Kataklysm recently set Waiting For The End To Come as the title of its new album, due out late 2013/early 2014 via Nuclear Blast Records. However, it’s been revealed that they’ll be recording the album without Drummer Max Duhamel, who announced that he’s stepping down to tend to his issues with alcoholism.
Duhamel issued the following statement via his own Facebook page about the matter:
“Hello everyone, 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 withdrawal symptoms. I’ve also lost a lot of weight as some of noticed recently and I’m not in good shape.
I’ve heard the new material my brothers have written and it’s truly incredible stuff. It’s really some of the best music the band has ever done, but 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 the Ex Deo nomination, but I will close my contract with the shows in May that are left. Extremefest, Beastival in Germany and Metalfest Czech Rep. will be my last shows until I’m ready again to come back in full form. Uou guys deserve the best from me …see you later Max”
Kataklysm is expected to issue their own statement about Duhamel’s departure. Duhamel joined the French Canadian death metal group in 1994, and (as he mentions) played drums in Ex Deo as well. While it seems as though the door has been left open for him to rejoin Kataklysm, it doesn’t seem as though that’ll happen for quite some time. Hopefully the drummer finds the help he admits to needing and makes a speedy recovery.
UPDATE – The remaining members of Kataklysm have issued the following joint statement about Duhamel’s decision to part ways with the group to seek help:
“We as a band of brothers stand by Max’s decision to get better and to rise from his demons. We all have them. Some of us try to hide them and pretend they don’t exist. Some of us have the courage to confront them. Max has shown strength to fight his. We stand by him and hope that he returns home when he is ready. In the meanwhile, I want everyone to know for those who haven’t seen the Iron Will documentary, that this band’s story is one of drama, pain and the long road to victory.
We will practice what we preach on our albums, we will come out swinging hard and strong with this new album. We will find a suitable replacement and we will announce him in the next few weeks. We will not disappoint any of you. We have read the messages of encouragements you have posted. We have the best fans, and in these classic words, ‘the show must go on.’ Here’s a cool clip we found from Rocky that describes well what is to come from your veterans, Horse power.’ See you soon, Maurizio , J-f , Steph.”
