KATAGORY V
"The
Rising Anger" (Nightmare Records; 2006)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
"The Rising Anger" is competent progressive metal from beginning to end. The songwriting is usually epic and sweeping, the musicianship is tight and expansive, and the vocals and lyrics are powerful and telling. Fans of the band's earlier work will find something to their liking here.
There's no question that Katagory V, out of Utah, are a great band. Yet "The Rising Anger" doesn't quite live up to the band's potential. Instead, it sometimes sounds uninspired and somewhat flat. It's hard to say whether this is due to production, or perhaps because the band's sound has become much more progressive than on previous releases. It may be all just a matter of personal taste. I'm not quite the progressive fan that East Coast Editor Christopher J. Kelter, is for example.
Even so, there's a lot of music to like here and, if nothing else, "The Rising Anger" is ample evidence of the band's amazing talents. It may not be Katagory V's best CD, but like sex and beer, even imperfect Katagory V is good.
For more information, check out http://www.katagory5.com.
"A
New Breed of Rebellion" (Metal Ages; 2005)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Katagory V is one of my favorite bands when it comes to melodic metal. I love the way the band uses music to tell a story and gets their point across just like a director directing a movie or a play.
This band weaves a tapestry of musical brush strokes and comes out with a storyline just waiting to be discovered. "A New Breed Of Rebellion" is the name of the CD and it is just waiting for somebody to open it up and discover the world and mind of Katagory V.
Katagory V has been around since 1998 and every release I have heard has just blown my socks off. "New Breed" is no different. The entire production is larger then life with the usual keyboards, drums and guitars mixed with a killer producer who blends the music perfectly with an end result that is a truly awesome CD.
As you can tell, I really like this kind of music and I really like this band in particular.
For more information, check out http://www.katagory5.com.
"Present
Day" (Nightmare Records; 2001)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Sometimes, my favorite bands to review are the ones that are hard to put a label on. Katagory V is just such a band.
Listening to this music is like reading a science fiction or fantasy novel - and not just your run-of-the-mill novels but the work of a master. Each song is like a mini novella with a clearly defined storyline from start to finish.
Solid heavy rock music is the backbone of each and every tune on this CD. The songwriting ability here is way above average, with a bit of Iron Maiden or Judas Priest flare mixed with a hint of Gamma Ray or Helloween. The overall sound further enhances the overall quality of this CD.
Not too many bands can pull off this kind of music without sounding preachy or overwrought, but Katagory V does it without effort. Plus the cover is ultra cool, with a metallic nude female coming out of the water - gotta love that, just another plus to this extraordinary CD.
For more information, check out http://www.katagory5.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2006 by R. Scott Bolton. All
rights reserved.
Revised: 15 Apr 2024 16:55:53 -0400
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