This live album was recorded December 21st, 1996 in Montreal on the very last date of Kataklysm’s tour to promote Temple Of Knowledge. It’s also the very last recorded appearance of Sylvain Houde and touring drummer Nick Miller on a Kataklysm album. The album contains thirteen live tracks, nine from Temple Of Knowledge, three from Sorcery and one from The Mystical Gate Of Reincarnation as well as two album tracks from the band’s 1994 Vision Of Chaos 7", originally released on Boundless Records. As far as the sound and production goes, albums don’t get any more raw than this, the drum triggers can be heard clicking throughout the live tracks and the sound is really muddy, in other words, it sounds the same way on CD as it would live, and I just happen to love that raw, gritty live sound. The band plays all out on this one, as though it was their very last show, and I believe at the time with all of the turmoil they were going through, that’s probably how they approached the performance. I personally wasn’t a big fan of Temple Of Knowledge, but their live performance makes all of their material sound good with the energy put into it, especially by parting vocalist Sylvain Houde who goes completely insane throughout the 60 minute set. The tracks from the 7" have a heavy groove, with a good rhythm making them a welcome bonus to the album. I’d say this album is a must for Kataklysm diehard fans, even people who aren’t big on the group may be able to get into it as long as they ignore the poor production and are able to get into the aggression the band displays. It’s better than you think.

Written By: Teufel