Catharsis is a neoclassic powermetalband from Moskou. According to the enclosed band-information, they seem to be pretty popular in Rusland. After two doom/deathmetal demo’s Catharsis changed their musical style into progressive powermetal with neoclassical influences. Their previous album FEBRIS EROTICA (´99) was good received in the Russian music-press according to the included information. Well, enough big words, let’s go the music: DEA is a 36 minutes album with 7 songs of which 2 instrumentals. The first song `IGNI ET FERRO` is what you can call typical neoclassic-powermetal. It starts with a somewhat clumsy-played pipe-organ intro, then turning into a Stratovarious kind of song. Fairly fast and with cliché classical melodies. What strikes me is the good production, but originality is far away and their singer is yelling a bit annoying and un-inspired in the verses. Remarkable point is that only 2 songs of the album could be compared to powermetal,the others are much slower and atmospheric like Within Temptation(ENTER-era).

In `A TRIP INTO ELYSIUM` their solo-guitarist does a good job in messing-up a sensitive solo-spot, playing the higher notes nearly out of tune.Argh! After the emotionless played `ETUDE ¹1 A-MOLL FOR PIANO, OP.1`, (ever heard a robot playing an etude?) the band is back with up-tempo metal in `PRO MEMORIA`.It sounds fat but not everywhere that tight,except for the drums. A moderate instrumental called `…INTO OBLIVION` closes the album. Doesn’t make me happy either. To conclude: It is obvious that this album lacks decent compositions. Drumming is good, the keys have a decent supporting role, but the solo-guitars and vocals are weak and the music is too incoherent. A reasonable release, though not good enough to compete on the international market.