Artist: Kataklysm
Label: Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 10/15/02
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Title: Shadows & Dust Artist: Kataklysm Label: Nuclear Blast Release Date: 10/15/02 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
Kataklysm blew me away with their last album, Epic, showing the band had improved in leaps and bounds from their crappy beginnings. Shadows & Dust continues the death metal assault, showing that they deserve a great deal of the reputation they've built up for themselves as one of the best things coming out of Canada (except, of course, for the bacon we get on our Egg McMuffins).
"Kataklysm seem to have built on their brutal death base by learning a bit from the melodies of Europe."
The things I love about this album are the same as what I loved about Epic, namely, the mixture of hook and brutality that makes for such an invigorating listening experience. Kataklysm seem to have built on their brutal death base by learning a bit from the melodies of Europe. When I say this, I'm not implying that this band sounds very melodic at all, but the way they use their breakdowns, and the way they hit their groove, create a catchiness that comes across as almost accessible.
"Make no mistake, Kataklysm still shred." But make no mistake, Kataklysm still shred. The music is a frenzy of blastbeats and thick guitars, but there are enough breaks in the chaos for you to appreciate the craftsmanship put forth. My favorite albums in the world are the ones that do such a good job of infecting me with a particular song, and still maintain a crushing, heavy sound. The heft comes across constantly, no matter how fast the songs get, and while I don't think I like this one as much as their last, it is definitely a worthwhile release for the average metalhead. One word review: Great.
Death's Review:
Kataklysm get a raw deal, at least from my perspective. They are serious veterans of the extreme metal underground, yet they engender surprisingly little respect from those who think of themselves as part of the current extreme metal "elite." I've heard a general attitude of "been there, done that" commonly expressed when recently discussing Kataklysm with the general media and record label types, and I was definitely distressed at the lack of serious turnout for what I think was their first appearance in LA a month or so back.
"Kataklysm are serious veterans of the extreme metal underground, yet they engender surprisingly little respect from those who think of themselves as part of the current extreme metal 'elite.'"
But nonetheless, Kataklysm endure, delivering another slab of catchy yet brutal traditional North American death metal stylings which proves a worthy follow-up to their last album, Epic. From the opening title track the listener is bludgeoned by brutal yet catchy riffs which you can really sink your teeth into, and choruses which you can actually follow in a musical way. That's not to say that Kataklysm have lost any of their "northern hyperblast" type aggression; they haven't. It is to say that this album brings more to the table than just speed and screams, it is musical in only the most brutal of death metal ways. That's why I like it. If you like straightforward death metal, then you should too.
"I like it. If you like straightforward death metal, then you should too."
Hel's Review:
Favorite track: "Where the Enemy Sleeps"
"In my opinion, Kataklysm is the most under-rated band in death metal." In my opinion, Kataklysm is the most under-rated band in death metal. This band is amazing, and all the component elements of the band are individually superior. We're talking about a vocalist with the ability to provide some of the most diverse screams imaginable, killer guitarists with an amazing ability to transition to one blazingly complicated riff to another at the drop of a hat, and a drummer who so completely crushes his kit that I'm certain he must need a new one with each subsequent record.
"Wake the fuck up! Kataklysm rules." So why is it no one seems to care? If they were brilliant musicians with uninteresting music, I could understand. But in addition to their astounding technical ability, they have some of the most well written songs to ever be crafted by a death metal band. Their records are filled with variety, from traditional death fare to melodic, and everything in between. Rarely is there a death metal band that can create catchy songs that the entire audience can't help but sing along to - but I have seen Kataklysm accomplish this feat on numerous occasions.
Fuck "I've heard it all before" death metal elitism - the people who spew this nonsense are just as close-minded as the other people they are often seen berating. Kataklysm should have earned the respect of the death metal community years ago, but for those of you still holding onto your cynicism: Wake the fuck up! Kataklysm rules. Buy Shadows & Dust or die the death of a clueless loser.
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