I don't know. Really. I had heard like a thousand snippets before the song came out, so I wasn't surprised or something, but I'd already had an opinion. Yeah, ruined the whole experience, I know.
I didn't really like the all the stems and all the fan remixes because I wanted to hear the full song before I heard any remixes. I liked the MOH trailer clips, especially the "Lift me up, let me go" part. The first time I heard the full song was on Zane Lowe's Radio One show and I absolutely loved it. The Catalyst is my second favourite song from ATS (WTCFM being the first) and it's in my top 5 all time LP songs for sure.
My first reaction was....lukewarm, but even more hype for the album. I didn't know what I was getting into by hearing the catalyst. Then I heard W&K and became wild with excitement.
my reaction went something like this before: the song started: GODDAMNIT! LEMME HEAR THE SONG MOTHERF'ERS during the song: GOD BLESS US EVERYONE! WE'RE A BROKEN PEOPLE LIVING UNDER LOADED GUN (well you know the rest)
I thought it was amazing. Heavy and soft, electronic and rock, Mike and chester singing - the mix was perfect, the lyrics I loved. It was an A+ return for Linkin Park for me who was truely disappointed by MTM.
For the first time i heard it i was like dazzled.... it felt so new and fresh ... the lyrics and the beat.... it got me all charged and i just wanted to sing but after hearing it a couple of time....i knew that there was something missing... the original Linkin Park...... this music wasn't Linkin Park at all. But i think changes are good but i still prefer metora n hybrid theory
I thought the song was awesome, but all the stems and the Medal of Honor trailer sort of ruined it for me. I wanted the whole song to feel fresh to me. But i couldnt wait, and ended up listening to chopped up version on the MOH trailer.
I remember the first time I listened to it, I was completely underwhelmed until the piano started for the "Lift me up, let me go" part. From there my interest in the song piqued and once Chester started belting out the lyrics and the guitar started wailing in the background, I knew this song was special. I know consider it one of LP's few true masterpieces, along with The Little Things Give You Away. I long for the day this song is mastered live on stage. Oh, and am I the only one who seems to believe The Catalyst reminds me of a more refined, extended, and electronic version of Papercut? They both share that immense conclusion in their respective tracks. But even the chemistry between Mike and Chester seems very similar
The snippets: WOAH this is different... but cool! The call of duty trailer snippet: WTF? they're like two different songs... the premier on my cheap boombox (radio edit): WTF WAS THIS? WTF LINKIN PARK IS SO HORRIBLE NOW WTF one week later, back from my cottage, listneing to the radio edit again couple times with dr dre beats: Woah this is actually amazing! it's my favorite song! couple days later, listening to the song (fulll version): WTF WAS I MISSING ON ;O
I was amazed how it sounded like 2 totally different songs and then tied back together at the end. Listening to the lyrics I thought to myself, "Halo:Reach" since I followed the halo story lines was anticipating that game's release as well(which happened to be on the same day as ATS.)
When the first samples came out - fuck yeah when the "lift me up let me go" 10 sec snippet came out - FUCK YEAH! when the medal of honor trailer with almost full catalyst came out - ...the fuck? when the whole song was released - Is this produced by Tiesto or what? when i hear the song now - THAT'S WUT I'M TALKING ABOUT BIAAAAAAATCH! (rock)
I expected it to suck because of some of the negative reception. Then I heard it on the Medal of Honor trailer and was like "damn that song is crazy", it became my favourite. It still is now.