ALBUM REVIEW: Goliath – Kataklysm
It’s remarkable what KATAKLYSM have achieved. Over the last three decades, the Canadians have released a staggering 14 albums and toured the world multiple times over, but while the volume of recorded material is impressive enough, what’s really striking is the quality. Ever since 2002’s game-changing Shadows And Dust, they haven’t released a single dud. Their previous work was scrappy and entertaining, but that record was the sound of everything clicking into place and they’ve yet to lose their edge. If you’re new to KATAKLYSM and want a good starting point, just pick any of their last nine albums, they’re all well worth your time.
It’s not even remotely surprising then to reveal that Goliath is awesome. It’s a groove-laden, chorus-rich, riff-smashing belter. Running to just over 40 minutes in length, it lines up all the stereotypes associated with KATAKLYSM and knocks them out of the park. It opens with a movie quote, delivers ten heavy-but-accessible death metal cuts, and best of all, sees the return of their signature ‘northern hyperblast’ drumming. New sticksman James Payne brings back the blistering rhythms and propels the band into levels of intensity they’ve not seen in a while.
It’s also a great example of how to play with diversity, even while sticking to a particular formula. There’s no question that these songs were all written by the same band, but they’ve varied things up just enough to make them distinct. The differences are subtle, but easing off the pedal and slowing into a more methodical pace does wonders. For example, Combustion moves from a stomping, almost hardcore groove into a frenetic death metal outburst, while the whip-cracking title track is a burst of pure adrenaline. The ominous intro to The Redeemer segues into a thrashy, fast-paced rager while Bringer Of Vengeance juggles the more measured moments with one of the nastiest, most pit-igniting breakdowns since the last KATAKLYSM album.
If KATAKLYSM have one key advantage over the rest of the death metal pack though, it’s that they’re very easy to listen to. Maurizio Iacono might sing like a man whose lungs are on fire, but his lyrics aren’t indecipherable screams or low-register growls. Even newbies will be able to make them out, while also enjoying the plentiful hooks and well-crafted melodies propping it all up. Any young metalhead that’s cut their teeth on MACHINE HEAD or LAMB OF GOD and is ready to graduate to something marginally heavier will love this.
If there is one drawback it’s that Goliath isn’t a significant step forward and it isn’t noticeably different to their existing material. However, it’s not a step back either. Sometimes metal just needs to be reliably awesome and KATAKLYSM have been filling that niche admirably for over 20 years. Remember when The Undertaker could always be counted on to win at Wrestlemania? That’s KATAKLYSM, and there’s no sign of a Brock Lesnar showing up yet.
Rating: 8/10
Goliath is set for release on August 11th via Nuclear Blast Records.
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