Kataklysm

These Canadians started to rock in 1992 with the mission statement "deliver the most punishing music ever created by combining melody and power into one devastating force." Whether they are the most punishing band ever could be debated for hours over multiple bottles of Jim Beam.

But one thing is for sure: Kataklysm are an extremely heavy death metal band and have managed to remain interesting throughout their career. Their other amazing feat is that they have managed to maintain the same lineup throughout the years -- Maurizio Iacono (vocals), Jean-Francois Dagenais (guitars), Stephane Barbe (bass), and Max Duhamel (drums). Supporting bands like Deicide, Cathedral, Brutal Truth, Vader, Cannibal Corpse, and Dark Funeral has helped them gain popularity worldwide. Since releasing their debut, Sorcery, in 1995, Kataklysm have been an incredibly productive band. Releasing an album almost every other year, the band followed up with Temple of Knowledge in 1996 and Victims of the Fallen World in 1998. The band continued to release albums like clockwork into the new millennium with The Prophecy: Stigmata of the Immaculate in 2000, Epic: The Poetry of War in 2001, Shadows & Dust in 2002, Serenity in Fire in 2004, In the Arms of Devastation in 2006, and Prevail in 2008. In 2010, the band put out its tenth studio album, Heaven's Venom. ~ Kevin Odle, Rovi