UMUR
"The Vortex of Resurrection" is the second demo by Canadian, Quebec based death metal act Kataklysm. The demo was independently released in 1993. The original demo was released on cassette tape and featured 4 tracks and a total playing time of 19:48 minutes. Kataklysm formed in 1991 and released the 1992 "The Death Gate Cycle of Reincarnation" demo and subsequently this 1993 demo before being signed for the release of their first label release the 1993 "The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation" EP.
Stylistically "The Vortex of Resurrection" pretty much continue where "The Death Gate Cycle of Reincarnation" (1992) demo left off, with a technically well played, structurally adventurous, brutal, and at times on the verge of chaotic sounding style of death metal. The high quality of the preceding demo is also continued and even built upon. Kataklysm are a tight playing unit and the many different sections of the songs are performed with great skill and conviction. Lead vocalist Sylvain Houde deserves a special mention for his varied, brutal, and quite frankly lunatic approach to delivering extreme metal vocals/growls. Screams, growling, aggressive raw vocals, and various vocal rhythm patterns paired with rather cryptic/abstract (even strangely poetic) lyrics. You won´t often hear an extreme metal vocalist like this.
As mentioned the tracks feature complex structures, and it´s not regular vers/chorus based music. So in more than one way the listener is kept on his/her toes. The songwriting, the performances, and the feeling of controlled chaos, are all contributing factors to the uniqueness and intriguing nature of "The Vortex of Resurrection". The demo features a well sounding production too, which could easily have been applied to a label release from those days. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.