Welcome to The Saw’s Butcher Shop! Your Master Butcher, The Saw has another new album, from a veteran act, up on the slab today. Kataklysm released their 15^th studio album, Goliath (Nuclear Blast) on August 11, 2023. These guys are one of the most consistently unwavering and uncompromising bands in Metal to this day! You know what you’re gonna get with Kataklysm – wicked riffs, catchy hooks, head-banging melodies, and “working-man” lyrics – distinctly delivered – concerning modern events. And with little evolution, Goliath speaks to Kataklysm’s point-of-view perfectly.

Kataklysm formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1991. Because of their fast, technical approach, the band have always been associated with the “Tech-Death” of the region. Ya Girl does not place Kataklysm in the Technical Death Metal category (with other Canadian bands – Cryptopsy, or Archspire, and etc.). While Kataklysm is certainly technical, they are very melodious and, often, groovy in their approach. The vocal delivery, while distinct, is not performed in gutterals, but in more of a “gravely” style. And the lyrical content is usually not concerned with the normal Death Metal content, but a straight-forward commentary on society (with very little use of horror metaphors and allegories). Kataklysm often utilize Death Metal structures, musically; they also incorporate Dgent and Modern Metal tones in their compositions. The band have always been squarely in the modern scene – whether that was in the ‘90s, or 2023. Thus, Ya Girl considers Kataklysm Heavy Metal, and a band that can fit in across the vast Metal spectrum. 

Goliath is a great record (of course)! Musically, it is full of kick-ass riffs, neck-breaking change-ups, and beautiful melodies (on guitar and bass). Jean-Francois Dagenais is an awesome guitarist, and has been the major song writer since the beginning. He has his finger on the pulse of “here-and-now,” and his tone, sound, and compositions always relay that fact. Stephane Barbe has been on bass since 1998, and is excellent at filling the bottom-end of the (more) Thrash songs, but also plays beautifully when he moves all over the scale – in a more, true melodic sense. Maurizio Lacona was the original bass player for Kataklysm, but moved to vocals in 1998. He utilizes (as I’ve mentioned) a gravely vocal delivery, mixed with screams and strained cleans. His voice is very distinct, and consistent. Your Master Butcher had the honor of interviewing Maurizio, back in 2020, when Unconquered was released. He is a super-nice guy, too! Goliath features a new drummer – James Payne. He signed on three-weeks after the release of Unconquered. So, if you’ve seen Kataklysm in the last three years, then you already know how smooth and seamless Payne is behind the kit. I think he really helps Kataklysm in the quest to stay “modern;” his style of play is very eclectic and not stuck in one genre. 

Goliath is a record that you play, on repeat, in the background as you are going about your day (IMO). It is 10 songs, and just over 40 minutes in length. Production (by Dagenais, BTW) is excellent; full and dynamic. And the tracks are well organized – supporting my opinion of repeated play throughout the day. For example: The opening track, “Dark Wings of Deception,” is a banger and really sets the pace for the album. “From the Land of the Living to the Land of the Dead” is the sixth track, and really sets the tone of the last-half of the record (and Maurizio is clever in how he gets that long title out during the song!). “The Redeemer” is probably the most dramatic track as we move toward the perfect closer, “The Sacrifice for Truth.” Goliath is really one of my favorite albums from Kataklysm. It’s just well put-together and flows wonderfully!

Rating – 8/10! Great riffs, melodies, and structures! And you already know how much I love riffs!!

Favorite Songs – Dark Wings of Deception, Die as a King, From the Land of the Living to the Land of the Dead, Gravestones and Coffins 

Stay Metal,

The SAW