Kataklysm Release First Track from New Album

Canadian death metal veterans Kataklysm released the lyric video for the song 'Guillotine' off of their upcoming album today. The new album, titled "Meditations", will be out on June 1st. Kataklysm are always a good bet to release a heavy, well done album and I doubt their thirteenth effort will be any different.

New Tracks: Children of Bodom & Kataklysm

In anticipation of the release of 'I Worship Chaos', Children of Bodom have released a track entitled "Morrigan". After a return to a more pleasing direction with 'Halo Of Blood', I can honestly say that I am truly excited to hear new Bodom material again. 'Halo of Blood' was a definite step in a direction that I liked, with a bit of return to the roots for COB. "Morrigan" suggests that the band is again ready to put out an album that appeals to the old-school Bodom fan. Upon first listen, I wasn't sure that I liked the keyboards but after hearing the song through decent speakers, my opinion has changed. Whether you agree or not, I get a bit of a 'Hatebreeder' / 'Follow The Reaper' era vibe from this song.

'I Worship Chaos' is due out at the beginning of October.

Kataklysm have always proven that they are one of Canadian death metal's heavyweights. Set to release 'Of Ghosts and Gods' in a few short weeks, the band has released a few tracks to garner the appetite of metal heads. Kataklysm manages to remain heavy with just the perfect amount of melody. "The Black Sheep" provides some relative mellowness, while "Soul Destroyer" feels a bit more aggressive. "Thy Serpent's Tongue" has also been released as a preview to the new album. This is another album that I personally look forward to this year.

Kataklysm & Belphegor to Tour North America

Waiting for the dates to be announced for this tour is almost an anxiety attack waiting to happen. Personally, Kataklysm and Belphegor on the same bill represent the potential for a bone-crunching night of metal. I've seen Kataklysm numerous times, but they are one of the bands that I could see every time they come through town. I've yet to be disappointed by a Kataklysm show, or album, for that matter.

As for Belphegor, I've recently rediscovered why I was initially so drawn to this band. 'Conjuring the Dead' really piqued my interest again and is up there on my list of one of the best recent releases I've listened to. The only time I've seen Belphegor was in the fall of 2008 when they supported Ensiferum and Amon Amarth (and what a wicked show that was). I've been anxiously awaiting another live show, and the opportunity to pick up some merchandise, since.

While I'm definitely praying to the metal gods for this tour to make a stop near me, this is one that I might even seriously consider travelling the thirteen hours by road to Vancouver for.

Kataklysm - New Album in July

Canadian death metal masters, Kataklysm, have announced that their new album will be released worldwide on July 31st. This will certainly feel like a long wait, but Kataklysm rarely disappoints. I would expect more of the heaviness that Kataklysm always brings from 'Of Ghosts and Gods'. I'm looking forward to this one, and if you like no-holds barred, fast, death metal, you should be too.

Track listing:

1. Breaching the Asylum
2. The Black Sheep
3. Thy Serpents Tongue
4. Soul Destroyer
5. Vindication
6. Marching Through Graveyards
7. Shattered
8. Hate Spirit
9. Carrying Crosses
10. The World Is A Dying Insect

Intriguing Releases for 2015

I wanted to share a few of the albums set to be released in 2015 that have piqued my interest. Some of my favourite artists will be releasing new material, and material that can likely be counted on to be solid. While I have probably missed a few albums/artists that I am interested in, the following list gives a brief commentary on the ones I know about, and am excited for. 

Eye of Horus

Eye of Horus are a local death metal band who can be likened to several prominent names in the genre such as Bloodbath and At The Gates. Their ‘Suffer Eternity’ EP is fantastic, and they are just as solid live. I’m looking forward to a full-length from this band in 2015, as well as attending (hopefully) several shows.

https://www.facebook.com/EyeofHorusOfficial

BLËED 

Another local band, playing ‘death n’ roll’ (as described by one of the band members in an interview). BLËED is a hard band to put into a genre, drawing influences from many different genres. I think they have a bit of a death metal vibe, but others have differing opinions on the subject. Either way, another great band with absolutely insane live shows. Their EP was impressive, and they seem to have several other songs (that have been played live) in their repertoire. While I have yet to see anything official, BLËED did hint they would be recording a full-length album this year. I sure hope so!

https://www.facebook.com/bleedband

Entrails

Earlier this month, Entrails finished the recording process of their upcoming album. Dan Swanö has been put in charge of the mixing, which bodes well for a death metal album. I am incredibly excited for this one as Entrails instantly shot into place as being one of my favourite bands from the moment I first heard them. If you don’t like death metal with an old-school Swedish feel, I doubt this one will change your mind. But if you enjoy that sound, it will definitely be an album worth checking out. 

