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Catatonic Overload – Make RAW Not WAR - Part Two

Label: Theracords
Catalog#: THER-057
Released: 15 Jun 2011
Style: Hardstyle

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I was cruising through the Hardstyle.com catalog and was thinking to myself "Hmm.. what can I review this week". There are plenty of cool releases to review, but I think it's time for something different. Introduce the world to something harder, something fresh and then the new Catatonic Overload E.P caught my eye.
I personally haven't had the chance to check this E.P out, but I decided to crack open the previews and give it a listen. Let's just say, I immediately got writing and this E.P has already landed in my shopping cart.

Catatonic Overload are one of the "main" guys at Theracords (a record label run by DJ Thera, which has seen a large explosion in its fanbase). Catatonic Overload has already produced a bucket load of tracks which have been met with quite some enthousiasm, including a remix of "Illusions" which has been produced by our very own The DizZorder and R-Tillary.
What's special about Catatonic Overload is that their sound has a (late) earlies sound to it (a sound dating back from approx. 2004-2006 ? - correct me if I'm wrong... years are getting blurry for this old man), but their tracks usually have a modern day rawer sound to them. And this E.P is no different.

I'm going to give you a quick rundown of this E.P and my thoughts on each track (judging by the previews).

Goddamn
The first thing that blasts through my new and improved earbuds is a Rap vocal followed by a funky synth / kick combination. It's funny, but the bleeping sound kind of reminds me of Tek. So, I'm having a hard time not imagining a group of Tekkers doing the "pogo dance" at a party when this drops. Of course, this is far from Tek and I doubt their hairdo's could withstand the havoc this beast will inflict on them.
The rap vocal used next really adds some excitement and energy to the track. The vocal has been laid out to the beat and... I love it!
The kick used isn't exactly a pounder. Well, it is.. but it's still bouncy enough thanks to the reverse bassline, which has also been done well.
About 3/4ths of the way through the track, the guys have decided to turn it up a notch and give this track that raw sound I mentioned previously, with a whopper of a kick. Too bad they didn't lay this down for the remainder of the track because that's one hell of a load of energy!

All I can say is... God damn! This is a great track.

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Overtime
I have a feeling "Overtime" is a slightly harder track than "Goddamn", mainly due to the kicks used and the energy created throughout the track.
Starting off with a nice kick and a really cool reverse bassline which has been given a slight reverb make-over, it's a great combination with the screech sound. You know... now I know why DJ Thera is such a beast behind the decks. When he gets to play tracks like this during his performances, I'd also be fist pumping like a mad man!
Catatonic Overload aren't much of the melody-lovers and why should they be. Hardstyle doesn't need to be packed with melodies to create a brilliant atmosphere. Even though I adore great melodies in Hardstyle, I can equally appreciate great pounders like this which literally takes the no bullshit stance and just makes you fist pump from beginning to end.
This is just another amazing track on this (up 'til now) awesome E.P!

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S.I.T.E
Well well, above I was talking about melodies and then I blast this through my earbuds and what do I hear? A melody, albeit it a very simple one.
Got to say though, personally, this track doesn't have the level of energy the previous tracks do. But, the kick they used is pretty brutal. It reminds me of the one they used in the track "Paralyzed". Great energy with a hollow(ish) beater sound (aka: Tok) and a nice, simplistic bassline.
Much like the previous tracks, "S.I.T.E" is one to clench your fists, grind your teeth and shatter those feet to.
The raw sounds used throughout the track really give the whole track that extra Catatonic Overload feeling. These guys have found the reciepe to their unique sound and you can pretty much pick their productions out, no mistake!

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As my heart slowly recuperates from all the excitement and energy that has violated my body this early in the morning, I'm kind of already regretting that coffee I had just moments before, because this E.P has just given me an extra energy boost to pull me through the day.
I was quite surprised by this release. I know Catatonic Overload are great producers who always manage to build up a surge of energy to make anyone dance.
Nonetheless, I'm glad I gave this E.P a chance to win me over and I think many of you will feel the same once you give the whole thing a listen.
If you love raw sounds and just "straight on" Hardstyle with no bells and whistles and frilly thingamabobs then this is surely one for your collection.
Great productions and something Thera (and Theracords) are undoubtably very proud of!

So, give it a listen (or a read and a listen) and let me know what you think in the comment section BELLOOOWWWW (cfr. RWJ)