(Nuclear Blast Records) Total Time: 38:26
Canadian deathsters (or should I say hyperblasters?) KATAKLYSM return with an aggressive (sixth, if I'm not mistaken) record, which is not at all serene as its title may suggest. The album starts with the very promising “Ambassador of Pain”, a memorable track that is sure to damage sound systems around the world. The opening track is so good, I was afraid that the rest of the album would not follow. I was, fortunately mistaken. Bone cracking drums, and searingly heavy riffs stigmatize this release. What's most interesting, is that you can see some IRON MAINDEN-esque lead guitar parts, in songs like “For All Our Sins”. This is not to say that KATAKLYSM have turned into a new wave of Swedish death metal band – far from it. The music is as aggressive as ever, the vocals reminding of MORBID ANGEL (and a bit of CRADLE OF FILTH (the high pitched ones)). The songs are great and the production very good. Note that you can download “Ambassador of Pain” from the band's official site, at http://www.kataklysm.net KATAKLYSM fans will rush to get this as soon as it hits the stores. For the rest... If you're a death metal fan, or even a melodic death fan that wants to try something heavier, you can't really go wrong with “Serenity in Fire”. Be sure to catch them live if you get the chance. Well done!
