Interviews

Adrian Russo - KALATONE 'The Search for Tone'

KJ Draven

Jun 5, 2025

8 min read

Gold Coast metal band Katalone have been gigging around south east Queensland for a while now, drawing great reviews and rabid applause. Their songs are a throwback to 90s alt metal, combining early Tool’s prog tendencies with the melodies of Alice in Chains and a bit of their own grunt.

They’ve just released their debut EP, Pathways, which shows off their musical chops and deep lyricism. It’s the start of an exciting few months for the band, with appearances in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the enormous festival. I got in touch with bassist Adrian Russo to get the low down on their songwriting, approach to live performance and where they’d like to go next.

‍Congrats on the new EP, Pathways. What has the journey been to get these tunes out to people?

It’s been a real grind and a real joy. We’ve spent months carving out a sound that’s true to us—raw, heavy, and honest.

Every track on Pathways is a reflection of the time we’ve spent shaping this band from the ground up, and finally getting it out there feels like a huge release.

With the culmination of all the band members finally coming together, the EP is essentially a by product and celebration of our different paths that it took to get here. Hence “Pathways”.

What song do you suggest people check out first if they want to know what the band is about?

'Firestarter' is a great entry point—it’s fiery, rocky, hooky, and hits that sweet spot between grit and melody. It really captures the energy we bring both in studio and on stage.

You’ve already made waves with your live performances, one fan I spoke to said you were incredibly well polished. How do you translate the technical aspects of a song like ‘Chosen Ones’?

Thanks, that means a lot. With 'Chosen Ones', it’s all about tight coordination—we rehearse the transitions hard so the dynamics land right, and we’ve dialled in our tones to create the feel we need. The rest is simply letting the song breathe so the crowd can really lap it up.

You’ve got some big gigs coming up. Rock is Not Dead 2 should be a riot. Given you’ve got a unique sound, how do you select a setlist to stand out on these bills?

We lean into the diversity of our set—some heavier hitters to open strong, a couple of melodic curveballs to show depth, and always something big to close. It’s about flow, pacing, and leaving people wanting more.

Any plans to gig beyond Queensland?

Absolutely—we’re eyeing interstate shows later this year and Europe is on the radar for 2026. We’ve got roots in the Gold Coast and Brisbane scenes, but we’re ready to push further.

There’s five pretty deep tracks on the EP. Are there any other songs you’ve saved for future release that might get an airing at your upcoming shows?

Yeah, we’ve definitely got more in the tank. A few unreleased ones are already sneaking into the live sets—we like road-testing them to see what lands before locking them in for future releases.

There’s an obvious 90s vibe to the EP. What three records should fans check out if they want to understand the bands that influence you?

Start with Ænima by Tool, Dirt by Alice in Chains and Superunknown by Soundgarden. That’ll give you a solid sense of the sonic and emotional DNA we pull from.

What’s your dream support or festival gig?

Supporting maybe Karnivool, TOOL, or any other amazing rock/prog rock inspired artists. And playing a festival circuit in Europe would be unreal. Something with that big rock community energy where bands and fans are all in.

What's the future hold for the band now the EP is out and shows have been announced?

We’re just getting started—more gigs, more writing, and aiming to hit the studio again later this year.

The goal is to keep growing and keep connecting with the people who dig what we do.

Any final thoughts?

Just a massive thanks to anyone who’s listened, shared, or come to a show. This EP is for anyone who’s ever felt something deep and needed to turn it up loud.

Interview by KJ Draven @kjdraven

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Stream Pathways here.