We Are The Catalyst

We Are The Catalyst

We Are The Catalyst are an alternative metal group from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band forms in 2012 and features Cat Fey, Kenny Boufadene, Joni Kaartinen and Håkan Strind. Before forming the group, the members spend years touring with their former band One Without, a modern metal act that shares bills with bands including Dead By April, Evergrey and Katatonia, and releases albums on Lifeforce Records and other labels.

Releases and early activity

The band’s debut EP, Panem Et Circenses, appears in 2013 and gains critical and fan support, leading to placements on several major soundtracks and video airplay in more than 20 countries. Their debut album, Monuments, follows in 2014 and is released worldwide by Ferocity Records. The group also releases a single version of “Don’t You Worry Child”, which addresses child abuse and directs its profits to The Fostering Network to support children in need of homes.

Touring and live shows

We Are The Catalyst play their first live show in 2015, then tour China for 10 days, including an appearance at the Sound of the Xity music expo in Beijing and shows at the Strawberry Festival in Shanghai, where they headline the Planet Stage. In the same period, they win first prize in a competition organised by Metal Hammer, Bloodstock and Delain, which leads to an appearance at Bloodstock Open Air alongside acts such as Trivium, Sabaton and Within Temptation, as well as an opening slot for Delain in Birmingham. They also undertake their first UK headline tour of 13 dates and later headline the second stage at Planet Rockstock, alongside bands including The Darkness, FM and Rival Sons.

Later material

The band’s album Elevation follows in 2016. It is described as darker, heavier and more emotional than earlier work, while keeping the group’s melodic modern metal style.