FREEDOM OR DEATH! Kataklysm heads back to Europe & UK for a massive headlining tour across 32 cities! Accompanied by Vader and Blood Red Throne, you’ll be served some of the most explosive extreme metal nights!
18.02. 🇫🇷 FR Paris @ La Machine Du Moulin Rouge 20.02. 🇬🇧 UK Wolverhampton @ KK’s Steel Mill 21.02. 🇬🇧 UK Glasgow @ Slay 22.02. 🇬🇧 UK Manchester @ Academy 2 23.02. 🇬🇧 UK London @ O2 Academy Islington 25.02. 🇫🇷 FR Rennes @ L’Etage 26.02. 🇫🇷 FR Toulouse @ Le Bikini 27.02. 🇪🇸 ES Madrid @ Sala Mon 28.02. 🇪🇸 ES Pamplona @ Sala Totem 01.03. 🇪🇸 ES Barcelona @ Razzmatazz 2 03.03.🇨🇭CH Geneve @ L’Usine 04.03. 🇮🇹 IT Milan @ Legend Club 05.03. 🇸🇮 SI Ljubljana @ Kino Siska 06.03. 🇨🇿 CZ Brno @ Fleda 07.03. 🇸🇰 SK Kosice @ Colloseum 08.03. 🇭🇺 HU Budapest @ Barba Negra Blue Stage 10.03. 🇦🇹 AT Vienna @ Simmcity 11.03. 🇩🇪 DE Munich @ Backstage Werk 12.03. 🇩🇪 DE Heidelberg @ Halle 02 13.03. 🇩🇪 DE Memmingen @ Kaminwerk 14.03. 🇨🇭 CH Pratteln @ Z7 15.03. 🇩🇪 DE Trier @ Forum 17.03. 🇧🇪 BE Antwerp @ Trix 18.03. 🇩🇪 DE Hamburg @ Markthalle 19.03. 🇩🇰 DK Copenhagen @ Pumpehuset 20.03. 🇩🇪 DE Berlin @ Festsaal Kreuzberg 21.03. 🇩🇪 DE Leipzig @ Hellraiser 22.03. 🇩🇪 DE Bochum @ Zeche 24.03. 🇩🇪 DE Frankfurt @ Batschkapp 25.03. 🇩🇪 DE Braunschweig @ Westand 26.03. 🇳🇱 NL Leiden @ Gebr. De Nobel 27.03. 🇩🇪 DE Bamberg @ Brose Arena
Montreal death metal juggernaut KATAKLYSM is proud to announce their co-headlining slot alongside Polish death metal pioneers VADER on the Carnival of Death 2025 North American tour. The tour brings with it a no-holds-barred lineup featuring the legendary MALEVOLENT CREATION and rising death thrashers SKELETAL REMAINS, guaranteeing a night of relentless brutality in every city. Get your tickets HERE.
The 26-date carnage kicks off October 1st in Bensalem, PA, and storms through major cities across the U.S. and Canada, including stops in Atlanta, Tampa, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, and Brooklyn. Canadian fans will witness KATAKLYSM close out each show from Toronto through Montreal, ensuring a fitting home soil finale for the band.
🗓️ Oct 1 – Bensalem, PA – Broken Goblet 🗓️ Oct 2 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819 🗓️ Oct 3 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Heaven) 🗓️ Oct 4 – Tampa, FL – The Orpheum 🗓️ Oct 6 – Ft. Worth, TX – Tulips 🗓️ Oct 7 – Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live 🗓️ Oct 8 – El Paso, TX – Rockhouse Bar & Grill 🗓️ Oct 9 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater 🗓️ Oct 10 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick 🗓️ Oct 11 – West Hollywood, CA – Whisky-A-Go-Go 🗓️ Oct 12 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge 🗓️ Oct 13 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post 🗓️ Oct 14 – Las Vegas, NV – Backstage Bar 🗓️ Oct 16 – Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater 🗓️ Oct 17 – Kansas City, MO – Warehouse on Broadway 🗓️ Oct 18 – Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theater – Studio B 🗓️ Oct 19 – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s 🗓️ Oct 20 – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge 🗓️ Oct 21 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace* 🗓️ Oct 22 – Ottawa, ON – Overflow* 🗓️ Oct 23 – Quebec City, QC – Salle Montaigne* 🗓️ Oct 24 – Montreal, QC – Fairmount Theatre* 🗓️ Oct 25 – Syracuse, NY – The Lost Horizon 🗓️ Oct 26 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Monarch *Kataklysm headlines all Canadian dates.
