A new supergroup with Overkill, Exodus, and ex-Machine Head members just hit the rock scene. Category 7 recently announced their formation with a joint Instagram post.
The caption under a band photo by Rob Shotwell read:
“Stoked to announce the newest addition to the Metal Blade family: Category 7! Featuring John Bush, Phil Demmel, Mike Orlando, Jack Gibson, and Jason Bittner, to its legendary roster! A true force to be reckoned with!”
The post also included frontman John Bush’s press release:
“Mike Orlando’s and Phil Demmel’s awesome riffs made writing lyrics over the music a piece of cake. The rhythm tandem of Bittner and Gibson rounded out the sound, and the connection felt like it was put together in the stars. Obviously, everyone being a veteran of the metal scene made it that much easier.”
Their First Record Is Arriving Soon
Category 7’s debut album will come out this summer, ‘with the first taste of tunes to be unveiled on May 2.’
The supergroup signed with Phil Demmel and Bush’s longtime label Metal Blade Records for their upcoming album. The company founder, Brian Slagel, said the following about the signing:
“Happy to welcome Category 7 into the Metal Blade family. Of course, some of them are already in! Seriously love working with this crew, and it’s great stuff!”
Demmel and Orlando talked about creating a new band with twin lead guitars a while ago. Overkill’s Jason Bittner and Exodus’s Jack Gibson joined the discussions soon after.
The team recorded some demos of early material. Then, they welcomed ex-Anthrax singer John Bush to the lineup.