Category 7 - S/T Review :: Metal veterans assemble at the heart of the storm

Alan is here to talk to us about the debut album from Category 7. This band assembles the talents of John Bush (Armored Saint, Anthrax), Mike Orlando (Nocturnal), Phil Demmel (Vio-Lence, Machine Head, Kerry King), Jason Bittner (Over Kill, Shadows Fall) and Jack Gibson (Exodus). This is the very definition of "Supergroup", but comes off as a band effort. How did this effort sit with the Professor? Join us to find out!
Let's Talk Metal:
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Category 7:
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[@chadappell2447]

Loving the combo of Demmel and Bush🤘🏼

[@Frank_nwobhm]

Speaking of John Bush's voice. I remember 20 years ago when he was doing voice-over's for Burger King commercials. At the time I thought, "damn, that sounds just like John Bush". Years and years later I found out that it actually was. Thus far I've only heard one song from the album, and it didn't knock me out. John fits like a glove with Armored Saint. As you know, they're my favorite band. He just doesn't sound right with anyone else. Thus far, the little I've heard from Cat7 hasn't grabbed me. It's a bit too harsh and intense. Bush is better with more traditional songwriting where he's able to find more room to breath.

[@Stevie-Steele]

I like the discussion of what "category" this album belongs in. Metallum says Heavy/Thrash, RateYourMusic has Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal/US Power Metal with a hint of Groove. I've checked out this album and agree - enjoyable in parts but it's hard to work out what they were going for. I think the fact that it's not a pure Thrash album tells me they just went into it without a plan to be any one specific genre - because it's easy to be Thrash if you really want to. A bit like the last couple Metallica albums - they're kind of in that middle ground between Heavy Metal and Thrash, kind of a crunchy modernized sound and clean production too. I definitely don't think this album is US Power, it's got none of that "epicness" to it, it's somewhere between Heavy Metal and Thrash Metal but not like the other examples of that middle ground such as Meliah Rage, Flotsam, Metal Church etc. I think the reason for that is how it's got some modern influence in it too - perhaps from the Metalcore background of the drummer. It doesn't sound like an album that has consciously studied the Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal hybrid sound of the 80s - it's more like a hodgepodge of ideas from a band trying to mix their influences and appeal to a more "modern" audience - maybe trying to appeal to both kids and dads alike - and ultimately not really engaging either!

[@letstalkmetal]

Very well said!

[@Intermentor]

I think a lot of newer bands are kind of in the middle. Like the last Anthrax releases and the Metallica albums you mentioned.

[@letstalkmetal]

@@Intermentor You may be onto something there

[@jms980]

Get to the teview, your philosophical ramblings are annoying and unnecessary