The Catalyst

Montreal has quickly become the hotbed for heavy music, producing some of metal’s finest extreme exports like Despised Icon, Beneath the Massacre, Ion Dissonance, Kataklysm and Cryptopsy. The Catalyst - which consists of guitarists G. McDonagh and Justin Deguire, bassist Mike Marino, drummer Denis Potapov and vocalist Matt Bailie, are no exception.

The group’s unique brand of thrash metal fuses together elements of the genre’s founding fathers (Metallica, Testament, Megadeth, Pantera) and the current flag waivers (The Haunted, Fear Factory, Lamb Of God, Arch Enemy) to create a thundering sonic Molotov cocktail of face melting thrash. Giving the band an extra unique element are the melodic variances which can capture the attention of any music fan and introduce them to the genre and moreover to The Catalyst.

Comprised of ex-members of various Montreal established acts the Catalyst adopts a no-nonsense approach to their music and drive to succeed. Without following trends or giving into gimmicks, The Catalyst take an honest approach to true metal and it's roots without making any apologies.

"You see so many bands trying to emulate bands of the past and it often comes across as insincere, we're trying to just be ourselves and write the kind of music we've been listening to for years now, our influences are very diverse among the 5 of us and I think that is what gives us our identity and sound" says bassist Mike Marino.

Embracing ”do it yourself” work ethic, the group has already began to develop a fanbase for their unique blend of thrash metal. The group goes to great lengths to convey the most energetic possible live show to their fans and leave them wanting more.

The group is set to record their debut record with acclaimed metal producer and Anonymus axe wielder J-F Fortin(Neuraxis) starting in March 2009. Through determination focus and a never say die attitude, this record will be the unleashing of The Catalyst's unique brand of thrash on the masses. Be prepared


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Montreal has quickly become the hotbed for heavy music, producing some of metal’s finest extreme exports like Despised Icon, Beneath the Massacre, Ion Dissonance, Kataklysm and Cryptopsy. The Catalyst - which consists of guitarists G. McDonagh and Justin Deguire, bassist Mike Marino, drummer Denis Potapov and vocalist Matt Bailie, are no exception.

The group’s unique brand of thrash metal fuses together elements of the genre’s founding fathers (Metallica, Testament, Megadeth, Pantera) and the... (read more)