Tickets are on sale now. Don’t miss your chance to witness this once-in-a-generation tour of death metal dominance.
Mark your calendars! We’re thrilled to share a massive update with more festivals and exclusive shows across Europe. It’s going to be an incredible summer and we can’t wait to see as many of you as possible!
25.07.25 SI Tolmin -Tolminator Festival 26.07.25 AT Vienna – Metal Fields 29.07.25 DE Nürnberg – Hirsch 30.07.25 DE Stuttgart – Wizemann 31.07.25 DE Dortmund – Dortmund Deathfest *warm up 01.08.25 DE Rojtzschjora – Full Rewind Festival 02.08.25 RO Rasnov – Rockstad Extremefest 07.08.25 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal 08.08.25 UK Derbyshire – Bloodstock Festival 09.08.25 CZ Jaromer – Brutal Assault Festival 10.08.25 DE Munich – Backstage 12.08.25 DE Karlsruhe – Substage 14.08.25 FR Carhaix – Motocultor Festival 15.08.25 CH Cudrefin – Rock the Lakes Festival 16.08.25 DE Sulingen – Reload Festival 17.08.25 NL Eindhoven – Dynamo Festival
Northern hyperblast kings KATAKLYSM from Canada know one thing for sure: to stay in the game you have to work hard continuously!
So these guys keep releasing awe-inspiring extreme metal albums regularly and seem to be on the road pretty much the rest of the time.
After the release of their latest studio album “Heaven’s Venom” (2010) and the massive anniversary live package “Iron will” (2012), their highly anticipated new record “Waiting for the end to come” will see the light of day on October 25, 2013 and it’s surely going to butcher the competition, once again.
Above: Eliran Kantor cover artwork
Above: Peter Sallai cover artwork
KATAKLYSM guitaristJean-Francois Dagenais helmed the production of this upcoming masterpiece of brutality and melody once more, while legend Zeuss (SUFFOCATION, HATEBREED and many more) took care of the mixing. The artwork by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, HATEBREED) will be featured on the deluxe digipak and LP versions of their new album and the cover by Peter Sallai, who is known for his artworks done for SABATON, will be featured on the standard jewel case and limited edition cassette tape versions.
Check out this trailer previewing Peter Sallai´s cover and some brand new KATAKLYSM tunes below:
And KATAKLYSM wouldn’t be KATAKLYSM if they hadn’t already mapped out the next tour – they`ll embark on a European headlining run in January and February 2014 which marks their first tour on the old continent in almost 3 years, so all fans better buckle-up for this full-blown Death Metal onslaught which is about to gut Europe.
“It’s been almost three years since our last club tour in Europe and we are so excited to come back and blow off the roof of every club next January & February. We’ve built an album that will stand the test time and will need many headbangers, body surfers and mosh pits to give it justice and we are building a special show that you will never forget. This time, after almost a decade we have decided to tour the UK as well, after seeing the reactions at this years Bloodstock Open Air. There’s no doubt it’s time to come destroy. Raise your pints!” – Maurizio Iacono/KATAKLYSM
Supporting them will be Brazilian Death Metal veterans KRISIUN, who are working on their new and yet untitled album. FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE are also part of the billing and pose a special treat for sure! They mix brutal tech death with symphonic, opera-like arrangements. Their third album “Labyrinth” just came out.
WAITING FOR THE END TO COME PART 1: EUROPEAN TOUR 2014
Presented by Metal Hammer, Legacy, Musix, Noizeletter, Metal.de, Metallian, BLAST!
KATAKLYSM – The 11th studio album, Waiting For The End To Come, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada’s KATKALYSM, will be released in North America, on October 29th, via NuclearBlast. The ever legendary Death Metal pack of KATAKLYSM have historically been known for their incredible album cover artwork; Waiting For The End To Come is no different!
