Kataklysm & Exmortus – Double Album Release Show | REVIEW

By: Jamie Kaufman | Venue: Whisky A Go-Go

           Going to an album release show in general is pretty exciting, especially when it’s for some pretty big bands in the scene. But, when it’s for two bands, who are both extremely talented, you know it’s going to be a good night. Kataklysm is a very popular melodic death metal band from Canada. Exmortus is a popular band, with music that blends together thrash metal and melodic death metal, and are local to Southern California. This night was incredible, especially since my good friends in Disrupted Euphoria were opening. While I only wound up photographing Disrupted Euphoria, as I was tired, I stayed around and watched the rest of the bands, and was blown away by what the two main bands had to offer.

Disrupted Euphoria is a fusion between melodic death metal and groove metal. They formed 2014, and have garnered a large following throughout Southern California since that time. I have seen this band play countless times and they just get better and better. Their most recent songs they’ve been working on all are inspired by classic serial killers, like H.H. Holmes and many more. They are very cohesive and have a tightness to them. Vocalist Hannah Rebel is the driving force in the band, with impressive low growls and high shrieks. She also incorporates her large clean vocal range into the mix from time to time, which is especially shown in the operatic section of their newest song “The Wolf”. Guitarist Shadowsill, bassist Sparky, and drummer Mr. Lips slay on the stage, with their amazing costumes and stage get up. They are for sure a band to check out.

Exmortus, a four-piece band from Whittier, CA surly came in to slay. Their newest album “The Sound of Steel”, was released the night of the show via Relapse Records. They played a 9-song set, 4 of which came from the newest album. I was truly blown away from the moment they came on stage. They have a very tight sound and have a very strong stage presence. This was my first time listening to them and seeing them. After one song, I went right over to their merch table and bought their newest CD.

The headlining band of the night was Kataklysm. I had heard of them before the show many times, but had yet to listen to their music. Knowing they were melodic death metal, I knew I would like their music. Some examples of bands in this genre are Arch Enemy, The Black Dahlia Murder, Amon Amarth, and so on. Kataklysm, as well as the bands listed prior puts on one hell of a set. They chose to play the Whisky a Go-Go as one of the four dates on the album release tour, which was very exciting to hear. They played a 13-song set, which came from all their albums. They played two songs off the newest album “Meditations”, released this year, 2018, via Nuclear Blast Records. They are an exceptional band I hope to see them again, as well as photograph for them next time. This was an incredible show and I am so thankful Disrupted Euphoria brought me along.

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