Catalyst is the perfect name for the new EP from UK rockers Dorje, its sound and songs the sure spark to major attention and a greedy appetite in a great many for the band’s inventively fiery sound. It is an offering lying somewhere sound wise between Soundgarden, Audio Slave, Alter Bridge, and Tool but with a freshness and invention which across its five tracks shows exactly why there is a rich buzz around the quartet.
Technically impressive and captivating with a sound built on rousing grooves and inflame melodic imagination, Dorje imaginatively draw on varied flavours from the likes of blues, jazz, metal, and a diverse mix of muscular rock ‘n’ roll. What emerges is a rich and enjoyable persuasion that is unafraid to merge recognisable hues and flavours into the band’s own skilful textures and magnetically resourceful enterprise. Catalyst roars with this impassioned recipe, and though it may not blow ears and the passions away, it certainly leaves a hungry appetite and intrigue for more in its wake.
Written is first up upon the band’s second EP and straight away a guitar stirs up attention with its raw and slightly grizzled coaxing. In a swift breath or two, the dark throaty bass lures cast by Dave Hollingworth join the expanding flames springing from the of guitars of Rabea Massaad and Rob Chapman, with the latter’s vocals make an equally strong impression as they join the captivating sinew driven mix. The beats of Ben Minal cage it all in a restrained but potent frame as Hollingworth’s craft continues to be a dark magnet in a song blossoming an off-kilter and delicious passage of imagination soaked avant-garde adventure. It is a moment reinforcing early recognition of the great unpredictability which also lurks within the band’s potent tempting, a twist turning a strong track into something special especially as it continues to add riveting spice to the remainder of the impressive song.
The potent start continues with the EP’s title track, the song as its predecessor, making a controlled and alluring start but soon, once it has found its creative feet, brewing into and expanding into an imagination fuelled exploration. Admittedly the track never ventures as boldly as the opener but entangling familiar and fresh enterprise in a technically sculpted web of enticement only leaves ears and pleasure full; a hungry satisfaction wanting more and duly fed by Aeromancy. Encircling the senses in another maze of technical prowess and heavy rock predation as emotive as it is rapacious, the song blazes away as it takes the listener through its multitude of layers and robustly dynamic textures.
A more relaxed embrace and enticement comes with the excellent All next, the band creating an enthralling croon as provocative as it is progressively charming and holding a touch of UAE band Absolace and Porcupine Tree to its enticing flavouring. As expected, the song carries an attitude to its breath and predatory air to its invention which invigorates the warmer side of its infectious character, both sides closely colluding as the track works its way to a tempestuously compelling and exhilarating climax.
Closing track White Dove is a more formula heavy rock bait of sound which personally did not whip up the same excitement as those before it yet leaves only fill satisfaction behind with its old school meets grunge feel. It is an eager slice of the kind of rock ‘n roll which never fails to go down well though, an inflamed storm ensuring Catalyst leaves a potent last impression.
Dorje are cultivating something very flavoursome and indeed striking as the Catalyst EP powerfully reveals but equally there is open potential of broader and bolder things to come which means current rich enjoyment is leading to keen anticipation for what comes next, a reaction as ripe as the pleasure found in this new roar.
The Catalyst EP is out now via most online stores.
https://www.facebook.com/dorjeband http://www.dorje.tv
Pete RingMaster 10/11/2015
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