There will be 2 album cover versions for Waiting For The End To Come. Read below about both album covers and what they truly depict, as spoken from KATAKLYSM vocalist Maurizio Iacono. Metal be thy name!
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As reported on the Facebook page of KATAKLYSM:
Set your eyes on the CD and Limited Cassette main artwork for WAITING FORTHE END TO COME from Peter Sallai!
“The album art depicts a child which represents innocence in humanity, covered in dirt and blood from life’s experiences. In front of him, his death represented by a reaper who comes to claim his soul for the afterlife, or the abyss. It’s open to the fans to decide with their own beliefs. In the end this is the transition between life & death.” – Maurizio Iacono (vocalist – KATAKLYSM)
…And below is the alternate album cover art! Read all about this cover image (below), via Nuclear Blast! Whoa!
KATAKLYSM have revealed the alternate cover art for their highly anticipated upcoming release Waiting for the End to Come. The artwork by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, HATEBREED) will be featured on the deluxe digipak and LP versions of their new album, which will be released on October 29th (North America) via Nuclear Blast.
The previously released cover by Peter Sallai (SABATON), will be featured on the standard jewel case and limited edition cassette tape versions.
“This other version of the new art made by Eliran Kantor represents a more iconic and epic approach,” commented vocalist Maurizio Iacono. “A man representing all of humanity, shaking the foundation of existence and ultimately beginning the process of destruction. The main foundation is depicted here as the famous KATAKLYSM ‘tribal sun’ logo. It does not represent the end of KATAKLYSM by any means; more the beginning of a new era after the end of a certain existence.”
KATAKLYSM – Attacking like a furious blizzard from the great white north, Canada’s powerhouse purveyors of Extreme Death Metal KATAKLYSM have laid waste to all in their path for 22 years and are still hammering ahead with a violent intensity that is unmatched by many of their contemporaries and they are making their long-awaited return to Australia in December!
Boasting trademark elements in their sound such as brutal blastbeats, earth-shaking grooves, ballsy riffage and a venomous vocal attack, KATAKLYSM give every ounce of their sweat, blood and tears in their live performances that leave all who attend their shows in pure disbelief at what they have just witnessed.
So, prepare to be crippled and broken on the road to devastation as the masters of the Northern Hyperblast take Australia by storm in December!
Presented by Metropolis Touring and Tombowler.
04.12. AUS Brisbane – Crowbar
05.12. AUS Adelaide – Fowlers Live
06.12. AUS Melbourne – Corner Hotel
07.12. AUS Sydney – Manning Bar
08.12. AUS Perth – Rosemount Hotel
(Source: Nuclear Blast)
* For more info on KATAKLYSM, click on links below!
Max Duhamel, drummer of the Montreal based Death Metal powerhouse, KATAKLYSM, is forced to take a break. He also won’t be performing on the new KATAKLYSM album.
Max has just released this official statement:
“Hello everyone, it is with an extremely heavy heart that I announce today that I will not be performing on the new KATAKLYSM album, I have been struggling with many personal issues the last year but lately, the main one has been alcohol, it’s been affecting my body in a very negative way to the point that when I came home after the EX DEO tour we just did, I tried to stop drinking for few days and it’s been very hard without having any withdrawals symptoms, I’ve also lost a lot of weight as some of you noticed recently and I’m not in good shape.
I’ve heard the new material my brothers have written and its truly incredible stuff, it’s really some of the best music the band has ever done but It’s going to be a very demanding album and my state of mind and body is not ready to confront this big task right now, I need to clean my body and my mind and come back focused to Kataklysm and I don’t know how long this will take…, the guys have reached out to help in any way they can which I can’t thank them enough.. I’m truely blessed to have them as a family, so as I start my road to recovery I send this message to all of you and thank you for all the support, It’s time to take my life in my hands and take responsibility, I will not be attending the JUNO AWARDS ceremony in two weeks for EX DEO nominations but i will close my contract with the shows in MAY that are left, EXTREMEFEST, BEASTIVAL in Germany and METALFEST CZECH REP. will be my last shows until I’m ready again to come back in full form, you guys deserve the best of me… see you later.” MAX
The new album Waiting for the End to Come is tentatively scheduled for a late 2013 / early 2014 release. The album will be recorded by guitarist Jean Francois Dagenais and mixed by Zeuss (SUFFOCATION, HATEBREED, ARSIS).
