Kataklysm
Encyclopedia
Kataklysm is a Canadian death metal
band. They call their musical style "northern hyperblast" after an advertisement in M.E.A.T. magazine describing another band, Fear Factory
, as "hyperblast". The term refers to the extremely fast blast beat
s that Kataklysm's drummer, Max Duhamel, fuses into the music.
left the band, and bassist/backing vocalist Maurizio Iacono took over Houde's vocal duties, and full-time bassist Stephane Barbe was recruited.
In 1998, the band released Victims of this Fallen World
, an album which was noted as being a change in musical style from previous albums. The following album The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate)
, however, saw the band return to its previous style, though less chaotic and with a touch of thrash metal
. Following The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate), Kataklysm's current vocalist, Maurizio Iacono, had vocal lessons for death metal after complaining of losing his voice during or after concerts.
In 2001, Kataklysm released Epic: The Poetry of War
, which showed a more melodic approach to death metal whilst not stepping within the boundaries of melodic death metal. The album never sparked too many sales or was really paid attention to, though it still got relatively positive reviews from those who did pay attention.
In the following year, Kataklysm released Shadows & Dust
. The album is seen by Kataklysm members to be one of their most successful albums due to the positive attention it received and the sales it gathered. The album combines melodic elements and the "brutality" of death metal within the same album.
Two years after Shadows & Dust is released, Serenity in Fire
is released. Max Duhamel, Kataklysm's drummer, is not present during this album, and is temporarily replaced by Martin Maurais. Martin Maurais still maintains the hyperblast aspect of Kataklysm in Serenity in Fire whilst adding his own touch to it. Serenity in Fire is one of Kataklysm's more drum-intensive albums, where Martin Maurais's skill in "hyperblasting" and the double kick pedal is shown.
Drummer Max Duhamel is said to have been forced out of the band because of injuries. Eventually, Duhamel recovered from his injuries and participated on Kataklysm's eighth album released in 2006, In the Arms of Devastation
.
Kataklysm's line-up has remained relatively stable compared to many other bands within the metal genre. The band only has one missing original member, Sylvain Houde. Drummers make out most of the band's "former members" list.
The band is currently at work on their next album entitled "McDonalds, and Sweat", due out sometime during the summer of 2012. Rumour has it they they will undergo their biggest tour yet in promotion of the album, with direct support from Metallica. "Once you hear the new kataklysm album, you will realize that you are nothing but mcdonalds (and sweat)" - Maurizio Iocono.
's list of the 10 best Death Metal bands.
Kataklysm is also known for a frequently used drum pattern known as "Northern Hyperblast". The pattern often contains fast sixteenth beats on the snare drum, which are combined with a slow beat on the bass drum. The following example shows an excerpt from The Road to Devastation:
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
band. They call their musical style "northern hyperblast" after an advertisement in M.E.A.T. magazine describing another band, Fear Factory
Fear Factory
Fear Factory is an American industrial metal band. Formed in 1989, they have released seven full-length albums and a number of singles and remixes. Over the course of their career they have evolved from a succession of styles, as well as steadily pioneered a combination of the styles death metal,...
, as "hyperblast". The term refers to the extremely fast blast beat
Blast beat
A blast beat is a drum beat often associated with extreme metal and grindcore, although its usage predates the genres, and is utilised by many different styles of metal...
s that Kataklysm's drummer, Max Duhamel, fuses into the music.
Biography
Kataklysm was formed in 1991. At the beginning of their career they were mostly known for being one of the fastest, most chaotic metal bands. However, their music changed after Sylvain HoudeSylvain Houde
Sylvain Houde was the singer and lyricist of the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. He was the band's original singer and left after three albums to form a band of his own, which apparently never surfaced. He is known for his very deep and fast death grunt which he combined with higher pitched,...
left the band, and bassist/backing vocalist Maurizio Iacono took over Houde's vocal duties, and full-time bassist Stephane Barbe was recruited.
In 1998, the band released Victims of this Fallen World
Victims of this Fallen World
Victims of this Fallen World is the third album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. It is the first Kataklysm album to feature Maurizio Iacono as frontman and lead vocalist.-Track listing:# "As My World Burns" - 5:41# "Imminent Downfall" - 4:31...
