It comes with great personal pleasure to be reviewing the new, 6th full-length album from KATAGORY V, that hail from Utah, United States. They are not a new band since they were formed back in 1999 by the bassist / guitarist Dustin Mitchell and started their discographic journey in 2001, with a great prog / power metal debut album, under the title ‘’Present Day’’.
Unfortunately, after five studio albums that were characterized with wonderful music and songs, the band split-up shortly after the release of their 5th album (the first with the new singer Albert Rybka), back in August 2014, with the founder of the band (Dustin Mitchell) retiring from the music business for almost a decade. The good news from the band came after many years, in July 2023, when the band was officially reformed.
The first impression of the new album, comes from the beautiful cover that was created by Ed Repka Illustration. I don’t know if the depicted girl, resurrecting from the grave, has to do with the ‘’resurrection’’ of the band or with the title of the album. Everyone can make his own interpretations about that but I suppose we will all agree that this is a fine piece of art as a cover.
Regarding about the music itself, I would say that it was a very pleasant surprise and satisfaction to listen to the 10 songs that comprise the album. I am pretty sure, that this sound that brings memories of the late ‘80s – early ‘90s prog/power metal with thrash/speed metal elements, is not so common in contemporary’s time heavy metal scene. We are in deficit of this particular sound and when something like this (album) emerges, it is more than welcome. It brings joy and enthusiasm.
In comparison to the band’s enormous quality back-catalogue, in the new album, definitely we are dealing with a fantastic flash-back to the glorious days of the first two albums.
KATAGORY V, which are composed of the following members: Albert Rybka – Vocals, Curtis Morell – Guitar, Dan Coxey – Guitar, Dustin Mitchell – Bass, Matt Suiter – Drums, have delivered an album that is really very strong.
‘’Awaken a New Age of Chaos’’, has a distinct, dark, aggressive, direct, thrashy mood, which balances harmonically with melody and progressive intricacy in songwriting and song arrangement.
For example, there is the track ‘’Blood Siphon’’, which is maybe the thrashier song in the album and an absolute dynamite of a song, that combines incredible dynamic riffs in fast, energetic speed, magnetizing high pitched vocals with imposing passages and chorus.
Dustin Mitchell elaborates:
‘’ I feel it’s easily our thrashiest track on the album. This one was a real challenge to record as well, as in the past, we haven’t really played songs at this high of a tempo. It’s a blistering, brutal song that boxes you about the ears relentlessly.
Love the sound of this track, as it has a strong late 80’s speed/thrash vibe to it… possibly heavily influenced by HELSTAR both musically and lyrically. I also hear a bit of L.A. metal in it… HERETIC is a band that comes to mind when I listen to this since the bass attack reminds of their sound.
For me, this song is very nostalgic late 80’s style speed/thrash style. I have wanted to play stuff like this since I was 14, so when this song was brought to the table, it was very easy to dive into.’’
I would add to the above, that the song is also reminiscent of bands such as ARCANE from Texas, SKEPTIC SENSE from Germany or MILITIA from California.
On that, thrashier context, belong also the songs ‘’Legacy In Blood’’, ‘’Night Wing’’ and ‘’ Prophet Of Sorrow’’.
On the other hand, there are songs where the melody is more prevalent, for instance the song ‘’Absolution Divide’’, that brings also memories of bands like FATES WARNING, MYSTIC FORCE or QUEENSRŸCHE.
On that aforementioned more melodic context, where the powerful lyricism and the elegantly intricate structures are more predominant, belong also songs like the incredible ‘’ Through Fate’s Eyes’’, ‘’Escape To Beyond’’ and ‘’I Miss You’’.
Of course, there are a couple of songs that stand in between that pattern and present an equal balance between lyricism and aggressiveness and these are the ‘’Empire Of Ignorance’’ and ‘’Spirit Of Vengeance’’.
I strongly believe that this is a very powerful come back for KATAGORY V.
They are a band that maybe all these years haven’t achieved the popularity and recognition they deserved, in comparison to the music they have created. It is very good that they have reached an agreement with High Roller Records, for the release and distribution of the album in Europe.
If everything goes well in the near future for the band, I think that they also should consider and propose to High Roller Records, the reissue of their full back catalogue in Europe.
Last but not least, I couldn’t agree more with the following statement from Dustin Mitchell regarding their latest album. Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better, with my own words.
‘’ I won’t bore you with trite phrases boasting that it’s “the heaviest”, “the most powerful”, or “the most progressive” album we’ve ever recorded. What I will say, however, is that in my opinion, this is a love letter to all the indie-label U.S. speed, thrash, power, and progressive metal bands from 87’-91’: all the brilliant and influential U.S. bands that were on Metal Blade, Enigma, Roadrunner, Combat, Noise, et al.
If you were listening to U.S. metal bands on those labels during that time…or even if you still listen to those bands today…then I believe this album is for YOU.’’
‘’ Awaken a New Age of Chaos’’ will be released on the 16th of May 2025 by Metallic Blue Records in North/South America, in Europe through High Roller Records and will be available on LP, CD and digital format.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