The Band Responds:
“We as a band of brothers stand by Max’s decision to get better and to rise from his demons, we all have them, some of us try to hide them and pretend they don’t exist, some of us have the courage to confront them, Max has shown strength to fight his, we stand by him and hope that he returns home when he is ready, in the meanwhile I want everyone to know for those who haven’t seen the Iron will documentary, that this bands story is one of drama, pain and the long road to victory.
We will practice what we preach on our albums, we will come out swinging hard and strong with this new album, we will find a suitable replacement and we will announce him in the next few weeks, we will not disappoint any of you, we have read the messages of encouragements you have posted, we have the best fans.. and in these classic words “the show must go on”… here’s a cool clip we found from Rocky that describes well what is to come from your veterans “Horse power” see you soon Maurizio, J-f , Steph
Montreal based Death Metal powerhouse, KATAKLYSM, have been quietly working on new material for the past several months for their long-awaited follow-up to the highly successful Heaven’s Venom album.
“Well it’s been a seriously busy ride since our last album Heaven’s Venom was released over 3 years ago,” commented vocalist Maurizio Iacono. “From a successful world headlining run, to Ozzfest, into a recap of our 20 years as band with the Iron Will DVD. We’ve been writing in a very humble fashion behind the scenes for the last six months. It’s time to take KATAKLYSM to higher levels and dig deep into our capacities as musicians and songwriters. We know exactly what we have to do, that’s why we have taken our time and why we’ll be taking most of the Summer to complete the new album. The record will deal lyrically with mortality and the purpose of ones being on this earth. The moment we are born we start to die. It’s a sort of deal we make with life, and with that I title the new KATAKLYSM album Waiting for the End to Come.”
Waiting for the End to Come is tentatively scheduled for a late 2013 / early 2014 release. The album will be recorded by guitarist Jean Francois Dagenais and mixed by Zeuss (SUFFOCATION, HATEBREED, ARSIS)
As previously reported, KATAKLYSM guitarist and longtime producer Jean-FrançoisDagenais (MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX, DESPISED ICON, EX DEO) will once again helm the new record. The band is scheduled to enter JFD studio in Montreal and Dallas in June/July.
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(Source: Nuclear Blast)
* For more info on KATAKLYSM, click on the links below!
The ultimate KATAKLYSM 2DVD/2CD package Iron Will: Twenty Years Determined hit the German Charts on position #98! The release is a retrospective swollen with pride, a live all-inclusive-package and an in-depth gift to all of the band’s faithful followers. A true all-round carefree package.
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Maurizio Iacono comment: “We did this DVD with no expectations. Our little story immortalized with the luck of a label that would support it, I guess our great fans in our second home Germany have shown their love and brought a DVD release into the Top 100 album charts of the country. This is very unusual and we are very humbled by it, thank you!”
Halifax based Spread The Metal Festival, whose goal is to raise $100,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada with 100% of ticket revenues, is proud to announce headliners Morbid Angel, along with Blackguard, Cryptopsy and Last Call Chernobyl as the next batch of bands added to the line up to support the festival charity fundraiser.
“Spread the Metal Records has lofty ambitions for this festival and as it grows each year, I want to prove that the label is as committed to philanthropy as we are to releasing phenomenal records. We take on the responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves, and this festival has the power to help a lot of people, year after year.” – Matt Day STM owner and festival organizer commented.
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Tickets available at the Halifax Forum or by phone at 1-888-311-9090 and online www.ticketpro.ca
ABOUT:Spread The Metal Fest was inspired by STM Records owner Matt Day, whom previously worked for HSF as a volunteer and decided it was time to give back to the community and help an organization and cause that promotes awareness of heart disease along with financial support.
