Dead Letter Circus - The Catalyst Fire
Australian prog-rockers Dead Letter Circus make their welcome with the release of The Catalyst Fire.
Comparisons have previously been made between Karnivool and Dead Letter Circus - they are both Australian, it is an easy link to make, but with the release of The Catalyst Fire it seems Dead Letter Circus are keen to break free of those comparisons and make a sound of their own.
The Catalyst Fire has a much darker sound than the band's debut album, the driving basslines are still present, but distorted guitar work has been thrown into the mix. Their compositions have matured and become more complex; Dead Letter Circus have definitely taken it up a notch on their sophomore album.
Frontman Kim Benzie's vocals are just as important as just as striking as any of the music heard on this 11-track release. He sings with honesty and conviction; making his voice intertwine with the band's work beautifully. Bassist Stewart Hill should also be given a special mention, as his work is the backbone for the band's songs.
A lot of focus is given to progressive bands coming out of Europe or the US, the Aussies are often overlooked, maybe that is because not as many of them make it to our shores, but Dead Letter Circus are well worth checking out. They are a lot more accessible than the vast majority of prog-rock bands out there, but their music is catchy and charismatic. The Catalyst Fire is definitely listen-worthy.