Review by JD on July 28, 2008.

Coming out of the mountain swept country of Switzerland, Metal Blade Records had unleashed it’s newest find on to the world stage... and it is called Cataract. It is furious, blatantly thunderous but even after all of the explosion the label has hyped up to the nuts... ends up pretty much sounding uninspired in it’s attack and form.

Cataract comes across sounding just like a whole heap of other bands that are out there right now, lumping themselves together with acts that are mixing extreme metal and hardcore influences. I love some of those as much as the next person, but this album ends up feeling sort of...well...just average.

It is obvious that Cataract can really play, but yet it seemed like the album is just satisfied to rehash every last idea that drives the crossover scene... then spits them back at the listener. The CD is raunchy in spots and makes me think they are hinting at some shades of pure brilliance that is hidden beneath the sonic assault, but even with the barrage... it ends up never getting off the ground.

The band covers all the bases, but never delivers the killing blow of genius that I am dying to hear from them. I have not heard the other releases the band has (five, by my searches), but this self titled album makes me just set it aside, to occupy a spot in my collection. Dunno how many times I am going to play Cataract again...or even if I will.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 5
Production: 7
Originality: 5
Overall: 7

Rating: 6.2