ABOUT:Spread the Metal Records is an artist-oriented label. They recognize the commitment of all those who have signed with them and those who continue to support them in other ways. A label is only as strong as its artists, and indeed the job of the record label is to create an environment where they can pursue their artistic vision. That means giving straight answers, holding themselves accountable, taking responsibility for their mistakes, and recognizing their own limitations. STM believes in every release that they put out and they have more respect for the fans than to expose them to a sub-par album. STM demands the best from themselves, and so they can’t accept any less from the bands that they represent.
Stone Says: I’ve stated once before, the sincere admiration I have for Matt Day’s charitable kindness through his Spread The Metal Festival and Spread The Metal Records. I also admire each and every band that are giving their time to perform at this fabulous festival; along with the sponsors and anyone else that is involved in making this event happen. This Spread The Metal Fest proves that Metal can make a difference in people’s lives.
Montreal based Extreme Metallers KATAKLYSM will release a multidisc DVD this June entitled “The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined”, which features a documentary and bonus CD materials. The set will depict the ups and downs of the band’s long, turbulent career, as well as footage of KATAKLYSM’s performance at last year’s Summer Breeze festival, which took place August 18-20, 2011 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. The cover art for the release was created by artist Colin Marks (ORIGIN, EXODUS, NEVERMORE) and can be viewed above.
28.07 -, Obersinn GERMANY @ Eisenwhan festival (headliner) 04.08 – Essen GERMANY @ Turock w/ special after show party (headliner) 04.07 – Tolmin SLOVENIA @ Metalcamp festival 04.09 – Chemnitz GERMANY @ Rock im Betonwerk festival (headliner) 09.08- Switzerland @ MEH SUFF festival (headliner)
Festival aims to raise $100,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
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Halifax based Spread The Metal Festival (whose goal is to raise $100,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada with 100% of ticket revenues) is proud to announce the first round of Canadian bands supporting the fest and charity fundraiser.
“Spread the Metal Records has lofty ambitions for this festival and as it grows each year, I want to prove that the label is as committed to philanthropy as we are to releasing phenomenal records. We take on the responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves, and this festival has the power to help a lot of people, year after year.” – Matt Day STM owner and festival organizer commented.
ABOUT: Spread The Metal Fest was inspired by STM Records owner Matt Day, whom previously worked for HSF as a volunteer and decided it was time to give back to the community and help an organization and cause that promotes awareness of heart disease along with financial support. About: Spread the Metal Records is an artist-oriented label.
They recognize the commitment of all those who have signed with them and those who continue to support them in other ways. A label is only as strong as its artists, and indeed the job of the record label is to create an environment where they can pursue their artistic vision. That means giving straight answers, holding themselves accountable, taking responsibility for their mistakes, and recognizing their own limitations.
STM believes in every release that they put out and they have more respect for the fans than to expose them to a sub-par album. STM demands the best from themselves, and so they can’t accept any less from the bands that they represent.
Stone Says: I have lost both my mother and sister to that evil bitch called a stroke. I fully endorse and applaud the efforts of Matt Day and his Spread The Metal Festival and Spread The Metal Records. I also admire each and every band on this festival bill for giving their time for such an extremely important cause. A Metal kudos to everyone involved in making this fantastic festival happen. Metal be thy name.
Montreal based Extreme Metallers KATAKLYSM will release a multi-disc DVD this Spring entitled TheIron Will: 20 Years Determined, which features a documentary and bonus CD materials. The set will depict the ups and downs of the band’s long, turbulent career, as well as footage of KATAKLYSM’s performance at last year’s Summer Breeze festival, which took place August 18-20, 2011 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. The cover art for the release was created by artist Colin Marks (ORIGIN, EXODUS, NEVERMORE) and can be viewed above.
KATAKLYSM recently recorded the single The Iron Will in Montreal, Canada with guitarist/producer Jean-François Dagenais. It will be mixed by Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, BEHEMOTH, MNEMIC) in Denmark and will be made available with a video clip on iTunes one month before the release of The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined.
Watch the video clip for the song At the Edge of the World at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD1BBE-XYxQ . The footage was taken from the bands hometown show at Club Soda in Montreal, which was part of their recent “Spread the Venom” headlining world tour. At the Edge of the World comes from the bands latest acclaimed album Heaven’s Venom. The video clip was filmed by director Tommy Jones (DEATH ANGEL, SOILWORK), who is also helming the bands upcoming Documentary/DVD THE IRON WILL: 20 YEARS DETERMINED.
