Kataklysm

Kataklysm is a Canadian death metal band. They call their musical style "northern hyperblast" after an advertisement in M.E.A.T. magazine describing another band, Fear Factory, as "hyperblast". The term refers to the extremely fast blast beats that Kataklysm's drummer, Max Duhamel, fuses into the music.

Biography

Kataklysm was formed in 1991. At the beginning of their career they were mostly known for being one of the fastest, most chaotic metal bands. However, their music changed after Sylvain Houde left the band, and bassist/backing vocalist Maurizio Iacono took over Houde's vocal duties, and full-time bassist Stephane Barbe was recruited.
In 1998, the band released Victims of this Fallen World, an album which was noted as being a change in musical style from previous albums. The following album The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate), however, saw the band return to its previous style, though less chaotic and with a touch of thrash metal.
Drummer Max Duhamel is said to have been forced out of the band because of injuries. Eventually, Duhamel recovered from his injuries and participated on Kataklysm's eighth album, In the Arms of Devastation.
Kataklysm's line-up has remained relatively stable compared to many other bands within the metal genre. The band only has one missing original member, Sylvain Houde. Drummers make out most of the band's "former members" list.

Music

Kataklysm is well known for their incorporation of movie-quote samples in their music, as well for incorporating some melodic elements into their music while still not being melodic death metal, courtesy of guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais.
The band is ranked 7th on AOL Radio's list of the 10 best Death Metal bands. Kataklysm is also known for a frequently used drum pattern known as "Northern Hyperblast". The pattern often contains fast sixteenth beats on the snare drum, which are combined with a slow beat on the bass drum. The following example shows an excerpt from The Road to Devastation:
 

Members

 

Current members

• Maurizio Iacono – Vocals (1998-Present), Bass Guitar (1991-1998)
• Jean-Francois Dagenais – Guitars (1991-Present)
• Stephane Barbe – Bass (1997-Present)
• Max Duhamel – Drums (1994-Present)

Former members

• Sylvain Houde (1991-1998) – Vocals
• Martin Maurais (2004-2005) – Drums
• Jean-François Richard (2002-2004) – Drums
• Nick Miller (1996-1998) – Drums
• Mark-Anthony Marino (1992) – Drums
• Ariel Saied (Martinez)(1991-1992) – Drums