Månegarm

Another Swedish band, and another one of my personal favourites, will also be releasing a new album this year. While the details are scarce at this time, it will be a “late” 2015 release. Månegarm has been in the studio the last several weeks working on the upcoming album. While I am not typically a fan of a band that changes their style, it worked incredibly well for Månegarm on their last release, ‘Legions of the North’. That being said, it wasn’t so much a departure from their style as it was having a lot of the lyrics in english, instead of Swedish. It will be interesting to see what the band chooses for this next album. 

Unleashed

While the title has yet to be announced, we can expect an ‘early spring’ release from Unleashed. This will be the 12th full length album from this particular band, and a release that I am quite excited about. Apparently picking up where ‘Odalheim’ left off, it should be a solid album for anyone who is a fan of Unleashed, or the style of music that they play. My fingers are crossed for a pre-order bundle with a really nice hoodie included...

Kataklysm

“Of Ghosts & Gods”

I do not believe there is a set release date for the new Kataklysm album yet. According to some of their webpages, we should expect a summer release. With Kataklysm on the 70 000 Tons of Metal cruise currently taking place, I wonder if they will preview a new track or two? This could be interesting as it seems as though they are just wrapping up the recording process. One thing is for certain: this will be a decent album as you can always count on Kataklysm to sound like Kataklysm. 

Heidevolk

“Velua”

Heidevolk’s newest effort, ‘Velua’, is set to be released in March. The track listings are already available, as well as some really good pre-order packages. I couldn’t help myself and ordered the limited edition deluxe box set. I decided that besides getting what I’m sure will be a great album, I needed that wicked flag to add to the collection. The necklace is a very nice touch as well. 

LTD edition Heidevolk pre-order bundle from Napalm Records. 

Carnival of Death Concert Review

with Kataklysm, Suffocation, Jungle Rot, Pyrexia, Internal Bleeding

October 27th, 2014

Starlite Room

Due to other commitments, I missed Internal Bleeding and Pyrexia. I would have liked to check out both bands but it wasn’t in the cards for this particular night.

Arriving to find Wisconsin band Jungle Rot already on stage, I was impressed. Holding the audience mostly captive, they played a set of formulaic death metal. Formulaic not being a derogatory term in this case, as the set was well-executed and enabled the audience to come along for the ride. 

American death metal legends Suffocation proved to be the biggest draw of the evening. The venue was packed from stage to merch table for their set with many fans obviously familiar with the material and enthusiastically enjoying it. It was not unusual for this energy to translate into large circle pits, which is not something that every band can accomplish. Suffocation’s years of experience were apparent and the technical elements employed in their song structure certainly worked well, although they are not typical of every death metal band. Suffocation played a mixture of both new and old material, pulling several tracks off their latest release ‘Pinnacle of Bedlam’. Overall, it was a great set and one worthy of the reputation Suffocation has of being a killer live band. 

Kataklysm arrived on stage to find a dwindling audience. Whether it was due to the fact that it was a Monday night, or whether that many people truly weren’t interested in seeing the Canadian masters of death metal, it was strange. Usually Kataklysm draws a decent sized crowd in this particular city. One thing is certain: the fans who did stay were certainly appreciative, headbanging and attempting circle pits on several occasions. ‘The Awakener’ threw some really old material into the mix, with another old one to be found in ‘Stormland’. Much of the material played came from the last Kataklysm release, “Waiting For The End To Come”. From start to end, the set was energetic, if not quite as memorable as some of other Kataklysm sets I’ve witnessed. 

Kataklysm: 'Elevate' Video

With Kataklysm's new album, "Waiting For The End To Come", set to be on shelves just before Halloween, they've released a video for the track 'Elevate'. Check it out, if you haven't already:

Kataklysm - 'Elevate'

These Canadian death metal masters have created one hell of a neat video. Personally, I love the special effects and gore present in this video. Bear in mind that this is coming from someone who has had a bit of an attachment to vampires (before they sparkled) and zombies (before they became mainstream-popular and fell in love), but if you appreciate horror-themed visual effects mixed with death metal, you'll like this video. Having a bit of an idolatry for the reaper/death figure, I quite enjoyed Kataklysm's take on a figure that it has used time and time again in it's band imagery. This video plays like a short horror movie, and there is definitely nothing wrong with that.