Canada has given the music world Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne and Brian Adams, more than enough to strike revulsion and misgiving into the metal heart of any bona-fide rock fan. Thankfully on the dark side of the world’s politically blandest country there are a few more chaotic and malevolent offerings. Kataklysm are Canada’s ultimate exponent of Death. The circumspect title, (erm?) In the Arms of Devastation tells you that humble and reserved these guys most definitely are not.

On this, their eighth release building on the already impressive body of work lead singer Maurizio Lacono displays the now time honoured “Cavalera vomiting a reluctant kitten” style delivery and the rest of the band stomp along in a similar enthusiastic vein. Ferocious bludgeoning riffs capped with the irate resentful lyrics emulatng the likes of Sepultura/Soulfly and Slayer.   

However as with any band staunchly sticking to a genre rather than looking for a unique angle the effect is derivative and tiresome after a while. Some tracks are virtually inseparable even after several coats of listening, the main riff being evocative of the above mentioned brand leaders. It’s a pity that the quality of the songs suffers as there are some great ideas that don’t quite ignite, but a decent album is not manufactured with 3 or 4 songs, hang the rest! 

Quite possibly after a prodigious output over a number of years the band are becoming jaded? There back catalogue has some bobby dazzlers but they don’t seem to have nailed the “album” thing at any point. Perhaps quality and not quantity is advisable?  Criticism aside, the production is pretty decently handled by their own plank spanker JF Dagenais and there are moments of lucid and cogent dynamism which shine through. They just don’t appear often enough. 

But what the crap do I know? Nowt is the answer. There will be many a Klysm fan with their heads nodding uncontrollably to this with a wide grin oblivious to anybody else and their opinion, and quite right too.

Let us know your views on 'In The Arms Of Devastation'

Track List

Like Angels Weeping (The Dark)
Let Them Burn
Crippled & Broken
To Reign Again
It Turns To Rust
Open Scars
Temptation´s Nest
In Words Of Desperation
The Road To Devastation

Line Up

Maurizio Iacono - vocals
JF Degenais - guitar
Stephane Barbe - bass
Max Duhamel - drums