Catherine

Hailing from Sacramento, Catherine merges metal with post-hardcore in a style distinct from the unrelated Chicago alternative rock band that formed during the mid-1980s. Positive thematic content in the lyrics further set the group apart from many metal contemporaries, who typically adopted ominous, death-centric names; instead, Catherine was selected as a blend of the words Catholic and Christian. The lineup coalesced around 2004 with Bryan Lemasters handling vocals, Robert Tobin and Jesse Alejandrez on guitars, Julio Garcia behind the drums, and Paul Vicory on bass. Spring 2006 brought a contract with Oregon’s Rise Records, followed by the August release of the debut album Rumor Has It: Astaroth Has Stolen Your Eyes. A stretch of touring came next, only to end abruptly at the close of the year when Lemasters departed.