Review: “Serpentine” by Catalysis

A second record with the line up that delivered last years EP “The Only Way Out Is Through” as well as performances at Anvinium Metal Festival in Belgium, Thrashchester in Manchester and Aberdeen Metal Fest to name but a few means the anticipation of continues quality from Scottish Metalcore Kings Catalysis is high. For a few seconds in 2024 it was Armageddon with the sudden departure of long-term vocalist Colin MacGregor, guitarist Sean Ramson and bassist Paul Edwards from a band who had long been the talk of the town, however founding members in lead guitarist Drew Cochrane and drummer Calum Rennie remained steadfast in their desire to continue what they started. So they quickly recruited vocalist Andrew Downie (Excellent Cadaver, No Further Truth), guitarist Jamie Paterson (Crusaders, Nocturne Wulf) and bassist Robi Islam (Volcano X) and resumed live performances less than two months, as if they hadn’t missed a beat.

Mixed and mastered by Once Awake guitarist Hans Petter Solen (Children of the Void, Volupta) the seventh record from Catalysis begins with “Tremors“, a track with the instant appeal of an ice cold beer on a scorching hot day. A classic crunchy, groove laden riff with the flavour of “Burn My Eyes” era Machine Head tears through the ear canals followed by a ripper of a solo with classic Thrash leanings as the band put down what can only be described as a statement of intent. Dry throated, raspy vocals from Downie are broken up by the odd off spoken word moment just to add something sinister to the otherwise vicious tirade and the drum sound is as thunderous as you’d hope.

Fuelled by the finest of inspirations from the best of the 2003 era of American Metalcore and the Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal scene that preceded it “Futile“, has a glorious clean sung chorus line with sing-a-long qualities that seems to allow the band to take the gloves off and get heavier. Blast beats, rampaging riffs and a wonderfully melodic solo are all impeccably done with the vicious unclean vocal parts clearly meaning that much more with a greater emotive quality. Repeated lines like “Here comes the bitter truth!” are ones you just want to scream back.

Exploring themes of coercion and betrayal title track “Serpentine” has that added depth of meaning that is going to send you to the lyric sheet afterwards. Another riff driven sonic assault on the senses, it counterbalances the sonic weight and intensity with tight controlled riffing and a sinister tone, the lyrics very much of the kind that paint a portrait in the minds eye. As song writers, the quintet are clear in their objectives, making clever use of structure and tempo shifts to make the heavier parts really stand out.

There is an almost cinematic quality to the grandeur of “Damocles” as the band drag the discerning listener kicking and screaming through the dark and tragic tale with a glorious ebb and flow. The riffs are urgent and aggressive but there are moments of burning melody, the atmosphere and intensity making it the kind of cut that draws you in, maintaining your focus despite being a bit longer than the rest. Cochrane has always been a fantastic lead guitarist but here it almost feels like he’s reached a level of new found power, the soloing on this one being particularly epic.

The malicious “Deathblow” is the kind tune that has a name, someone having crossed Downie one too many times and his venomous vocals warn of what’s going to happen should their paths cross once more. The lyrics are such that you can make it your own with ease, the barbed guitars, pummelling percussion and rumbling bass like a silver platter on which a knife is placed. A vicious little ditty in every sense of those words, it feels perfectly placed on a record that does exactly what it should in leaving you wanting more [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Tremors
2. Futile
3. Serpentine
4. Damocles
5. Deathblow

“Serpentine” by Catalysis is out 17th April 2026