To put it succinctly, Kataklysm never disappoint. Certainly, the run of albums that started with 2006’s In The Arms Of Devastation is one of the most strikingly consistent bodies of work in death metal, arguably reaching a peak with 2015’s Of Ghosts And Gods. There’s a fixed purpose that drives the core trio of Maurizio Iacono, Jean-Francois Dagenais and Stephane Barbe (all present and correct since at least 1998) forward and if the band have suffered the depressingly common issue of a revolving drum stool, it hasn’t served to slow them down in any meaningful way. Now back with the brashly-titled Unconquered the band are on belligerent form, offering up nine new tracks that pick up where Meditations left off.
The calm before the storm, a short, martial introduction leads us to the The Killshot, a typically ferocious melee of whirlwind double kick and stabbing guitars. Maurizio remains a brutal protagonist, his disciplined roar the stark focal point at the heart of the storm his band whip up. No less ferocious is Cut Me Down, although the guitars are deftly used to introduce a hint of melody into the chorus, making for a more memorable piece that will undoubtedly set the pit alight when the band are finally able to return to the live stage. It stands a first act highlight and provides the album with its anthem early into proceedings. Maurizio sounds even more intense on Underneath The Scars, revelling as his band snap necks and crush craniums with a riff so thick, it could crush a whale. It gives way to Focused To Destroy You, a brutal track that serves to maintain the momentum without adding much to what has gone before, although Jean-Francois’ gets to deliver some blistering, albeit short, lead work.
Wisely slowing the pace, the gruelling trudge of The Way Back Home builds to a powerful groove that is difficult to resist. A more melodic effort, the elastic groove and ferocious percussive assault of Stitches sees Kataklysm at their heaviest and most irresistible. The biggest surprise on Defiant is that it’s taken this most defiant of bands so long to get around titling a song in this way. It keeps the album surging brutally forward towards the more interesting slow burn of Icarus Falling, a piano-led track that allows something rather different (and all the more effective for it) into the mix. Whilst the moment of calm may be short lived, Icarus Falling is nevertheless an adventurous offering that stands out above the rest and paves the way for album finale When It’s Over. Augmented by synths, When It’s Over neatly caps off this short and typically incisive offering from kataklysm, leaving the listener feeling as if they’ve gone several rounds with a heavyweight boxer.
Unconquered on its own terms is a fine record and Kataklysm have, once again, produced a strong album that maintains the power of previous releases. However, there remains a feeling that the album could have been even better if kataklysm had further embraced the elements that help to make Icarus Falling and When It’s Over stand out and, although Unconquered is perfectly enjoyable, it lacks the sheer verve of Of Ghosts And Gods. Still, for those seeking a brutal fix of undeniably passionate death metal during these increasingly turgid lock-down days, Kataklysm have delivered. 8/10
