KATAKLYSM Drummer To Undergo Treatment For Alcohol Dependence

April 8, 2013

Max Duhamel, drummer of the Montreal based death metal powerhouse KATAKLYSM, is taking a break from the band to deal with issues related to alcohol abuse.

Says Max in a statement:"It is with an a extremely heavy heart that I announce today that I will not be performing on the new KATAKLYSM album.

"I have been struggling with many personal issues the last year, but lately the main one has been alcohol. It's been affecting my body in a very negative way to the point that when I came home after the EX DEO tour we just did, I tried to stop drinking for few days and it's been very hard without having any withdrawl symptoms. I've also lost a lot of weight, as some of you noticed recently, and I'm not in good shape.

"I've heard the new material my brothers have written and it's truly incredible stuf; it’s really some of the best music the band has ever done. It's going to be a very demanding album and my state of mind and body is not ready to confront this big task right now. I need to clean my body and my mind and come back focused to KATAKLYSM and I don't know how long this will take. The guys have reached out to help in any way they can, which I can't thank them enough. I'm truly blessed to have them as a family.

"So, as I start my road to recovery, I send this message to all of you and thank you for all the support. It's time to take my life in my hands and take responsibility.

"I will not be attending the Juno Awards ceremony in two weeks for EX DEO nominations, but I will close my contract with the shows in May that are left, Extremefest, Beastival in Germany and Metalfest Czech Republic will be my last shows until I'm ready again to come back in full form. You guys deserve the best of me."

KATAKLYSM has set "Waiting For The End To Come" as the title of its new album, tentatively due in late 2013/early 2014 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Heaven's Venom" will be recorded by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-François Dagenais, who has previously worked with MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX and DESPISED ICON, among others, and mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (SUFFOCATION, HATEBREED, ARSIS).

KATAKLYSM's multidisc DVD, "The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined", entered the German chart at position No. 98. The set depicts the ups and downs of KATAKLYSM's long, turbulent career, as well as footage of the band's performance at last year's Summer Breeze festival, which took place August 18-20, 2011 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. The cover art for the release was created by artist Colin Marks (ORIGIN, EXODUS, NEVERMORE).

KATAKLYSM's latest album, "Heaven's Venom", sold around 2,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 8 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

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