Cataract

Although originally formed with a hardcore mindset, in 1998, Switzerland's Cataract quickly adopted a harder, metallic edge to their songwriting, finding their true calling as a metalcore act in the vein of Hatebreed or Heaven Shall Burn. After a few demos and compilation appearances, the quintet (featuring vocalist Mosh, guitarists Greg and Simon Fuellemann, bassist Michi, and drummer Ricky) released their debut album, Golem, through Ferret Records, in 2000. New frontman Fedi (aka Federico Carminitana) arrived in time for the following year's Martyr's Melodies EP and Cataract's first tour of the U.S. (supporting Poison the Well, Nora, and others), after which they returned to Switzerland and began recording their second full-length, The Great Days of Vengeance — unleashed in 2003 by Germany's LifeForce Recordings. Yet another label switch awaited, and come 2004, Cataract's third long-player, With Triumph Comes Loss, was released by American metal stalwart Metal Blade.