It’s a metal fan’s dream, a line-up that would cause most to immediately sit up and take notice, but Category 7 are determined to be more than yet another supergroup. With the main drivers behind the original set up of the band Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob, Sonic Universe, Noturnall) and Phil Demmel (Machine Head, Vio-Lence, Kerry King, Slayer, Overkill etc), the pieces of the jigsaw apparently came together quite fluidly with the technical expertise of Shadows Fall / Overkill drummer Jason Bittner, the bass skills of Exodus man Jack Gibson and the vocal prowess of Armored Saint frontman John Bush. A formidable line-up indeed. But can they cut it together?
The answer is a resounding yes. Although the album is laced with more melody and lighter tones than one might expect from the likes of Exodus and Overkill, this is still killer heavy metal. Opener In Stitches sets the bar, with thunderous double bass drums paving the way for a riff heavy explosion that sees the dual guitars of Demmel and Orlando firing on all cylinders from the start. There’s enough room for Bush to ease his lyrics out, giving that unmistakable flow which has been his trademark since those early days in the 1980s. Yes, there is plenty of craft flowing through this release with In Stitches simply the piledriver that sets the pace.
There is, as would be expected, some phenomenal playing on this album. Bittner’s drumming is spot on throughout, a driving force that merges into the harmonies that flood the songs, more a part of the overall flow of music than simply the engine room.
Land I Used to Love for example, sees Bittner’s powerhouse propel the songs along, whilst the astonishing guitar work of Demmel and Orlando is organic. Bush is on fire throughout, his lyrical observations allowing you to form your own opinions on what he is singing about, although it’s evident that there is a social commentary / observation being made on several tracks. Ample thrash style riffs pepper this release, with the explosive Apple of Discord featuring more extensive lead work that thrills, and the bruising blast of Exhausted with its punchy Anthrax style riff pushing the thrashometer to the max. It’s a joy to experience such exceptional playing, all wrapped up in well-rounded songs that work on every level.
It's evident that the band are intent on making this something more than just another project. Demmel commented, “Really, I feel like this is a band, not a side project. And I feel like we have written this incredible piece of music, and we’re not done. I’m so proud of the way this came together and the people who were involved. And I think we all feel super positive about this and what else we can do with it going forward”. I think that is evident in the positivity that Category 7 exudes.
Bush’s vocals are distinctive, his performance as impressive as anything he’s been involved in for many years. Listen to the likes of Mousetrap, with the blistering mid-section guitar bursts, and hear Bush given the time he needs to breath and bring his vocals to the fore. Throw in Gibson’s pulsing bass and Bittner’s drumming and you have a recipe that works.
Underpinning each track is the decades of experience that these musicians bring to the party. There are flashes of punk metal attitude, a serving of old style NWOBHM in the underlying rhythms, all delivered with a classic style that should appeal to many.
The highlights are many, but finishing with an eight-minute instrumental is ballsy. Etter Stormen provides an opportunity to sit back and enjoy the quality that these legends of metal bring. It’s a fine piece, an extended metal workout that concludes the album in just the right way.
I can’t add much more to this. If you like heavy metal in any shape or form, then this is an album that should be on your radar. It’s evidence of the quality that still sits with seasoned veterans, who still possess the drive to make new music. And for that, we should all be grateful.
“I think the sound of this band really comes down to the odd connection that all of us have,” Bittner says. “We’ve known each other for years as friends and peers. And we’ve all looked up to each other and know that one day we’d have to work together. It’s taken almost two decades for that to happen, but lo-and-behold, once it did there was no stopping us”.
Category 7 is released on 26th July via Metal Blade Records.
Review by Hutch
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