Detroit based melodic rockers Category 5 have just released their debut Ep, 'Off The Ivory Coast' through Reel Time Records. The 5 song mini album is bookended by two in-your-face scorching rockers, "Lost In Legacy" and "7 Daze Warning" and filled out by the more mid tempo tracks, "Home Again", "I Wonder" and "Party If You Want To." Hitting off with "Lost In Legacy" the track has a driving backbeat and kicks the Ep off in fine style. The mid tempo "Home Again" is the first song written by the band and showcases Perry Zaremba's powerful vocals, while "I Wonder" has a haunting melody and is a reflection of bass player George Koch's memories of his well respected mother.
"Party If You Want To" changes things up a bit, featuring a lighthearted groove and a sax piece played by special guest Dave Whitelaw. Finishing off the album is the high powered "7 Daze Warning" and is a tale of the beginnings of Category 5, similar to Boston's "Rock N' Roll Band" or Pink Floyd's "Have A Cigar."
Within the five songs on offer the band's varied influences such as melodic metal, prog rock, jazz and even country are very much evident to the listener. "Our songs are inspired by many different influences and are motivated by our ever changing experiences in life. We are looking for people who will enjoy the irony of a Category 5 that can't be categorized. I am having so much fun right now. I love the act of creation."
Forming in Detroit, MI at the end of 2006, Category 5 came to be when lead guitarist Joe Czentnar put an ad in a local paper looking for a singer. From that ad Czentnar met Perry Zaremba, "After meeting about 50 people and listening to a modified version of really bad American Idol auditions. This also entails meeting some people that you would and should never allow in your home!" Hanging on to Zaremba's number. Continuing his search Joe began playing with other musicians and soon found guitarist / keyboardist Kevin Davis with another band and the band eventually brought bass player George Koch and drummer Kenny Morss
Czentnar had gained a bit of notoriety in the late 90's when he played with internationally acclaimed prog rock band Twist Of Fate, earning a Grammy nomination for their Bob Ludwig mastered album. He also shared the stage with artists such as Ted Nugent, John Waite and Mitch Ryder during that time. "With Category 5, I have the luxury of being in a band in which all members write and it's not as intense a situation as my previous band. We have a lot of fun and that's really what it should be about, isn't it? We challenge each other musically and that makes it an exciting experience."
Off The Ivory Coast will be available from your favourite import dealers as well as in select mom and pop stores and big box chains including Best Buy. The Ep is also currently on iTunes and on Amazon in download format.
