When your press release screams “4 million YouTube hits a month,” it’s difficult not to emit a decisive sneer, but in the case of virtuoso supergroup Dorje the boast is entirely with merit. The ability on show here is mind-blowing and it’s no surprise that the foour members are as influential as they are through online tuition and demonstrations.
Being able to crank out solos online is all well and good, but can the 4 wizards meld their collective talents together into something cohesive enough to be considered a band? In short, yes they can and with aplomb! Firmly hitting the button marked ‘hard rock’, sophomore EP ‘Catalyst’ is a supremely polished 5-tracker that will appeal as much to fans of Within Temptation and Lacuna Coil as it will Guns ‘N’ Roses. There’s a strong Tool influence in the sound as well, but fans of the erstwhile alt-rock legends are likely to find the verse-chorus-verse structure on ‘Catalyst’ a little too straightforward overall.
Interestingly, the classiest moment on the EP comes in the shape of closing track ‘White Dove’, which is an out-and-out sleazy rocker full of tricks and licks. Dorje are tight as fuck as a band and this EP is terrific fun. Whether it takes them global remains to be seen but for now, the hype is well and truly realised.
3.5/5
’Catalyst’ EP by Dorje is released on 6th November.
Words by Rob Fearnley.
