The Catalyst / Brainworms

This split 7” features two up-and-comers from the hardcore punk scene of Richmond, VA: The Catalyst and Brainworms.

Brianworms is up first with two cuts. “Winnie Cooper” takes to the less caustic sound we heard on the band’s previous release. The song is a lot more indie rock than hardcore or punk; at times it reminds me of The (International) Noise Conspiracy. “Art Thou Bored” follows and walks the line between abrasive hardcore and indie rock, the heavier side of the genre, if that makes sense.

The flip side features The Catalyst. They offer up three songs of fast-paced hardcore punk with a gritty feel. “Born with a Buzz” mixes in some of The Melvins into their sound, which really gives the band a unique sound. “Dunna Nannuna” is a straight forward venomous outburst of punishing metallic hardcore. They close their side out with an instrumental piece; a mixture of grunge-esque guitars and mid-tempo punk.

Overall, this is a pretty solid split from two bands that I continue to keep tabs on as they’re doing something just a little different from the rest of their peers. If you want some hardcore punk that doesn’t fit a mold, check both these bands out.

7.0 / 10 — Michael