Kataklysm is a band that always seems to deliver 100% and is able to outdo themselves on every album. Being around now for such a long time, they have always succeeded in maintaining their brutality and their edge without abandoning the roots, but with that, they are also able to bring some new tricks and twists to the table to keep their work engaging. Whether you have been following them since Sorcery, or are new on board with Meditations, Kataklysm has always maintained their brutality, evolution and signature sound of pure darkness. 

In their new album Unconquered, they multiplied everything that made their 2018 release of Meditations to infinity. With moments of sheer insanity and aggression to moments that are more melancholy or emotional in general, Kataklysm is once again able to deliver. It is only appropriate that this album is called Unconquered. 

The Killshot opens up with a very doozy and melodic guitar tone that sets a ton of atmosphere and darkness. This intro braces you for the inevitable impact that lies ahead. You hear the drums kick in and then Maruizio unleashes the ultimate growl leading you into a realm of intense riffs. There is immediate groove and intensity once this song kicks in. Cut Me Down hasall out speed demonstrated right out of the gate delivering an all out killing spree of riffs and blast beats. The speed remains consistent as melody also pushes its way into the forefront adding a bit of emotion to the atmosphere. Fading out with a nice and tender guitar tone, you get the ultimate outro to the intensity. Underneath the Scars has all out brutality demonstrated once again with groovy riffs that flow perfectly. The guitar riffs in this track are able to guide you into the realm of chaos that is demonstrated. The vocals are easy to keep up with and follow the structure and rhythm perfectly. There is also an element of catchiness demonstrated in here. The song manages to change its vibe with a very melodic outro and have it fit perfectly. Focused to Destroy You has avery interesting start. The riffs in the beginning follow a similar pattern, almost as if they took the intro from the last track and tuned it down a full step, but it works perfectly. When the vocals come in, the song picks up speed full force. It use of vocals have even more attitude and a bit of a hardcore grit to it as well. In The Way Back Home, the riffs are even more down tuned and they have a rawness to it that deliver a bit more emotion and sensitivity. This track comes right out of the gate with more melody and help reinforce atmosphere a little bit more. Stitches continues its flow with a great melodic aspect in its riffs. The vocals deliver even more intensity. Has a nice easy rhythm to keep up with that has a very head-bang worthy flow to it. Defiant is easily the fastest intro on the album. The blast beats on here are all out intense. This track wastes no time going all in and pedaling to the metal. Icarus Falling takes a 180 degree turn and slows things down dramatically with a very emotional use of keyboards to set a very melancholy tone. These keys then morph into a melodic guitar style that changes the mood from grief to anger and the vocals drive the point home even further. It carries on the formula of the album but returns more to form with the keyboards that make the song and its context come full circle. When its Over– Much slower and more doozy outro but with its slow and doozy aspects, it ends the album with a bit of power and a triumphant attitude. 

Many artists have stated that they are what they create, well in this case, Kataklysm remains Unconquered. With constant intensity, emotion and imagery demonstrated in their brutal sound, Kataklysm was able to begin a new chapter in their career and there is no signs of them slowing down anytime soon. 

Out now on Nuclear Blast