, an album which was noted as being a change in musical style from previous albums. The following album The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate)
The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate)
The Prophecy is the fourth studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.-Track listing:# "1999:6661:2000" - 3:53 # "Manifestation" - 3:57# "Stormland" - 3:13 # "Breeding The Everlasting" - 3:54...
, however, saw the band return to its previous style, though less chaotic and with a touch of thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
. Following The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate), Kataklysm's current vocalist, Maurizio Iacono, had vocal lessons for death metal after complaining of losing his voice during or after concerts.
In 2001, Kataklysm released Epic: The Poetry of War
Epic: The Poetry of War
Epic: The Poetry of War is the fifth studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.-Track listing:# "Il Diavolo in Me" – 3:25# "Damnation Is Here" – 4:34 # "Era of the Mercyless" – 3:31...
, which showed a more melodic approach to death metal whilst not stepping within the boundaries of melodic death metal. The album never sparked too many sales or was really paid attention to, though it still got relatively positive reviews from those who did pay attention.
In the following year, Kataklysm released Shadows & Dust
Shadows & Dust
Shadows & Dust is the sixth studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.-Track listing:# "In Shadows & Dust" – 2:46# "Beyond Salvation" – 4:10# "Illuminati" – 4:59# "Chronicles Of The Damned" – 3:14# "Bound In Chains" – 3:24...
. The album is seen by Kataklysm members to be one of their most successful albums due to the positive attention it received and the sales it gathered. The album combines melodic elements and the "brutality" of death metal within the same album.
Two years after Shadows & Dust is released, Serenity in Fire
Serenity in Fire
Serenity in Fire is the seventh studio album from Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. The spoken passage in the track The Ambassador of Pain is a quote from Paul Newman's character in the film, Road To Perdition...
is released. Max Duhamel, Kataklysm's drummer, is not present during this album, and is temporarily replaced by Martin Maurais. Martin Maurais still maintains the hyperblast aspect of Kataklysm in Serenity in Fire whilst adding his own touch to it. Serenity in Fire is one of Kataklysm's more drum-intensive albums, where Martin Maurais's skill in "hyperblasting" and the double kick pedal is shown.
Drummer Max Duhamel is said to have been forced out of the band because of injuries. Eventually, Duhamel recovered from his injuries and participated on Kataklysm's eighth album released in 2006, In the Arms of Devastation
In the Arms of Devastation
In the Arms of Devastation is the eighth studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.-Track listing:# "Like Angels Weeping " – 4:27# "Let Them Burn" – 3:19# "Crippled & Broken" – 4:32...
.
Kataklysm's line-up has remained relatively stable compared to many other bands within the metal genre. The band only has one missing original member, Sylvain Houde. Drummers make out most of the band's "former members" list.
The band is currently at work on their next album entitled "McDonalds, and Sweat", due out sometime during the summer of 2012. Rumour has it they they will undergo their biggest tour yet in promotion of the album, with direct support from Metallica. "Once you hear the new kataklysm album, you will realize that you are nothing but mcdonalds (and sweat)" - Maurizio Iocono.
Music
Kataklysm is well known for their incorporation of movie-quote samples in their music, as well for incorporating some melodic elements into their music while still not being melodic death metal, courtesy of guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais. The band is ranked 7th on AOL RadioAOL Radio
AOL Radio powered by Slacker, , is an online radio service available only in the United States.- Roots :...
's list of the 10 best Death Metal bands.
Kataklysm is also known for a frequently used drum pattern known as "Northern Hyperblast". The pattern often contains fast sixteenth beats on the snare drum, which are combined with a slow beat on the bass drum. The following example shows an excerpt from The Road to Devastation:
Current members
- Maurizio Iacono – vocals (1998–present), bass (1991–1998)
- Jean-Francois DagenaisJean-Francois DagenaisJean-François Dagenais is the guitarist for the Canadian death metal band, Kataklysm. He is also a music producer.- Kataklysm member :As opposed to many of the original members Jean-François has been with Kataklysm since the beginning...
– guitars (1991–present) - Stephane Barbe – bass (1997–present)
- Max Duhamel – drums (1994–present)
Former members
- Sylvain HoudeSylvain HoudeSylvain Houde was the singer and lyricist of the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. He was the band's original singer and left after three albums to form a band of his own, which apparently never surfaced. He is known for his very deep and fast death grunt which he combined with higher pitched,...
