Meditations (Kataklysm album)

Meditations is the thirteenth studio album by Canadian death metal band Kataklysm. The album was produced by the band's guitarist and drummer, Jean-François Dagenais and Oli Beaudoin respectively, and mixed by Jay Ruston, who helmed Anthrax and Stone Sour's latest records. Paul Logus mastered the album.[3] The album was released on June 1, 2018. The band released a lyric video of the single 'Guillotine' on March 30, 2018,[4] and another for the song 'Narcissist' on May 5, 2018.[2] Singer Maurizio Iacono commented to Blabbermouth:

Meditations
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 1, 2018
Recorded2017–2018
GenreMelodic death metal
Length38:47
LabelNuclear Blast
Kataklysm chronology
Of Ghosts and Gods
(2015)
Meditations
(2018)
Unconquered
(2020)
Singles from Meditations
  1. "Guillotine"
    Released: March 30, 2018[1]
  2. "Narcissist"
    Released: May 5, 2018[2]

"This is a very personal album to me with old wounds being revisited — I felt a big urge to pour my soul into this release. The boys and I were isolated under the same roof during the writing process, just like we did in the early days... with no worries except having fun, being honest and delivering a serious album that represents us today but respects our past. Our new story is coming and we are eager to share it with you!”[5]

Reception

edit
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Distorted Sound9/10
Metal Hammer UK7/10
Rock Hard8.5/10

The album has received positive reviews by critics. Metal Injection gave the album 7.5/10.[6] Dom Lawson of Metal Hammer gave the album 3.5/5 stars in his review.[7] Distorted Sound Magazine gave the album 9/10 in their reviews.[8]

Track listing

edit

All tracks written by the band:[5]

No.TitleLength
1."Guillotine"2:56
2."Outsider"3:57
3."The Last Breath I'll Take Is Yours"3:14
4."Narcissist"2:41
5."Born To Kill And Destined To Die"3:57
6."In Limbic Resonance"4:51
7."And Then I Saw Blood"4:37
8."What Doesn't Break Doesn't Heal"3:21
9."Bend The Arc And Cut The Cord"3:48
10."Achilles' Heel"5:19
Total length:38:47

Credits

edit
Personnel
  • Maurizio Iacono - vocals
  • J-F Dagenais - lead, rhythm and all guitars
  • Stéphane Barbe - bass guitar
  • Oli Beaudoin - drums, percussion
Guest Session
  • Francis Bouillon - samples
Production
  • Jay Ruston - mixing
  • Paul Logus - mastering
  • J-F Dagenais - engineering
  • Oli Beaudoin - engineering
  • Ocvlta Designs by Surtsey - cover artwork, design and layouts

References

edit
  1. ^ "Kataklysm Debut First 'Meditations' Single 'Guillotine'". Loudwire.
  2. ^ a b "KATAKLYSM - release second single!". 4 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Kataklysm to Pummel 2018 With 13th Album 'Meditations'". Loudwire.
  4. ^ "Kataklysm Release Their First Single from 'Meditations'". exclaim.ca.
  5. ^ a b "KATAKLYSM: 'Meditations' Cover Artwork, Track Listing Unveiled". 23 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Album Review: KATAKLYSM Meditations". 31 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Kataklysm – Meditations album review".
  8. ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Meditations - Kataklysm - Distorted Sound Magazine". 29 May 2018.