Initial Impressions: Kataklysm: Heaven's Venom

Kataklysm has been a long-running Canadian death metal band. They have undergone some major changes, most notably the change in guard at lead vocals. Maurizio Iacono has been the singer since sometime in the early 2000's and that change has seen the band get more commercial recognition, but has harmed the band's reputation in the death metal underground. Iacono's vocals are not terribly unusual and he typically only has two volumes: loud and louder. He does occasionally attempt the raspy sound in conjunction with the deep growls, but Deicide does this as well and better.

Even though the vocals are nothing special, something has kept this band going for this long. Iacono's vocals match well with the music and the music is impressive enough. It's mid-paced death metal without a whole lot of variety. It is however, somewhat catchy. The music occasionally borders on melodeath, but otherwise trudges along, just the same as the band's previous albums.

I have been listening to Kataklysm for a little while now after first hearing them on some horrible horror movie soundtrack. I have enjoyed each album the band has put out, but will freely admit that they are all very similar. There is not a whole lot of difference from album to album, but the band is good at what they do. They are just another band that has found a formula that works for them and has kept it going. There's nothing really wrong with that.