Cathartic Demise

That “Progressive Thrash Metal” genre tag ain’t fuckin’ lying, ladies and gentlemen. Cathartic Demise rips and tears like the Doom Slayer on bath salts as everything’s thrashing and smashing with little to no reprieve. Everything’s played with a high amount of energy, with ridiculously kinetic riffing and percussion that amps up the energy within the room it’s being played in. It would be a hell of a time to see these guys live. But what keeps things interesting is the two-pronged assault of proficient, technical playing and remarkably infectious melodicism. There’s this level of patience to their structuring that allows the various melodies to breathe. That, and while the playing oftentimes escalates to a rather complex degree, Bennett and Taylor are able to manipulate them into a flowing stream. Bennett’s gruff, throaty shouts emphasize these compositions while adding extra spice to proceedings. All kinds of melodies at play, and whether they’re in your face or of the more wormy variety, they stand taller than Andre the Giant and come across as strongly as Eddie Hall.

This self-titled EP is mainly a showcase of their skills. But honestly, all three songs here showcase them with a real kind of gusto few bands can match. “Liberty” may be six and a half minutes long, but the multifarious riffs maintain a consistently kinetic pace throughout. There’s a real kick to the song that pumps it up – just this gale force wind of hard-hitting thrash riffs and dizzying solos that could generate power to a small village indefinitely. “The Vice” is a more energetic romp of rolling riffs, showcasing a real harmony in chaos as its manic structure manifests into a series of catchy parts. Its transitioning from harmonious leads and solos to some blasty borderline Hate Eternal jams – with added thrashing – simply creates that perfect contrast for a band concerned with pumped up performances. And good lord, I thought they’d be in over their heads with the epic length “Solar Returning”, yet given the dynamic riffing, ear-catching leads and high-flying solos amidst its soaring composition, it ends up actually being the best track here. Talk about ending on a high note!

Or rather, kicking off their career on a high note. When this dropped in 2019, I remember my jaw dropping in a cartoonish manner at the sheer musicianship on display. The expert bobbing and weaving of riffs creating these genuinely hot-blooded joints, perfectly accentuated by the drumming and vocals that add a ton of power. Well, two years later, this is holding up terrifically, in much the same manner.