Catacomb: Man At Arms EP Review
Catacomb is an emotional hardcore band based in the Middle Tennessee area that formed in early 2025 to strong acclaim within the local hardcore scene. The band blends multiple strands of emo-influenced hardcore, pulling from chaotic screamo, aggressive emoviolence, and the crushing weight of emotional hardcore, particularly within their breakdowns.
They first released their debut EP, Our Memories Together Are a Torn Scrapbook, as both a showcase of their developing sound and a way to build a fanbase before ever playing a live show. Months later, in August 2025, Catacomb released their second EP, Remove the Faceplate, a record that pushed them into the spotlight an
d solidified their place in the regional scene. Most recently, on February 16, 2026, they unveiled their third release, Man At Arms, which introduces a noticeably more aggressive edge than their previous material.
Man At Arms Track Breakdown
Featuring four tracks—Push, Shove, Sonnet of a Thousand Dead Soldiers, and Fort Sumter—Man At Arms is emotionally devastating both instrumentally and lyrically. Each song feels intentional, raw, and fully committed to its message. Below is my personal rating and impression of each track.
Catacomb’s Man At Arms EP cover art, created by @gnarled.folds.in.my.ribs on Instagram
★★★★☆ — Push
The opening track sets the tone for the EP immediately. It begins with a sample from Apocalypse Now (1979), featuring Colonel Kurtz (played by Marlon Brando):
“You have no right to call me a murderer. You have a right to kill me… but you have no right to judge me.”
The lyrics tell a story of sacrifice and emotional devastation in service of another person. Instrumentally, it strikes a balance between tension and release, making it a strong introduction to the record.
★★★★★ — Shove
The second—and shortest—track on the EP is also its most furious. Shove channels anger born from separation and alienation from someone once deeply cared for, compounded by uncertainty surrounding their health. A somber midsection briefly softens the blow before exploding into a frantic, aggressive ending. This track is my personal favorite on the EP.
★★★★★ — Sonnet of a Thousand Dead Soldiers
While the lyrics initially read like a song of war, they ultimately serve as a metaphor for a deeply personal internal battle with loss. The emotional weight builds steadily before collapsing into a crushing breakdown near the end—one that stands among my recent favorites within the genre.
★★★★★ — Fort Sumter
As the EP’s closing track, Fort Sumter opens with bass, drums, and spoken word passages that convey the quiet hopelessness of losing someone close. The song gradually erupts into an emoviolence blast beat layered with anguished screams. Though the track is steeped in resentment toward someone who has wronged the narrator, its anger gives way halfway through to a mournful, melodic buildup. The final return to aggression feels heavier and more grief-stricken than before, transforming the rage into mourning.
Interview with Xander (Vocals / Rhythm Guitar)
To gain more insight into the creation of Man At Arms, I spoke with Xander, Catacomb’s lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist.
Q: What was your biggest inspiration for the new sound of the EP?
A: The biggest inspiration for the new sound— I wouldn’t say “twinkly,” but we’re definitely trying to make more complex riffs. Kind of math-y, but still keeping it grounded in a traditional screamo sound.
Q: Which track took the longest to finalize?
A: Probably the last track, because all of us had just learned that song the day before recording. It took us about ten tries to really lock it in.
Q: How did you decide on the title Man At Arms?
A: I’d been doing a lot of research on military history for a school assignment and got really into the Civil War. I originally wanted to call it Master at Arms, which is a military police title—especially in the Navy—but I ended up shortening it to Man At Arms.
Q: Which track was your favorite to play live at the release show?
A: Probably Sonnet of a Thousand Dead Soldiers, just because of that breakdown at the end.
Conclusion
With Man At Arms, Catacomb continues to prove that they are more than just a promising local act. The EP refines the emotional chaos of their earlier releases while pushing their sound into heavier, more confrontational territory. It is a record steeped in grief, anger, and reflection—one that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. If this release is any indication of what lies ahead, Catacomb is well on their way to becoming a defining presence within the modern screamo and emotional hardcore landscape.
Upcoming Performances
Upcoming Live Dates (as of April 2026):
- Spring–Summer 2026: Regional shows across Middle Tennessee
(Specific dates and venues to be announced)
Fans are encouraged to follow Catacomb on social media for official show announcements and tour updates.
Discography
- 2025 — Our Memories Together Are a Torn Scrapbook (EP)
- 2025 — Remove the Faceplate (EP)
- 2026 — Man At Arms (EP)
