KALATONE - Pathways (EP Review)

KALATONE - Pathways
Released: June 6, 2025

LineUp

Tim Pitchford // Vocals 
Gavin Storkey // Guitar
Adrian Russo // Bass
Dave Kemp // Drums

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Gold Coast band KALATONE are channeling some pretty strong 90s vibes on their debut EP, Pathways. It’s an alt-metal sound that recalls Tool, Alice in Chains and a little Disturbed. Whilst there’s a thousand bands who are influenced by those names, KALATONE are a throwback that feels fresh in the current scene. 

Like a lot of debut releases it conveys a definite sense of identity. The first two tracks lean a little more towards playlist listening, as ‘Signs’ features Tim Pitchford’s wailing vocals over a variety of musical moods, from cruising lounge to prog rock. It’s a slow burn, it crawls rather than leaps out of speakers, but Pitchford gives the chorus all he’s got. ‘Chosen Ones’ is similar musically, though Pitchford shows off his falsetto to give it a different dimension. It’s here that they exist somewhere between the aforementioned influences, with a dash of local legends Caligula’s Horse. It’s quiet and contemplative, with the instruments intersecting and diverging between verses and chorus, building to an extended bridge and giving Gavin Storkey ample room to roar on guitar. 

It’s a remarkably well put together release with each band member getting moments to shine. ‘Fire Starter’ is a bass player's delight, with Adrian Russo picking out the riff on the verses as guitar chords come in waves and the drums keep rhythm on the toms. It’s still got a lengthy wah wah guitar solo and Pitchford gets to hold an epic note leading into the final chorus. The moody ‘Ghost Inside My Shell’ has a grunge vibe with guitar, bass and drums jamming as Pitchford croons about being “so far from heaven, not from hell”. It lacks the grunge production of three decades ago but the clarity of each instrument is such that it’s more prog than you might expect. 

‘Nostalgia’ mixes up the songwriting, with a slower tempo giving Pitchford the chance to experiment with tone and character in his voice. It’s a familiar trip though and at the end of the five tracks it’s probably enough. In order for it to really be progressive it needs to be a little more daring. It has served as a great palette cleanser for me, it’s totally free of the very obvious metalcore tropes that dominate the scene, but Pathways is arguably too much the sum of their influences when they’ll need to break the form to really stand out. 

There aren’t a lot of bands that sound like this anymore. If you’re sick of waiting for older bands like Tool and Alice in Chains to release new music, put this on and revel in the sonic nostalgia. KATALONE have a high musical IQ but the Pathways EP only hints at their potential to be a difference maker. 

Rating: 6.5/10
‍Pathways is out June 6, 2025. Pre Save here. 
Words by KJ Draven @kjdraven