In this day and age, it seems like almost every metal band is held up against stalwarts like At The Gates. But how many bands have ever been held up against thrash metal legends Machine Head? Ladies and gentleman, I submit for your listening pleasure and Machine Head comparisons Cataract.

Cataract hail from Switzerland, but after listening to their latest CD Kingdom (Metal Blade), you will swear that they have been hanging out on the left coast learning how to thrash with the best of them. Cataract have been plying their trade since 1998 and have played live with the

likes of Sick of It All, Eighteen Visions and Biohazard. Clearly they picked up the finer points of the American thrash and hardcore scenes. This is a European band that sounds more American  than many American bands do.

Back to the Machine Head comparisons. The first thing you will notice about this record is the Davidian-era guitar tone Simon Fuellemann and Greg Maeder evoke throughout the record,  but especially on songs like "War of Cultures" and "On This Graveyard". They even manage to pull off Rob Flynn-esque piggy squeals on "Tongues Spitting Hate". Drummer Ricky Duerst beats  the shit out of his kit for the whole record and sets a breakneck pace for the band to follow. Fedi Carminitana's vocals are right in your face with the same spit and ferocity of Flynn (you might even envision Fedi's front teeth filed down the same way.).

Kingdom delivers the same kind of beatdown as Davidian and Burn My Eyes. Is it the most original metal album you'll hear this year? Hell no. Will you enjoy bloodying yourself to a pulp listening to it? Abso-freakin-lutely.

---

 

please support          ________________________________________________________________         __________ 

 

 

copyright 2006  badtastemusic.com