Category 7, the new heavy metal collective featuring the lineup of John Bush (Armored Saint, Anthrax), Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob, Sonic Universe, Noturnall), Phil Demmel (Machine Head, Kerry King, Vio-Lence), Jack Gibson (Exodus) and Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall, Overkill), has unleashed its latest single, “Exhausted.” The track comes by way of the band’s self-titled debut full-length, set for release on July 26, 2024, through Metal Blade Records (pre-order here). Watch the video below.
Named after the numerical designation for the most powerful windstorms, Category 7 came together from a batch of musicians who strived to play music they loved and weren’t hearing elsewhere and wanted to do so with bandmates they enjoyed being with.
“It’s all about big verses and big songs, and it has a lot of the elements we’ve explored in our other bands,” guitarist and main songwriter Mike Orlando said.
“Insomnia happens more frequently as I’ve aged,” singer John Bush said. “Usually in connection with nightly visits to the loo. The frustration to just slumber and dream only makes matters worse. This is all a little exaggerated for me ‘cause people truly struggle with this, using medication or whatever remedy will hopefully solve the problem. Truth be told, my primary goal is to avoid all those deep dark thoughts in the middle of the night that seem to grow because I just can’t sleep. Zillion? Mr. Cooper.”
“Category 7” was produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Orlando at Sonic Stomp Studios with art and layout by Carlos Fides at Artside Studio (Angra, Evergrey, Kamelot). The record will be available on CD and digital formats, as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
- Storm Surge (US + EU)
- Sable Smoke (EU – Ltd. 300)
“Category 7″ track listing:
1. In Stitches
2. Land I Used to Love
3. Apple of Discord
4. Exhausted
5. Runaway Truck
6. White Flags & Bayonets
7. Mousetrap
8. Waver at the Breaking Point
9. Through Pink Eyes
10. Etter Stormen
Category 7 previously released a video for its first single, “In Stitches.”
