Facing Down The Enemy With JF DAGENAIS From KATAKLYSM

Facing Down The Enemy With JF DAGENAIS From KATAKLYSM

Author: HEAVY Magazine July 19, 2023 Duration: 14:11
Interview by Kris Peters
Fifteen albums in to their career and US/French-Canadian based melodic death metal syndicate Kataklysm are still as relevant as ever.
With a back catalogue filled with success and a recent history of capitalising on every opportunity, Kataklysm are deep into the promotional campaign for their new album Goliath which will be released on August 11 through Nuclear Blast Records.
HEAVY recently sat down to chat with guitarist JF Dagenais to find out more.
"It's a weird thing," Dagenais replied when asked if the whole album process becomes easier the more you put out. "On the one hand we've done it so many times before that we're not really stressed about it and it's kind of natural to us. But on the other hand we're the type of people that we wanna release quality, and we wanna push ourselves as hard as we possibly can. We're always anxious to see what the reaction's gonna be on the new music and the stuff we do. We really do care to an extent. At a certain point you have to let it go, because everyone's gonna have an opinion on whatever it is you do, but we actually really do care. When we hear a lot of negative stuff it actually hurts. I'm not gonna lie, but I just try to push it away (laughs). But sometimes when it's constructive I like to listen and get a few pointers but if it's just mean to be mean I think it sucks, but it is what is."
In the full interview JF talks about the musical side of Goliath and what they were going for, the two singles released and the two part story they tell, how Goliath reflects the current state of the world, taking their time with Goliath and how that influenced the final product, the early days of Kataklysm and how their focus has changed over the years, musical experimentation and where to draw the line and more.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Dive straight into the raw, unfiltered conversations happening behind the amplifiers and drum kits. HEAVY Music Interviews, straight from the team at HEAVY Magazine, pulls you backstage and into the green room for genuine talks with the most compelling voices in rock, punk, metal, and the wider heavy music landscape. This isn't about polished press releases; it's where artists open up about the craft of a crushing riff, the stories behind an iconic album, and the realities of life on the road. Each episode delivers a new perspective, whether it's a legendary frontman reflecting on decades of noise or a breakthrough band explaining their explosive sound. You'll hear the passion and personality that fuels the music, directly from the musicians creating it. For anyone who lives for the energy of a heavy track and wants to know the people behind it, this podcast serves as a regular, essential connection. Tune in for authentic discussions that go far beyond the surface, keeping you directly plugged into the heart of the scene.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

HEAVY Music Interviews
Podcast Episodes
Flesh And Blood With JOSH MIDDLETON From SYLOSIS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:02
Sylosis have been hacking away at metal’s enduring coalface for the last 25 years. They exploded into the metal scene with their 2008 debut album Conclusion Of An Age, and have been repeatedly upping the ante for homegro…
Watts The Big Idea? LIME CORDIALE’s Biggest Experiment Yet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:50
Interview by Ali WilliamsSome bands talk about changing the world. Others actually try to rewire the power source. When HEAVY’s Ali Williams caught up with Lime Cordiale’s Ollie Leimbach, he was literally on the floor, c…
NOTHING: Confronting Decay And Chasing the Uncomfortable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:47
Interview by Angela CroudaceIn conversation with Dominic (Nicky) Palermo, the driving force behind Nothing, it’s clear that A Short History of Decay isn’t just another chapter for the long-running shoegaze outfit, it’s a…
Unburdening The Truth With DAVID SIMONICH From SIGNS OF THE SWARM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:24
American deathcore outfit Signs of the Swarm are widely regarded as deathcore's most ferocious bands.After recently completing a sold out US tour to celebrate ten years as a band, Signs Of The Swarm have now set their si…
ELECTRIC SIX Refined And Ready To Ignite Australia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:30
Interview by Angela CroudaceElectric Six are heading back to Australia, and according to frontman Dick Valentine, there’s “no reason not to do it.” Big, profitable shows, short flights between cities and a guaranteed goo…
Burning Up With DAN MARSALA From STORY OF THE YEAR [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:20
U.S rock/metal outfit Story Of The Year exploded onto the scene with their groundbreaking debut Page Avenue, one of the first albums of its kind to sell over a million copies.The breakout single “Until the Day I Die” qui…
Memoirs Of A Metal Warrior With DAVID GUNN From KING 810 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:17
Hailing from America's Rust Belt, hardened nu-metal underdogs KING 810 have built a towering sonic reputation around themes of poverty, crime and the real-world experiences linked to their hometown of Flint, Michigan. Un…
Venturing Into Heavier Territory With KURT From VARRIM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:31
Formed in early 2022, Townsville metal outfit Varrim burst onto the scene with their debut single Buried in the Hills in August 2022, immediately setting the tone for their signature sound: angry, heavy, and groovy, with…