KATAKLYSM – Headlining their very own Spread The Venom Tour across North America in 2011, is Canada’s very own mega-goliath of a Metal Band – KATAKLYSM. Melodic Death Metal has it’s almighty keeper of the Metal gates and KATAKLYSM holds the key! Supporting KATAKLYSM on this Spread The Venom Tour is: All Shall Perish, Decrepit Birth, Conducting From The Grave and Abysmal Dawn. This is NOT a Metal lineup to mess with, you can’t control them… you can only join them as they embark on their mission in assisting KATAKLYSM to Spread The Venom across North America during 2011!
KATAKLYSM:
Maurizio Iacono – vocals
J-F Dagenais – guitars
Stephane Barbe – bass
Max Duhamel – drums
Spread The Venom Tour North America 2011 Dates – 35 Shows:
02/24 – Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
02/25 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s Rock Club
02/26 – Detroit, MI @ Harpo’s
02/27 – St. Paul, MN @ Station 4
02/28 – Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Park Theatre
03/01 – Regina, SK, Canada – The Distrikt
03/02 – Edmonton, AB, Canada – Starlite Ballroom
03/03 – Kelowna, BC, Canada – Lake City Bowl
03/04 – Vancouver, BC, Canada – Rickshaw Theatre
03/05 – Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
03/06 – Portland, OR @ Branx
03/07 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
03/08 – Hollywood, CA @ The Whiskey A Go Go
03/09 – San Diego, CA @ SOMA
03/10 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
03/11 – Amarillo, TX @ El Clen
03/12 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
03/13 – San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
03/15 – St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theater
03/16 – Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11
03/17 – Springfield, VA @ JAXX
03/18 – Columbus, OH @ Alrosa Villa
03/19 – Niagara Falls, NY @ Evening Star Music Hall
03/19 – Niagara Falls, NY @ Evening Star Music Hall (CD Release Show)
03/20 – Montreal, QC, Canada @ Club Soda
04/06 – Mexico City, DF, Mexico @ Circo Volador
04/07 – San Jose, San Jose, Costa Rica – Pepper’s Club
KATAKLYSM – Released on August 24, 2010, on Nuclear Blast America, Heaven’s Venom marks the tenth studio album from Kataklysm, arguably the most brutally powerful Metal band ever exported from The Great White North. This new Kataklysm album is fully loaded with ten songs, which exceed the boundaries of what great Death Metal is supposed to accomplish… by mesmerizing your senses into a state of Extreme Death Metal delirium. It is a tried and true Death Metal band like Kataklysm that I cannot resist rooting for, their tireless effort to make their presence known as a Death Metal force, in the vast world of Metal, is an undisputed benchmark of their existence.
From the onset, Soulless God annihilates with it’s all encompassing and overpowering Death Metal fury. All ten songs for that matter, are an enormous listen into just how Kataklysm has evolved over the past two decades, with their obvious stamp of originality upon the genre of Death Metal, a genre which has become a behemoth in the annals of Metal Music. The melodic nature of Kataklysm’s sound is derived from guitar virtuoso Jean-Francois Dagenais, he can play the heavy while instilling an accessibility to this band from his diverse playing. Even casual Death Metal fans should easily adhere their ears to what Deganais plays here, with loyal fans knowing that he is one of the finest in all of Metal.
Without hesitation, Heaven’s Venom is one of the most engaging Death Metal albums I’ve ever listened to. Slivers of progressiveness will sparingly peer around Kataklysm’s corner, with the spoken word being utilized in the songs: A Soulless God and Hail The Renegade. Kataklysm has never been about fast food Death Metal, this band’s intricacies have always lied within their passion for creating songs that leap out at you with rage and then abruptly casting searing melodic turns without notice. Lyrically, Heaven’s Venom embarks on dark personal struggles and values, with revenge and triumph being touched upon in prolific style, which Maurizio Iacono conveys with undisputed domination. Maurizio is one of those vocalists… when Maurizio sings, Stone listens.
