Quantum Catastrophe

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Quantum Catastrophe

| type = studio

| artist = Brain Drill

| cover = Quantum Catastrophe cover.jpg

| alt =

| released = May 11, 2010

| recorded = December 2009 – January 2010 at Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland, California, United States

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Technical death metal

| length = 41:49

| label = Metal Blade

| producer = Brain Drill, Zach Ohren

| prev_title = Apocalyptic Feasting

| prev_year = 2008

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

Quantum Catastrophe is the second studio album by American technical death metal band Brain Drill, released through Metal Blade on May 11, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/134694|title=Brain Drill release tracklisting for Quantum Catastrophe|date=March 17, 2010|work=BW&BK|access-date=May 17, 2010}} After the release of their debut album Apocalyptic Feasting in February 2008, the band almost broke up with the departure of drummer Marco Pitruzzella and bassist Jeff Hughell in March 2008.{{cite news|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/85855|title=Brain Drill break up|date=March 20, 2008|work=BW&BK|access-date=May 18, 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/86974|title=Brain Drill to carry on|date=April 8, 2008|work=BW&BK|access-date=May 18, 2010}} The remaining members, guitarist Dylan Ruskin and vocalist Steve Rathjen decided to continue with the band, and from May to September 2008, auditioned for bassists and drummers.{{cite news|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/90585|title=Brain Drill trying out new drummers|date=May 30, 2008|work=BW&BK|access-date=May 18, 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/95960|title=Brain Drill introduce new drummer, auditioning bassists|date=September 2, 2008|work=BW&BK|access-date=May 18, 2010}} In September 2008, the band announced drummer Joe Bondra and bassist Ivan Munguia as replacements.{{cite news|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/96560|title=Brain Drill announce new bassist|date=September 11, 2008|work=BW&BK|access-date=May 18, 2010}} Bondra was replaced by drummer Ron Casey and this new lineup began work on the album in August 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/119262|title=Brain Drill is currently writing their sophomore record|date=August 5, 2009|work=BW&BK|access-date=May 18, 2010}} Quantum Catastrophe was recorded between December 2009{{cite news|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/128542|title=Brain Drill finish recording new album|date=December 16, 2009|work=BW&BK|access-date=May 18, 2010}} and January 2010{{cite news|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/130559|title=Brain Drill completes work on Quantum Catastrophe|date=January 19, 2010|work=BW&BK|access-date=May 18, 2010}} at Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland, California with co-producer Zach Ohren (Suffocation, Decrepit Birth, All Shall Perish), who also engineered and mastered the album along with the band. It is the only album to feature bassist Ivan Munguia and drummer Ron Casey. It is also the last album to feature vocalist Steve Rathjen{{cite web|url=http://www.noisecreep.com/2010/04/02/brain-drill-quantum-catastrophe-new-album?icid=sphere_aol_noisecreep_inline|title=Brain Drill, 'Quantum Catastrophe' featuring interview |last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|date=April 2, 2010|work=Noisecreep|publisher=AOL|access-date=May 17, 2010}}

Although Quantum Catastrophe is not a concept album, it's loosely based on the 2012 phenomenon.{{cite web|url=http://www.noisecreep.com/2010/05/04/brain-drill-enema-porn-entombed/|title=Brain Drill enjoy Entombed, enema porn|last=Harris|first=Chris|date=May 4, 2010|work=Noisecreep|publisher=AOL|access-date=May 18, 2010}} The album's lyrics were written by vocalist Steve Rathjen, inspired by themes such as "Universal decimation (black holes, galactic cosmic radiation), pandemic disease and zombie re-awakenings." Rathjen further explained that "mankind is entering an age of mass speculation as foreseen by numerous ancient cultures. Space to all humanity still primarily remains a mystery even in our days of immense technological advancements. We know this void is filled with infinite extremities which could occur at any instant; easily decimating all habitations. We also know our planet has fulfilled these mass extinctions time and again centuries in the past. The question which remains, are we due for another apocalyptic transition?" Musically, Brain Drill continues to draw the attention of music critics with its over-the-top virtuosity.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1783618/review|pure_url=yes}}|title=Quantum Catastrophe review|last=Henderson|first=Alex|work=Allmusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=18 May 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/b/gr/braindrill-quantumcatastrophe.htm|title=Quantum Catastrophe review|last=Marsicano|first=Dan|work=About.com|publisher=The New York Times Company|access-date=May 18, 2010|archive-date=May 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100520052458/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/b/gr/braindrill-quantumcatastrophe.htm|url-status=dead}} Allmusic stated that Quantum Catastrophe is "in its own vicious, bombastic, skullcrushing way, [...] a celebration of virtuosity." In contrast, The A.V. Club defined the album as "an incoherent mess of doodly-doo," and pointed out that "the band's survival is a bad thing."{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/may-2010,41079/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515042448/http://www.avclub.com/articles/may-2010%2C41079/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 15, 2010|title=Metal Box: New, but not improved|last=Pierce|first=Leonard|date=May 12, 2010|work=The A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion|access-date=18 May 2010}}