– vocals (1991–1998) - Martin Maurais – drums (2004–2005)
- Jean-François Richard – drums (2002–2004)
- Nick Miller – drums (1996–1998)
- Mark-Anthony Marino – drums (1992)
- Ariel Saied Martinez – drums (1991–1992)
Studio albums
- Sorcery (1995)
- Temple of KnowledgeTemple of KnowledgeTemple of Knowledge is the second full-length by Kataklysm released in 1996 by Nuclear Blast. It was re-issued in 2003 as a digipak and included their demo The Vortex of Resurrection.-Track listing:...
(1996) - Victims of this Fallen WorldVictims of this Fallen WorldVictims of this Fallen World is the third album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. It is the first Kataklysm album to feature Maurizio Iacono as frontman and lead vocalist.-Track listing:# "As My World Burns" - 5:41# "Imminent Downfall" - 4:31...
(1998) - The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate)The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate)The Prophecy is the fourth studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.-Track listing:# "1999:6661:2000" - 3:53 # "Manifestation" - 3:57# "Stormland" - 3:13 # "Breeding The Everlasting" - 3:54...
(2000) - Epic: The Poetry of WarEpic: The Poetry of WarEpic: The Poetry of War is the fifth studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.-Track listing:# "Il Diavolo in Me" – 3:25# "Damnation Is Here" – 4:34 # "Era of the Mercyless" – 3:31...
(2001) - Shadows & DustShadows & DustShadows & Dust is the sixth studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.-Track listing:# "In Shadows & Dust" – 2:46# "Beyond Salvation" – 4:10# "Illuminati" – 4:59# "Chronicles Of The Damned" – 3:14# "Bound In Chains" – 3:24...
(2002) - Serenity in FireSerenity in FireSerenity in Fire is the seventh studio album from Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. The spoken passage in the track The Ambassador of Pain is a quote from Paul Newman's character in the film, Road To Perdition...
(2004) - In the Arms of DevastationIn the Arms of DevastationIn the Arms of Devastation is the eighth studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.-Track listing:# "Like Angels Weeping " – 4:27# "Let Them Burn" – 3:19# "Crippled & Broken" – 4:32...
(2006) - PrevailPrevail (album)Prevail is the ninth studio album by Canadian death metal band Kataklysm, released May 23, 2008 in Europe and June 6, 2008 in North America...
(2008) - Heaven's VenomHeaven's VenomHeaven's Venom is an album by Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.Heaven's Venom - August 13, 2010 / August 24, 2010 -Track listing:#A Soulless God - 5:04#Determined - 4:54#Faith Made of Shrapnel - 5:38...
(2010)
Live albums
- Northern Hyperblast LiveNorthern Hyperblast LiveNorthern Hyperblast Live is a live album by Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. It is the last appearance of singer Sylvain Houde with the band...
(1998) - Live in Deutschland - The Devastation Begins (2007)
Demos / EPs / other
- The Death Gate Cycle of Reincarnation (1992)
- The Mystical Gate of ReincarnationThe Mystical Gate of ReincarnationThe Mystical Gate of Reincarnation is an EP of Kataklysm and contains their demo The Death Gate Cycle of Reincarnation and a bonus track The Orb of Uncreation.-Track listing:# "Frozen in Time " – 7:23...
(1993) - Vision the Chaos (1994)
- Sorcery & the Mystical Gate of ReincarnationSorcery & the Mystical Gate of ReincarnationSorcery & the Mystical Gate of Reincarnation is a split studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. It features both albums, Sorcery and The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation.-Track listing:# "Sorcery" - 4:56...
(1998) - Cross the Line of Redemption (single) (2010)
Music videos
- "The Awakener" (1996), directed by Maurice Deverault
- "In Shadows & Dust" (2002), directed by SVBell
- "As I Slither" (2004), directed by Joe Lynch
- "Crippled & Broken" (2006), directed by Maurice Swinkels
- "To Reign Again" (2006), directed by Maurice Swinkels
- "Taking The World By Storm" (2008), directed by David Brodsky
- "Blood In Heaven" (2009), directed by Maxime Hebert
- "Push The Venom" (2010), directed by Ivan Colic
- "Edge of The World" (2011), directed by Tommy Jones