Released by two stellar labels, Perpetual Motion Machine and Electric Human Project, Two Thousand and Six Six Six is a split between two up and coming Virginian bands, Northern Virginia's Mass Movement of the Moth and Richmond's The Catalyst. Two Thousand and Six Six Six is a very collective effort, with the bands switching from song to song instead of having an A side and B side. The bands recorded together in April, and each band serves up an instrumental track to go along with their unique brands of hardcore. And while each band still seems to be searching to reach their full potential, Two Thousand and Six Six Six is still a very solid record.
Mass Movement of the Moth continues with to keep the releases rolling with Two Thousand and Six Six Six, and also manages to keep evolving as a band as well. Unlike previous efforts, the bands ditched their death metal growls for a catchier, post-hardcore sound. While it is certainly a different and calmer Mass Movement of the Moth, it is definitely not a worse Mass Movement of the Moth, as the band continues to deliver as each new record is released. While the vocals may have changed, the sound is still synthesizer filled, with the bass and guitars complementing it very well to give the sound a more complete feel. Mass Movement Of the Moth's only slipup comes in the middle of the record with "The Trickery Of Tom Sawyer", where the vocals simply seem to die as the song goes on until it feels like it is behind the music, leaving for a very drawn out feel. The song is easily forgotten though, as the band's instrumental effort, "Lightning," comes up next to steal the whole album. The pop based, synthesizer filled, electric piano laced song is the best on Two Thousand and Six Six Six, and a great way to help finish the album.
On the other side, or at least every other song, The Catalyst delivers a brand of punk that straddles the line between hardcore and grunge, making for a very distorted and unique brand of music. When the band is on, they are definitely on, and as a young band show their great potential. With "Panic Don't Panic", "Smoke Crack Worship Satan", and "Jesus Garcia", the band is able to draw out their songs lyrically and musically, which leads to a very exciting, genre bending result. However, besides these songs the band seems to still be searching to reach the standard set by the songs mentioned above. With "Three Ring Binder As Makeshift Monster " and "Eating People is Easy", the band only writes a few lines of lyrics and relies more on their intensity to carry the song through. However, when the band is able to develop their songs, they show they are a force to be reckoned with in Virginia hardcore.
