Category 7 – Category 7

Here we go again – time for another supergroup. Sure, the term has been used more than it’s healthy for its own good, but what else do you call a band consisting of current and former members of Armoured Saint, Adrenaline Mob, Exodus, Kerry King, Overkill, Anthrax and Machine Head?

The self-titled debut album from the band coasting of John Bush, Phil Demmel, Mike Orlando, Jack Gibson and Jason Bittner is much as you’d expect if you are familiar with the five gentlemen’s back catalogue. That means that this is a no-frills Heavy Metal album packed with big riffs, tasteful guitar solos, blistering drums and roaring vocals courtesy of the ultimate Heavy Metal vocalist, if there ever was one.

Produced, engineered, mixed & mastered by guitarist Mike Orlando, the album is very much Orlando sounding, meaning that it’s a big sounding record with that über-clear quality to it. Despite the wall of guitars, Orlando fortunately understands the importance of giving room to bass guitar, which serves the band’s sonic experience. Drums on the other hand dominate it way too much and that takes some getting used to, nonetheless because Jason Bittner is really off the leash on this album. The sharp drum sound and its prominent role in the final mix make the drums come across as somewhat detached from the overall sound of the record. Especially, Bittner’s excessive double-kick escapades get burdensome.

Fortunately, that ultimate Heavy Metal vocalists John Bush takes lots of focus both when it comes to the rock-solid performance as well as delivering one big chorus after another. He, together with great guitar work, pulls a big portion of focus to the right side. And speaking of the guitar work courtesy of Demmel and Orlando, it’s as good as you’d expect from the duo. Riffs inspired by Thrash Metal as well as NWOBHM work well, but they do often do use similar formula, which means that it takes some spins to really get into them and start telling them apart. Guitar leads however are on a very high level and diversity within them is refreshing and adds so much to the vitality of the songs and so does the in interplay between the two guitarists. Their approach often awakens memories of the late Randy Rhoads, which clicks just right with the melodic chorus approach.

And as for songs, they often do use similar formula, but overall they are well crafted and Bush’s passion and sense for delivering those massive hooks really lifts them up as do those above-mentioned guitar solos.

Category 7 is a strong debut which delivers what you’d expect from those involved, and it’s a welcomed addition to Heavy Metal landscape anno 2024. The album should fit fans most of the bands its band members are best known for, and Category 7 has definitely delivered a solid musical punch for this summer.

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