Kataklysm "In the Arms of Devastation" (Nuclear Blast)
By Brian Anderson
Monday. Feb 27, 1:10 PM
Vast improvement for these Canucks.

The so-called “Kings of Northern Hyperblast” have been around for well over 10 years now. And, up till this point, I thought they performed about as well as Team Canada faired in the 2006 Olympics. Translation; a lot of hype with a lack luster performance record. Sure, “In Shadows & Dust” was a good song, but I couldn’t get past the video. Maurizio bellowing the chorus with his arms stretched out like he was Pavarotti… I bellowed out big laughs while watching.

In the Arms of Devastation opens with a quote most recently made popular by the movie Man on Fire: “Revenge is a meal best served cold.” Appropriate, since after years of me pointing and laughing, revenge has been served: this album kicked my ass!!! Kataklysm’s eighth album illustrates the band’s maturity in song structure while keeping it brutal, technical, and heavy. The opener “Like Angels Weeping (The Dark)” has a slow groove breakdown that will have pits going positively batshit. Kataklysm’s trademark sound is still prevalent with Max Duhamel’s (drums) snare blasting and the double layered vocals, while songs like “Temptation’s Nest” add a hardcore vibe complete with group scream of “temp-ta-tion.” Also included is a duet of sorts with Morgan Lander of Kittie adding her screams and growls to “It Turns to Rust.”

This is a vast improvement over anything these Canucks have done before. In the Arms of Devastation has proven to be Kataklysm’s most devastating release.
www.kataklysm.net
www.nuclearblastusa.com

Listen to a song from this album in our Radio section!

Brian Anderson

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