Catherine

Sacramento-based Catherine is a metal/post-hardcore hybrid not to be confused with the Chicago alternative rock act that came together in the mid-'80s. Along with their thematically positive lyrics, Catherine looked to differentiate themselves from many of their metal peers by forgoing a dark, death-oriented moniker in favor of Catherine, as it was apparently a sort of combination of the words Catholic and Christian. Their lineup settled down around 2004 and included vocalist Bryan Lemasters, guitarists Robert Tobin and Jesse Alejandrez, drummer Julio Garcia, and bassist Paul Vicory. The guys signed to Oregon's Rise Records in the spring of 2006 and issued their debut album, Rumor Has It: Astaroth Has Stolen Your Eyes, that August. Plenty of touring followed before their schedule was suddenly halted at the year's end after the departure of Lemasters. ~ Corey Apar