Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Cataract - Kingdom – 2006 - Metal Blade

Track Listing1.Kingdom's rise 2.War of cultures 3.On this graveyard 4.Denial of life 5.Tongues spitting hate 6.March with your battleforce 7.Sacrificed for the wealth 8.Definition of the scared 9.Legions at the gates 10.Unforgotten 11.For their sins

Good God almighty! The world has been tossed in the bushes and set on fire with a scorching hot branding iron. That is all we have left after Swedish band Cataract's unbelievable firestorm in "Kingdom", their new release through Metal Blade. At this point in time Cataract may be the best 'core band on the planet, matching wits and pulverizing energy with high tier mainstream acts like Hatebreed, Sworn Enemy, and Lamb Of God. Their punishing and, often enough, killing riff strokes ignite a fire and frenzy that is very seldom heard in what has become a rather stale new market. This is elite metal for the aggressive metal enthusiast, a wall of sound that simply erupts in big block riffs and brutal drum patterns, all neatly interlaced with harsh screaming vocals and piercing quick solos. Aligning themselves with the sought after talents of producer Tue Madsen once again, this is the release that should catapult Cataract onto every zine press photo shoot and television media outlet venture, quite possibly reaching the heights that made Pantera a house-hold name world wide.

"Kingdom" is the end result of years and years of musical precision and accuracy, an educated portrayal of a band that has reached their peak after three full length ventures (on both Metal Blade and Lifeforce Records) that showed potential and talent to be "the next big thing". The next big thing is here and better than we ever expected. This band is right on target with their hard hitting metalcore sound, an end result that mixes in mid-era Slayer vengeance with the well calculated thrashings of Sweden's diverse metal scene. This is the album that finally replaces those well played Pantera records, a new soundtrack for today's over the top fanatic. If anyone in hearing distance gets a piece of this, then heads will roll. "Kingdom" is exciting, moving, chaotic, and even innovative at a period of time when everything has been done three to four times over.

Bottom Line - With "Kingdom" Cataract go beyond the well-oiled titanium acts with an intensity rarely heard in today's modern metal realms. Fans of The Haunted and Hatesphere should find that "missing" element with this band, that need to feel vibrant and energetic while still firmly encased in mammoth rock. What is sometimes a prison for most bands Cataract handles as an asset. Highly recommended for metal fans across the board!



--EC 6.26.06