Kataklysm

Originally comprised of vocalist Sylvain Houde, bassist Maurizio Iacono, guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais, and drummer Areil Saied Martinez, the band has undergone a number of lineup changes of its history with Iacono and Dagenais remaining the only original members. Formed in 1991, Kataklysm’s early output was epitomised by the furiously-paced drum pattern dubbed “Northern Hyperblast”. The band’s debut arrived in February 2005 on Nuclear Blast Records and provided a clear sign of thing to come with themes of death, ghosts, god and devastation. The album was marked by the arrival of drummer Maz Duhamel, however due to injury, the record proved to be his last until 2000's "The Prophecy" with responsibilities going to Nick Miller in 1996.

Nick Miller’s debut with the band came the same year with the record “Temple of Knowledge”. However with the band’s impetus on intense drumming, following the album release Miller also departed from Kataklysm. A string of albums followed including “Victims of this Fallen World”, “The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate)”, and “Epic: The Poetry of War”, before the band released their most successful album to date “Shadows & Dust” in 2002. Garnering a wave of positive attention and their most significant sales figures to date, the record was marked by its melodic elements on top the death metal sensibilities.

Coupled with their popularity in the U.S. and Canada, Kataklysm have also enjoyed success in parts of mainland Europe including Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. In 2004 the group issued their seventh studio album to date “Serenity in Fire”, which like its predecessors, was followed by an extensive worldwide tour to connect with international fans. Going from strength the strength, the record helped boost the band’s death metal profile and paved the way for the subsequent albums “In the Arms of Devastation”, “Prevail”, “Heaven’s Venom”, “Waiting For the End To Come”, and “Of Ghosts and Gods”.