Symphonic metal with female vocals has become a busy musical niche as, following in the footsteps of genre tenors like 'Epica', 'Within Temptation' or 'Nightwish' to name just three very well-known bands, many bands have emerged over the past few years and I can't count the number of new combos that have been chronicled since myprogmusic's creation. This is again the case with this international band 'Catalyst Crime' which was created by American singer 'Zoe Marie Federoff' (ex 'Insatia') and by german drummer 'Gerit Lamm' from 'Xandria'.
This self-titled debut album could be an album to be shown in all good symphonic metal schools as it contains all the ingredients of this style with a good dose of metal energy featuring a charismatic singer accompanied from time to time by extreme vocals, instrumental arrangements provided using either symphonic formations or for those who can't afford it, orchestral ensemble programming. And by the way, proof of quality, it was the singer 'Alexander Krull' from 'Leaves' Eyes' who, after meeting the band, decided to produce and record the album. We are thus embarked in 10 tracks of symphonic metal with catchy melodic lines framed by epic instrumentals intro and outro typical of this style and, from 'Projection of My Mind', 'Condemn Me to Chaos' (see video above) and 'Mother Dearest', we are conquered by the energy released in devastating melodic hits. In the same genre, one cannot miss the catchy 'Cognitive Dissonance' (see the video here) or the powerful 'Break Even' or the melodic 'Without Anesthesia' or even the epic 'Not Even Once' with its sampled choirs. And when the softness sets in, the power ballad 'Twice Upon a Time' and the more refined one 'Chasing The Ghost' show the full extent of the vocal talent of 'Zoë Marie Federoff', who in this last track, is reminiscent of 'Simone Simons'.
In summary, this new symphonic metal project 'Catalyst Crime' has all the assets to break into the teeming world of this style and it is likely that the fan base, which is already important, will multiply in the years to come if they continue in this very promising way... | |