The themes of divide and conquer and good versus evil may seem cliche with their simplicity, only Kataklysm gives forth a larger story than that throughout Heaven’s Venom. The markedness of Heaven’s Venom is truly a carry over from the rest of Kataklysm’s catalog of albums, once again embarking on what I construe to be… thinking man’s Death Metal. Yes, contrary to any department of psychology misnomer, Death Metal can be smart, both lyrically and musically. Along with the forever legendary Death Metal pioneers the likes of Death, Kataklysm will unconditionally receive my Metal accolades for their artistic point style too.
My personal favorite song on Heaven’s Venom is As The Walls Collapse. I will survive all the demons you throw at me, I will deny all the weakness inside… these are lyrics that psyche-me-out beyond Metal belief. Combine intelligent and powerful lyrics with elevated Death Metal grooves and yes, this song is a masterful achievement that will not become obsolete for my ears. I could go as far by saying: As The Walls Collapse sounds superiorly delectable, when listened to ten times in a row, very loudly.
Without exception, is Heaven’s Venom relentless with the double bass and copious rhythmic blasts from Max Duhamel, holy mother of Metal does Max lock himself into a phrenetic groove on every song. Metal be thy name he is outstanding. The combination of Max Duhamel behind the kit and Stephane Barbe on bass makes for an earsplitting wall of Death Metal welcomeness. Heaven’s Venom is what I consider an undeniable right choice for any Death Metal, Metal or Extreme Metal fan alive today. An album such as Heaven’s Venom doesn’t just fall from the sky, this is as creatively heavy as it gets with Death Metal, while being fortified with the upmost intensity and Death Metal proficiency that I’ve come to expect from Kataklysm.
* For more info on KATAKLYSM, just click on the link below:
Back in the Summer of 2008, I came across a 7 ” picture disc from Kataklysm: Taking The World By Storm. This picture disc was released on May 30, 2008 on Nuclear Blast (Records). I bought this sweet picture disc off of the Century Media Records web site – CM Distro. (Damn, I just used the word sweet on Metal Odyssey). Kataklysm hails from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It’s great to see Death Metal staking it’s claim up in the Great White North, I’d rather see an export like Kataklysm come out of Canada, rather than an Alberta Clipper snow storm. (I can’t stand those Alberta Clippers… they always seem to dump a few inches or more of snow during rush hour traffic). Back to this unreal picture disc… the two songs on it are from Kataklysm’s tenth studio album – Prevail, released in North America on May 27, 2008, they are:
Taking The World By Storm
Breathe To Dominate
I really like Kataklysm… this band epitomizes perseverance and being true to Metal. Kataklysm is as hard and heavy as any in the Death Metal world, with their melodic tone making for an even greater listening experience, Metal time and again. Kataklysm really created a furious and Metal blinding album of songs with Prevail, Taking The World By Storm and Breathe To Dominate are two enormously justified Death Metal songs to appear on this picture disc. Adding this Kataklysm picture disc to my collection, only makes it all the more Metal potent. Take a Metal gander at this amazing 7″ picture disc below, I have shown you both front and back:
It’s always a great Metal treat, when the album artwork is brutal and hellishly unreal… fitting right in with the Death Metal theme. (Did I use the word treat back there?). The back cover shows Kataklysm, in all of their Metal glory, from left to right: Stephane Barbe (bass), Max Duhamel (drums), Maurizio Iacono (vocals) and Jean-Francois Dagenais (guitars).
The two songs on this picture disc, as well as every song on the Prevail album, are immensely dominant in all of it’s Death Metal extremity. Kataklysm comes at you from all Metal angles… there really is no room to escape, all you can do is listen to their songs on this picture disc and their Prevail album and be set Death Metal straight. Kataklysm plays extremely tight and solid, with a flurry of Thrash Metal thrown around for good Metal measure. The riffs are abundant and very memorable, you can’t possibly listen to these Kataklysm songs without walking away with several riffs and leads – buzzing in your head. Even if you are not a fan of Death Metal, (I could never fathom not being a fan of Death Metal), this Prevail album from Kataklysm will certainly leave a long lasting dent in your skeptic attitude. Maurizio Iacono is without Metal question… one of the most underrated vocalists in not just Death Metal, in all of Metal. (That is my Metal opinion and I am sticking to it).
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