6/03/06

KATAKLYSM / IN THE ARMS OF DEVASTATION

They say you cant judge a book by its cover but with a CD it’s a little easier, sometimes the artwork on the front reflects the music inside and so it is with this Canadian bands new album as the music is as intense, dark and oppressive as the art on the front.

The last few albums by these guys have been good but not great but "In The Arms Of Devastation" lives up to what was hinted at in the past, the guitars are brutally heavy with a strong riff content and the vocals are spot on for this type of music and the musicianship throughout is faultless, I cant say why this CD is so much better, its just inspired I guess track like "In Words Of Desperation" just begged to be played over and over as does "Open Scars" and "To Reign Again". This is Black Metal at its brutal best and as a sweetener initial copies come with (you guessed it) a free 40minute live DVD that shows how good the band are live.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 41 mins + 9 TRACKS