This new album from Kataklysm is nothing short of a behemoth. It's ambitious, aiming to deliver a colossal sound that dominates from start to finish. However, in its quest to be grand and all-encompassing, it seems to fall into one of its biggest pitfalls. The overall power of the music sometimes works against it, as certain elements, particularly the drums, end up overshadowing other instruments. While blast beats can certainly bring intensity and drive to a track, their overuse here becomes a bit too much. The relentless barrage of fast drumming frequently drowns out the finer details, leaving you fixated on the speed and aggression rather than the full spectrum of sound.

That being said, the album shines when Kataklysm slows things down and allows the music to breathe. During these more groove-driven moments, the songs come across as more genuine and thoughtfully structured. The guitars, which carry a bold, commanding tone, complement this shift well, giving the music a sense of epic scale that matches the album's ambitions. The bass, too, plays a crucial role, providing a smooth, rhythmic backbone that adds a sense of life and movement to the songs, allowing them to resonate more effectively.

Vocal variety is somewhat limited on this album, but the performance is still solid and carries the necessary weight to match the music’s intensity. Unfortunately, another issue that arises is the repetitiveness in the drumming patterns. A lot of the fills and rhythmic structures seem recycled throughout the album, which can make some tracks feel a little stale and predictable. Despite these shortcomings, there’s a lot to appreciate in the sheer scale and power of this album, especially when the band opts for a more measured, groove-oriented approach.

RATING: 7/10