Kataklysm

For two decades, Montreal, QC's Kataklysm have been unleashing their consistent, "Northern hyperblast" style of classic, headbanging death metal while continually pushing themselves forward. Their latest album, and 11th full-length to date, Waiting for the End to Come, is no exception. While maintaining their traditional sound, the band have been gradually expanding their approach, including forays into melodic death territory, along with some technical and blackened death elements, over the last few releases. The follow-up to 2010's Heaven's Venom, Waiting for the End to Come oddly doesn't start with the typical ominous movie sound bite, instead featuring a melodic intro with opener "Fire." However, classic Kataklysm return, sound clips and all, with second track "If I was God — I'd Burn it All," which is a crushing assault of their iconic, fast, groove-filled riffs and unrelenting blast beats that leads perfectly into the aggressive pummelling of "Like Animals." Tracks such as "Under Lawless Skies" and "Dead & Buried" contain slower, more melodic passages, reminiscent of the Swedish death style. "Real Blood — Real Scars" and "The Promise" also take this more sophisticated, moody approach while still staying true to the band's roots. Waiting for the End to Come is yet another stellar release from one of Canada's finest death metal exports.