Under the dim lights of Melbourne’s Hi-Fi Bar back in August 2011, Dead Letter Circus frontman Kim Benzie forecast new material within 12 months.
While dedicated fans waited patiently, the alternative four-piece steadily endured several amendments – including the departure of founding member Rob Maric, the addition of Tom Skerlj and Clint Vincent from Melodyssey, and numerous label changes that consistently delayed recording.
Such turmoil would affect even the most determined of bands, but DLC have produced The Catalyst Fire in a manner that exemplifies their creative expertise. Not to mention in a style that perfectly complements the band’s debut, This Is The Warning.
Whereas This Is The Warning managed to capture the penetrating sounds and relentless complexity of the Brisbane band, The Catalyst Fire is a more controlled offering with nods to Themata by Karnivool in its delivery of layered rhythms and meticulous riffs.
The hard-hitting authority of Luke Williams on drums remains profound, while the assertive bass of Stewart Hill is given more prominence to great effect (see “The Cure”).
“Lodestar” and “Stand Apart” are just some of the further highlights, and the expansive vocal range of Benzie is enough to provoke comparisons to Jonny Craig of Emarosa.
That said, while the pounding intensity and decisiveness of DLC remains, in some places the collection is sporadic and less well-balanced than the debut.
Despite this, the powerful rhythms and aggressive confidence of the album demand approval. Even if unfairly compared to the band’s debut, created under very different conditions, The Catalyst Fire is an impressive response and one more than capable of standing alone.
