 Catholicon Acerbic pulverization in intensified darkness, Louisiana’s Catholicon execute a grinding black/death metal hybrid with violent power. Riffs blaze and churn in discomposed repetition, as barbarous rhythms refuse commitment to previously established themes. Blasting fury of music fueled by hysteria of cutthroat rage aimed at the affliction of a world lost to illusion. Conceptually centered on the diachronic fabrications of Christianity, lyrics are highly descriptive and reasonably considered, and their expression in the seared throat of frenzied screams annihilates denial of conviction. Songs storm in blasting fury, occasionally slowing as if to refuel for the next accelerated onslaught. These slower sections contain the band’s mightiest element, in the apocalyptic revelation of triumphant satanic resplendence, significantly enhanced by riff-shadowing synths of revelatory atmosphere. Morbid Angel’s highly-revered "Immortal Rites" comes to mind during these moments, not in that they match the quality of performance, but in the ceremonial ambience conjured. The belligerent guitars and croaking vocals form the primary swell of angry emotion in this music, common to the musical styles in which this band operate, yet here threatens to overwhelm the technical elements of music in a violent storm of overflowing hatred. Dangerous in most instances, in the case of Catholicon it works to elevate the appeal. "Life after death is just an
illusion Compositional coherence is disrupted frequently through the attack of maniacal expression, as detail suffers at the force of unrestrained passion. Again, not a negative in this case, as the band’s spirit is convincing enough to envelope the listener, though potentially noxious limitations on sophistication are evident. In the instants when everything clicks the music reaches its highest level of effectiveness. Threatening to disassemble into chaos, the musical elements frequently diverge before merging together for brief sections of clarity until chaos again seduces. Production is suitably raw and organic, presenting a sound imbrued in the natural effects of instruments. Drumming is relentless and muscular, supplying the assault with an essential command of authoritative character, maintaining an unstoppable rhythmic strength over which declarative riffs swarm in tortured dissonance. Theory of both black and death metal are in operation here, with a conceptual alliance and atmospheric tendency toward the black, and a rhythmic and compositional technique commonly associated with death, but Catholicon swear no particular allegiance to either side. The personality of the vocals, in the crazed delivery of high-end screeches, can be identified in many spazzcore screamers, and the character of the drumming is not entirely dissimilar from grind standards. This hybridization manages to function devoid of the irritating forced quality often discovered on many releases that attempt to merge various styles. It doesn’t come across so concentrated on Treatise Of The Abyss, allowing for less attention spent on separate sub-genre elements, and more invested in the work as a whole. "The need for God, where did
it begin? What this music lacks in harmonic value, dynamics, and compositional individuality, it makes up for in savagery, which drives its rhythmic violence that in turn provides a sustainable foundation upon which riff patterns can formulate and extend in the security of a backdrop of power. Musical chemistry should develop further on future efforts, along with a more pronounced sense of identity. Swirling through this murderous madness is a spirit screaming to be properly recognized, and Catholicon would do well to listen closer to its cries, as their craft, fired as it is with primal passion and blunt force, stands to gain increased might through channeling and harnessing this spirit’s secret. 5/6/07 Tracklisting: 1. Immaculate Deception Catholicon Discography
Children Of The Lost Generation demo
(1994)
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