French Canada's very own KATAKLYSM have ascended from the death metal pit of hell to unleash what I've come to consider the soundtrack to the apocalypse. Sweep away any happy thoughts that might be polluting your mind, close your ears to any thought of hope for the future of humanity, strap your chain gun to your back and fasten your battle helmet. KATAKLYSM is back and pulling no punches.

Brutal, groove-laden death metal of this sort need to kick albums off with swift, vicious uppercuts, and this foursome accomplish exactly that. "In Shadows & Dust" begins with a short spoken-word intro, followed by Jean-Francois Dagenais cranking up one of many killer riffs to come while Maurizio Iacono unleashes a wicked growl and all hell breaks loose. Unless you enjoy spitting out teeth, I wouldn't stand too close to the pit when this song begins. And rest assured, you may expect more of the same for the next 40+ minutes. Relentless and dynamic, Shadows & Dust shows that KATAKLYSM have perfected the potent witches brew of death metal they began stirring back with 2000's The Prophecy. Tracks like "Beyond Salvation," "Illuminati" and "Face The Face Of War" will make you a believer again in brutal, epic death metal. Tracks like "Where The Enemy Sleeps..." and "Years Of Enlightenment..." are filled with so many tasty leads, so many wicked breaks, that you'll wonder why death metal this good isn't in the top 20. The same melodic, bludgeoning groove employed by bands like AMON AMARTH and GOD DETHRONED is a key ingredient to KATAKLYSM'S recent spate of success, though that's by no means to say they're an unoriginal band.

In fact, KATAKLYSM are quite the opposite. Each member brings a unique polished mastery to his respective instrument. J-F's guitarwork is unparalleled, blending MAIDEN-esque melodies with MORBID ANGEL-ish barbarism. Stephan Barbe violently assaults his four-stringer in much the same way a certain legend from the Bay Area used to. Maurizio employs a dual death vocal style that so many before him have tried but failed at. One part Jeff Walker (CARCASS), one part Glen Benton (DEICIDE, VITAL REMAINS), Maurizio can growl or screech with the best of them, and you'll be hard-pressed to not swear there are two vocalists! Finally, Max Duhamel, the longtime and now ex-drummer, puts together perhaps his final work for the band; a true swan song of maniacal skin-pounding fury.

Very, very few bands manage to wrap up such amazing melodic lead guitar with monstrous, incessant drumming and ferocious, agonized vocals as well as KATAKLYSM does. There are a great many bands who manage to play tight, effective death metal, workmanlike if you will, but there are only a handful of stellar-quality bands, and there is only one KATAKLYSM. There's finally a good reason to like something related to the French. If you haven't yet been exposed to the Northern Hyperblast, can I ask what you're waiting for?


A Very Solid And Brutal Record   February 17, 2003
Twitch (Atlanta, GA)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

It is very rare to see a death metal record that can stay so brutal and true and keep your attention throughout the album, Kataklysm's latest release 'Shadows and Dust' is one of theose albums. Granted, Kataklysm's previous works are absolutely amazing, but I personally believe that this album is worth its wieght in gold. 'Shadows and Dust' is analogous with Cannibal Corpse's 'Gore Obsessed' because of the fact that it shows that throughout the years, they are still putting out great, brutal music. Tight musicianship is key on this album. With some heavy riffing and some really cool (yet cheesey) guitar solos, drumming that would make your head spin, perfectly executed bass, and vocals that hit every aspect of heavy metal. "In Shadows and Dust" and "Face the Face of War" are the best tracks on the album, but all of them are just great. Kataklysm's brutal death / thrash metal assault on your senses is what you need if you are wanting to hear something heavy and original. Metal needs more bands like this.


This is Death Metal in its purest form...........   June 3, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Bottom line, if you like death metal that isnt boring, only has 1 riff per song and is just a barrage of noise, and just flat out rocks....go buy this. Ive heard songs from these guys here and there from their first cd the mystical gate of reincarnaition and they rock....this album will not dissapoint you, it is brutal and melodic(sounds like actual music) in the way metal should be, not so hard that its just noise and not so melodic that it sounds cheesy. I would say these guys are 1 of the main underrated bands in the death metal scene. If they come through your town do yourself a favor and go check em out. I saw them last night as an opening band and the rocked. They are really cool, have great stage presence and good crowd interaction, they make you feel like they are honored to play for you and they dont act like a bunch of rockstars. Great band...i highly reccomend this CD and the band as a whole.


BRUTAL!!   February 2, 2003
Total Scumbag (Hell)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Ok, before I give a full review I must say that the song "Shadows and Dust" is one of the best death metal songs I've ever heard and anyone who likes death metal needs to hear that song it is just plain amazing. Anyways, besides the obviously amazing title track the rest of this album stays brutal yet listenable throughout, and most importantly it stays interesting and never boring. Kataklysm's drummer has to be one of the best drummers of all time (although I heard he recently he left the band), and he plays drum beats at often impossible speeds. This album is worth buying just to hear the speed of the drummer. Although, this album is mainly brutal there are a few melodic parts, but this is no melodic death album, this is brutal hyperblast all the way. Support Kataklysm they deserve more respect and they should have WAY more fans in the death metal scene.


This deserves 6 stars   September 14, 2005
C. Pedersen (Lake Mary, FL United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is an all-time favorite in my collection of over 800 metals cds. You can't do death metal any better than this. The production is thick, the riffs are pummeling, the vocals are brutal yet clear enough to actually understand, the blast beats are insane. Buy This!