Kataklysm is a Canadian death metal band. As of 2024, they have released fifteen studio albums, two EPs, and two DVDs. Kataklysm received their first Juno Award (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy) for Best Album of the Year in the "Heavy Metal" category for their 2015 album Of Ghosts and Gods.
Kataklysm was formed in Montreal, Quebec in September 1991.[1] Early in their career, the band became known for their fast and technical brand of death metal, referred to as the "Northern Hyperblast".[2]Nuclear Blast discovered the band in 1992 after the release of their debut demo, The Death Gate Cycle of Reincarnation, which received significant acclaim in the underground metal scene. In 1994, Kataklysm signed with Nuclear Blast and released their first EP, The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation, followed by their debut album, Sorcery, in 1995. In 1996, they released their second full-length album, Temple of Knowledge, which included their first music video for the track "The Awakener". However, following the album's release, founding member and lead vocalist Sylvain Houde left the band, citing emotional difficulties related to the end of a romantic relationship.[3] Bassist Maurizio Iacono subsequently took over as vocalist, with Stephane Barbe replacing him as bassist. This shift also marked a change in the band's musical direction, with Iacono and founding guitarist JF Dagenais assuming creative leadership.
In 1998, Kataklysm released their third studio album, Victims of this Fallen World—Iacono's first as vocalist—which featured a more groove-oriented and melodic approach to death metal. The 2000 album The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate) further refined this style, reducing the chaotic elements of their earlier work and incorporating stronger thrash metal influences. Their 2001 release, Epic: The Poetry of War, continued to add melodic elements to their death metal sound, earning them further critical acclaim. In 2002, the band released Shadows & Dust, widely regarded as one of their most successful albums. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews and marked an increase in sales compared to their previous releases. This album was also their first to chart in countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and included one of their most recognisable tracks: "In Shadows & Dust".
Two years later, in 2004, the band released Serenity in Fire. The album was notable for the temporary absence of drummer Max Duhamel, who was replaced by Martin Maurais due to an injury. Serenity in Fire was well received and included two of the band's most iconic tracks: "As I Slither" and "The Ambassador of Pain". Duhamel recovered in time to perform on the band's eighth studio album, In the Arms of Devastation, released in 2006. This album was a significant success, with sales exceeding 50,000 units and achieving the band's highest charting positions up to that point.
The subsequent album, Prevail, demonstrated Kataklysm's continued rise in popularity, with sales again surpassing 50,000 units. The single "Taking the World by Storm" became the band's most-watched track on YouTube, garnering over three million views.[4] In 2008, Kataklysm performed at the UK's Bloodstock festival, sharing the stage with headliners Nightwish and Dimmu Borgir.[5]
Maurizio Iacono in 2015
The band released their eleventh studio album, Waiting for the End to Come, on October 29, 2013, followed by their twelfth album, Of Ghosts and Gods, on July 31, 2015. Both albums received widespread acclaim. Kataklysm's thirteenth studio album, Meditations, was released in June 2018.[6]Meditations became the band's first album to chart on the Billboard Top 100, peaking at #61. It also marked their highest charting positions in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and their native Canada.
Kataklysm released their fourteenth studio album, Unconquered, on September 25, 2020.[7][8] Three weeks prior to the album's release, the band announced that drummer Oli Beaudoin had departed and was replaced by James Payne.[9] The band continued touring Europe in 2023.[10]
Their fifteenth album, Goliath, was released on August 11, 2023.
Exhorder is an American heavy metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana. They are considered progenitors of the groove-oriented thrash sound later made famous by bands such as Pantera and Machine Head, and their music has been regarded as a large influence on the New Orleans metal scene. Initially active from 1985 to 1994 and reformed from 2008 to 2011, Exhorder has since reformed in 2017. To date, the band has released four studio albums: Slaughter in the Vatican (1990), The Law (1992), Mourn the Southern Skies (2019) and Defectum Omnium (2024).
The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation is an EP by Canadian death metal, Kataklysm and contains their demo, The Death Gate Cycle of Reincarnation and the bonus track The Orb of Uncreation.
In the Arms of Devastation is the eighth studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.
Serenity in Fire is the seventh studio album by the 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. Peter Tägtgren contributed guest vocals on the album.
Shadows & Dust is the sixth studio album by Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.
Epic: The Poetry of War is the fifth studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.
The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate) is the fourth studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.
Victims of this Fallen World is the third studio album by Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. It is the first Kataklysm album to feature Maurizio Iacono as frontman and lead vocalist. The album was eventually re-recorded in 2005.
Jean-François Dagenais is a Juno Award winner, French-Canadian record producer, mix engineer, guitarist and songwriter specializing in the rock and metal genres. Born and raised in Canada, Dagenais is now a naturalized citizen of the United States living in Dallas, Texas. He is best known as guitarist for the death metal band Kataklysm and for producing and mixing many heavy metal albums and its subgenres.
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. Music videos were filmed for the tracks "Taking The World By Storm" and "Blood in Heaven".
Ex Deo is a Canadian death metal band formed in Montreal, Quebec in 2008. The band is a side project of Kataklysm frontman Maurizio Iacono, and is based on the history of the Roman Empire.
Decapitated is a Polish death metal band formed in Krosno in 1996. The group is composed of guitarist, founder and composer Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka, vocalist Eemeli Bodde, bassist Paweł Pasek and drummer James Stewart. Decapitated are recognized as one of the death metal's most widely respected bands and one of the finest exponents of technical death metal. The band earned an international fan base in the underground music community and became an innovating act in the modern death metal genre.
Romulus is the debut full-length album by Canadian death metal band Ex Deo. The album was released on June 19, 2009, through Nuclear Blast Records. The album was recorded with producer and Kataklysm guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais.
Heaven's Venom is the tenth studio album by Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. It was released on August 13, 2010 (Europe) and August 24, 2010 (America) through Nuclear Blast.
Oli Beaudoin is a Canadian drummer, record producer, composer and mixer. He has won a Juno Award.
Waiting for the End to Come is the eleventh studio album by Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.
Caligvla is the second album released by Canadian death metal band Ex Deo, on 31 August 2012. The album title refers to Caligula, the third emperor of Rome known for his cruelty, sadism, extravagance, and intense personal insanity.
This is the discography for Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.
Of Ghosts and Gods is the twelfth studio album by the Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. It was released on 31 July 2015.
Meditations is the thirteenth studio album by Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. The album was produced by the band's guitarist and drummer, Jean-François Dagenais and Oli Beaudoin respectively, and mixed by Jay Ruston, who helmed Anthrax and Stone Sour's latest records. Paul Logus mastered the album. The album was released on June 1, 2018. The band released a lyric video of the single 'Guillotine' on March 30, 2018, and another for the song 'Narcissist' on May 5, 2018. Singer Maurizio Iacono commented to Blabbermouth:
"This is a very personal album to me with old wounds being revisited — I felt a big urge to pour my soul into this release. The boys and I were isolated under the same roof during the writing process, just like we did in the early days... with no worries except having fun, being honest and delivering a serious album that represents us today but respects our past. Our new story is coming and we are eager to share it with you!”
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