KATAPULT is a Swiss melodic death metal band formed in 2017. They released their first single in 2018 titled Siege, Destroy, Annihilate then followed that up with two EP's in 2020. A Fistful of Truth was put out in spring of 2020 and Shut the Fuck Up and Press Play followed that up in the fall. Both of the EP's were released independently. In 2022, the band signed on to Discouraged Records and in the summer released two singles and another in the fall, for the their first album Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes.

KATAPULT comes across as the kind of band that is looking for a good time and doesn't take themselves over the top seriously. The music is dominated by very catchy hooks, intensity and thrash proud lyrics and rhythm. After the short opening track containing one of those catchy hooks the album comes alive with the track "Comfortably Dumb". With the lyrics rotating around the global fucking over of the "little guy", the music is in your face combination of punk, melodic metal and thrash metal that has a stand out guitar solo. "The Hands of the Devil" has a ground shaking bass line and elements of GOJIRA within the guitars. The vocals are a raspy scream but are clearly audible. A love story gone bad is the track "Sweetheart Come" with the drums developing a high tempo as the guitars ring off single notes with dark mellow picking. The song does match the drums in aggression but walks a darkened path until the end.

"Litany of Spirals" opens with heavy pounding bass and is heavily melodically influenced by the guitars, but Florian and Joel are able to present creativity and variations without being constricted solely to the set melody. The album has no shortage of riffs to please any fan of melodic heavy metal or catchy choruses that stick in your head. "Invite the Sin" is a prime example, an offering to the melodic ballad gods. "Oh God For One More Breath" is a rise and fall of intensity while the vocals of Johan enter and conquer the track with a deep emotional stand. The track is a keep it simple stupid approach to songwriting and allowing the rhythm section to pound away with a steady assault gives this track what it needs to be a decent written song.

You have a lot to like from their first full length release if  you are anticipating an aggressive dose of thrash metal paired with melodic metal, you have come to the right place. Though you could say a few tracks, if you are looking to pick the release apart, have more potential then what was offered, you would have a valid argument. But to focus on the positives would be a much easier path to stray, solid guitar work, active and pummeling bass driving the rhythm sections and emotional vocals contribute to this solid release.