Search - Kataklysm :: Prevail

Solid Kataklysm

C. Pedersen | Lake Mary, FL United States | 07/21/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Kataklysm...Same bruising style, no new gimmicks. I dig everything this band is doing and don't mind getting more and more of it. The songs on here aren't as memorable as the last couple of releases, but they are still very enjoyable."

Doesn't fail to prevail

Michael | FL United States | 05/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I started listening to Kataklysm, the first cd I listened to was Shadows & Dust. It was alright, but In The Arms Of Devastation took me by surprise. Like many bands that have been around for a while, they've changed their sound, and it's upset a lot of fans. In Flames, Machine Head, Deftones, even Metallica. For most bands, evolution is needed. No band wants to make the same record twice. For the most part, Kataklysm has always been a death metal band, even when they changed vocalists. Their last couple of records (Serenity In Fire and In The Arms Of Devastation) had more groove metal style tempos. Prevail picks up where In The Arms of Devastation left off. The title track, which is the first song on here, starts off like their other albums by way of a sample clip from a movie. I never know what movie, but the clips always sound dark, and fit in perfectly. The band has never really been known to have guests on their albums until their last album, which featured Morgan Lander from Kittie, ex-Into Eternity guitarist/vocalist Rob Doherty, and founding Into Eternity guitarist Tim Roth. That trend continues here with three guest guitarists: Dave Linsk from Overkill, who absolutely rips on Blood In Heaven, Pat O'Brien from Cannibal Corpse, who lends his virtuoistic skills on the instrumental The Last Effort, and Jason Suecof (who also mixed the album) shreds it on The Vultures Are Watching. Prevail is a pretty straight-forward heavy, beautiful record that I'm sure will please die-hard fans as well as newer fans who started by way of the band's newer albums. Fans of metal in general should not pass this up.



Also, this album includes a bonus dvd featuring the music video for Taking The World By Storm, a photo gallery, and a performance from Las Vegas at DeepRockDrive studios. I wasn't expecting much when I figured out that the performance was part of a live internet stream with fans watching on their computer while sending in questions and comments, and only 30 fans at the show in attendence. However, despite the atmosphere, and the usual setlist of songs, it was a cool show. The sound quality was perfect, even close to the quality on the Live In Deutschland dvd. So, if you have that dvd, plus the bonus dvd from the special edition of In The Arms of Devastation, and you're wondering "why would I need another dvd from this dvd," do check it out when you pick up Prevail."