, an excellent release for people looking for music along the lines of Undying and Eden Maine.
Score: 7 / 10
SCENE IT ALL (http://sceneitall.net/reviews.php)
"This is what it's like when world's collide" - Powerman 5000. Remember those grade seven/grade eight dances and that song was so heavy. You just loved to get up and mosh to it. Well that's what you get when you put Catalyst and Calm Murder on one spilt CD. Worlds are colliding. But this isn't no lousy grade eight dance. This is the new shit to get up and dance to. Time to start "T'in" down with Catalyst and Calm Murder.
"Two sides of the Suicide King" is the spilt CD release with four tracks from Catalyst and four tracks from Calm Murder. This CD is guaranteed to get you moving around. The CD consists of only eight songs but I guarantee it will leave you wanting more. If you like bands like Unearth, As I Lay Dying, Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, then you will love Catalyst. If you like bands like ZAO, Converge, Dillinger Escape Plan, Fear Before The March of Flames, then you'll love Calm Murder. Yes, I am comparing these guys to so many good bands. That's how good this CD is.
Catalyst bring the first four tracks to the CD (1-4). From Port Jervis, NY hails from Orange County, NY, these guys have been around doing shows for about seven years now. Touring like crazy, the shows continue to grow, getting bigger and bigger. It's not surprise that this is happening because they are so talented. Representing metalcore to the fullest. Be prepared for intense breakdown's from Catalyst in songs like "Same Shit Everyday" and "This Heart wont Heal on it's own" while you listen to this CD. Stay away from any breakable objects in case you feel the need to start swinging.
Calm Murder follows with the next four explosive tracks (5-8). Coming from Port Jervis, NY and Dingmans Ferry, PA, their sound is very artistic. Get ready for intense screaming followed by raging guitars and a "nothing but" heavy drum beat. Calm Murder is not the same as Catalyst but they bring a unique sound which makes for the perfect mix for a hardcore CD. That's all you get when you listen to "Two Sides of the Suicide King".
If you are into hardcore music this CD is essential. Two great bands for you guys to check out. Don't get left behind and miss out on an opportunity to hear two bands that will have everyone talking very soon.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
Neufutur (http://www.neufutur.com)
Catalyst starts this split out with "Kiss You Goodbye", a typical over-blown, theatrics-laden hardcore track rife with screaming. What saves "Kiss You Goodbye" is the ever-present and impressive drumming laid down by Kevin. Fairly normal guitar riffs wreck any pretense of innovation and spontaneity on Catalyst's side of the split, as "Your Death"'s average fare is just a poorly-mixed example of how to scream in monotone. Guitar lines are heavily influenced by "Reign in Blood"-era Slayer while "Your Death" shows a mixture of Corrosion of Conformity and 21 Wounds being the impetus for Mike's vocals. Hatebreed comes through as another influence during the opening strains of "Same Shit Everday", where the guitars tend to switch into a more melodic/medieval metal mode for the track (think Emperor meets Blind Guardian). Finishing off their part of the split with "this Heart Won't Heal On It's Own", Catalyst shows that they are mired in a mass of metal muck from which they seemingly will never leave. The faster driving beat of "This Heart" may seem to some to be a ray of light on an otherwise cloudy track, but it is again relegated to mundane-ness by the bulk of the rest of the track.
Calm.Murder is a band of the more recent emo-hardcore vintage, with breakdowns provided by Lewis and Mike allowing for At the Drive In-esque vocals to be draped over the tracks by Shaun. The screamed-out vocals of "This Is No Horror Movie..." are only aided by the odd time signatures that Brandon (bassist) and the guitarist work under during the track. The extended spoken part on "TINHM" is a little pretentious, but it does provide a nice bridge to lead up into the ending section. Entering "hey, What's The Penalty For Arson?" with the same intensity that has marked all their sracks on this side of the split, Calm.Murder again taps the well of impressive artistry and works some magic in moving away from traditional song structure. The sizzling guitar lines that also make their entrance during their track are the light to the deep and dark sounds of Brandon's bass during the track, in what is truly a tremendous battle. "This Day Love Died" marks the end of the split, and shows a Calm.Murder that does not rest on their laurels, using PJ's drumming to really create a different mood for this track. If this was a competitive spot, Calm.Murder would have left Catalyst in the dust.
The Gauntlet (http://www.thegauntlet.com)
Catalyst crank out some strong-armed core here that is laced with doomy instrumental passages here on their split with Calm.Murder "Two Sides Of The Suicide King". The lead cut "Kiss You Goodbye" enter in a very somber manner then morphs into an all out attack that is powered by the anguished vocals of Mike Mead. This cut has a very cool stop action, call and response break that gives the track a mean sort of dynamic that is bassy and bottom heavy. "Your Death" is a lumbering monster with an ominous, Godzilla like presence that really hits the listener hard, the musical equivalent of a brick between the eyes. The chorus finds Mead taking on a Danzig like vocal approach until the axe grinders Emil Ahmed and Doug Prundl return with a spider crawl of a lick that lapses into a ballsy howl from Mead and a return to the massive, sludgy riff that rides out to the track's coda. The coolest track you'll find here is the vertigo inducing "Same Shit Everyday" which features a spiraling riff and a strong, doom-laden chorus. Bassist TJ Zaucha and Drummer Kevin Pearston lock in tightly on the swift parts and lock like a vice when things get doomy. Catalyst's side of the split ends with the trudging "This Heart Won't Heal On It's Own" that shows that Catalyst can crank out the doom like nobody's business. The production of this side of the split is a bit bassy and muddy. With this kind of music it can be a plus, but the songs could stand a bit of a remix in order to level certain parts out a touch. This however is not a major issue as the record is still quite enjoyable to listen to and overall, a powerful collection of stompers that deserves your attention for this band's contribution alone.
