November 8th, 2023
Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
Words & Pics: Billy Klare
Kataklysm launched their Ontario and Quebec provincial tour run in Toronto, Ontario on November 8th at Lee’s Palace. The band formed in Montreal, Quebec in 1991 so this tour brings them home to their roots despite the fact that half the band currently live in the United States. Kataklysm are touring in support of their fifteenth album “Goliath”. I got to see Kataklysm in August at 2023 Wacken Open Air who performed in front of a large festival audience that day (up to fifteen thousand people by my estimate), so I was was eager to see how they would transition to a small venue tour. As a side note, the Kataklysm Wacken performance was my favorite of the entire festival this year.
This particular tour stop included three local Ontario supporting acts – Raider, Of Hatred Spawn, and AquilA. The weather outside was gloomy and cold with brutal freezing rain, rather fitting for an all Canadian death / thrash metal show. Kataklysm vocalist Maurizio apologized to fans in advance that the sound may not be optimal because the band was stuck in weather related traffic and had no time for sound check. Attendance was surprisingly light for this event, estimated at 50% – 60% max venue capacity. Maybe it was due to the bad weather or more likely a ridiculously busy week of Toronto metal shows that also included 1) Frozen Soul & 200 Stab Wounds, 2) Suffocation & Incantation and 3) Katatonia.
AQUILA
AquilA took the stage first and I was completely unfamiliar with them. Some quick research on the way to the venue indicated AquilA formed in 2006 with a few demos, EP’s, and one full length studio album to their credit. Their latest release is a four track EP titled The Great Fire from 2022 that was described as metalcore. I arrived in time to hear four songs and the music did have a metalcore vibe but that definition wasn’t all encompassing. The band injected some cool melodic elements and showcased some death and thrash metal influences at times. Sadly, the venue was only 10% – 15% full at this point, but AquilA still gave maximum effort. Vocalist Mark Arruda cursed the Toronto traffic throughout the set as the other bands did.
OF HATRED SPAWN
Of Hatred Spawn was up next mostly playing songs from their self-titled full length album released way back in 2018. I enjoyed their straight-forward death metal approach that featured heavy chugging guitar riffs, interesting lead work, assaultive drumming, and legible growling vocals. It wasn’t groundbreaking death metal but it’s clear to me Of Hatred Spawn have all the death metal tools in their toolbox needed to be successful. It all worked for me, and the set flew by which is a good sign. I wonder why these guys haven’t released any new music in five years given their promising first effort. I was also impressed by Of Hatred Spawn’s stage presence and tight execution. Fans of straight-forward death metal should check these guys out and hopefully we will get some new material soon.
RAIDER
These guys were the best surprise of the night for me. Local death-thrashers Raider were the final supporting act adding some welcomed thrash variety to the mostly death metal line-up. Raider who formed in 2017, recently released their second full length studio album Trial By Chaos and it’s a monster album (I ordered it right after the show odn Raider’s Bandcamp page via Redefining Darkness Records). My first impression was these guys can really rip an shred and I was greatly impressed by their stage antics which rivaled many thrash legends with far more experience.
Raider stood out thanks to their razor-sharp guitar riffing and impressive leads, dynamic drumming, and powerful well-executed vocal delivery. The songwriting was very memorable incorporating plenty of melodic and technical surprises. Fans of death and thrash metal need to hear this album ASAP, it’s a thrashterpiece.
KATAKLYSM
Canadian death metal stalwarts Kataklysm took the stage just after 10pm unleashing their “Northern Hyperblast” musical assault to an eager head-banging crowd. The stage design and lighting was 100% no frills with all the focus placed on the music. In fact, Maurizio Iacono stated this was an “early day” type of tour where the band was driving themselves to each gig in small vans, no fancy tour busses this time. Kataklysm always appeared to be a down-to-earth band and this stripped down tour proves it with all band members eager to interact with the fans via high fives and fist pumps between each song in the set.
I’m always impressed by Kataklysm’s intense energy and explosiveness on stage. The hook laced riffing, powerful no-nonsense vocal delivery, and the relentless blast beat drumming fueled the nights mosh pit fury. Guitarist J-F Dagenaise and bassist Stephane Barbe frequently switched stage sides, relentlessly attacking their instruments with great intensity. Maurizio offered a masterclass in working the crowd ensuring maximum audience participation. Newest band member James Payne’s drumming was incredibly tight and precise but Maurizio jokingly gave him a hard time when he started one of the songs incorrectly.
Kataklysm played three tracks from the excellent Goliath album including ‘Bringer Of Vengeance’, ‘Dark Wings Of Deception’, and ‘Die As A King’ that all went over very well with fans. The most favorable crowd reaction was reserved for some of the classics like ‘In Shadows And Dust’, ‘As I Slither’, ‘Crippled & Broken’, and ‘The Ambassador Of Pain’. These classic tracks were my favorites as well but I also greatly enjoyed ‘Narcissist’, ‘Outsider’, ‘Soul Destroyer’, ‘The Black Sheep’, and ‘Thy Serpents Tongue’ from the brilliant Meditations and Of Ghosts and Gods records.
The only disappointing aspect of the smaller venue show was the absence of the signature Kataklysm security stress test where Maurizio encourages insane levels of crowd surfing that overwhelms security staff catching all the bodies flowing towards the stage. Having seen this security test at multiple large European metal festivals with hundreds to thousands of surfers over my head, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Unfortunately, the crowd tonight was too small to do this safely and more importantly, there’s no stage security at Lee’s Palace.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In conclusion, Kataklysm delivered a crushing set led by near perfect song selection spanning most of the band discography. As previously mentioned, this was a no frills show but that works for a band like Kataklysm with no gimmicks. They came, they bludgeoned the audience, and everyone left fulfilled (and a little beat up). What more could a death metal fan ask for? I also discovered some new local talent which was a nice bonus. I must acknowledge Raider who delivered an impressive thrash fueled set that blew me away. I encourage everyone to check out the newest Raider record, it’s outstanding.