“You say that you didn’t cause all of this, your god did? I am the god! I am the god! So let’s just see who’s worth, you, this god, or me…”
[tracklist]
1. BreachingThe Asylum
2. The Black Sheep
3. Marching Through Graveyards
4. Thy Serpents Tongue
5. Vindication
6. Soul Destroyer
7. Carrying Crosses
8. Shattered
9. Hate Spirit
10. The World Is A Dying Insect
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]46 :00[/length]
[record_label]Nuclear Blast Records[/record_label]
[release_date]July 31st 2015[/release_date]
[/details]
Questioning the existence of life itself has always been something that has been somewhat of a hot topic. This questioning of God and its Ghosts makes up crux of Kataklysm’s brand new album. Who’s band name, by definition pertains to the end of the world. Beginning our solemn introduction to the marching riff of “Breaching The Asylum“, much of the album follows suit. With the subject matter breaching various different sides of melody. The vicious ripping “Vindication“ is a quick fire blast, with many of the songs remaining in the three to four minute bracket it would seem that the band have got it down when creating a short sharp attack.
Though the album itself is incredibly tight and well knit there are a few sections where I found myself recalling many other bands, for example the verse section of “The Black Sheep” conjure up images of Arch Enemy, even the beginning of “Thy Serpents Tongue” features the grime sounding riff that wouldn’t go amiss in a Slipknot record. Nevertheless Kataklysm’s characteristic stomp comes hurtling past afterwards. Though you might hear snippets of other band’s overall the record is very much the band at their most Melodic. As you may or may not know the band have become the first to debut music videos for each track on the album, speaking for the tracks themselves there is enough differentiation. The talking point might be melody but these ten different conversations are intriguing and memorable.
Tracks like “Carrying Crosses” are no doubt sure to make lots of feet stamp and many bodies jump. The dissonant lead sections of “Soul Destroyer” wouldn’t be out of place in most Nu-Metal, though again this is not a bad thing. Showing that though Kataklysm might be rooted in Melodic Death Metal the band are also featuring various other genres that makes for a fun way of deciphering what Easter Egg’s each song might hold and ultimately makes them very catchy! Along with a fluidity present throughout the listen which is why the band have been banner men of Melodic Death Metal for so long.
One of the more moodier pieces on the record “Shattered“ is more of a rhythmic focus yet that doesn’t stop that sorrowful web from weaving. What seems to be Kataklysm’s ace in the hole particularly with this record is the seamless growth of a song in itself. A fittingly morose finale “The World Is A Dying Insect” see’s the band capitalise on that final essence of sadness, after a lengthy introduction we reach one of the most poignant harmonies in the record truly echoing the sense of finality, before a triumphant statement of “I will be here until the end of time“. It would seem that with Of Ghosts and Gods Kataklysm have decided to take that leap that will bring them even higher up the Death Metal food chain than they already are.
Kataklysm haven’t reinvented the Melodic Death Metal blueprint but most certainly have added another notch on their proverbial bed post. Proving to naysayers that they can still very much hold their own, the band are a conglomerate of memorable melancholic lines, with aggressive and non compliant delivery. Though the band might be questioning God and indeed its visions there’s no questioning Kataklysm. A solid record by a solid band.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Creating an album where melody reigns supreme, whilst retaining their classic boot stomping groove, Kataklysm have once again proven their Death Metal worth.[/why]
Kataklysm’s brand new album Of Ghosts and Gods is out July 31st (today) via Nuclear Blast Records!
