Calgary death grind heroes Kataplexis have had their fair share of highs and lows. With member changes, on-stage mishaps and bureaucratic blowups, these boys definitely know what it means to be brought to the brink of chaos. Finally finding a solid lineup and finishing up the recording of their debut album, and playing with such high calibre bands as Behemoth and The Black Dahlia Murder, the band can see the light of the metaphorical metal music tunnel. Finding strength in the local metal community and each other, Kataplexis are ready to take position as a band to watch in Alberta metal.

This year, the group added bassist Shayn Hotton to the fold, infusing the foursome with added energy and creativity. Besides the additional musical ingenuity, the addition of Hotton to the group has been a “stressful, pain in the ass,” guitarist Jordan Schritt cunningly remarks with a sarcastic tone as the rest of the band erupts in laughter.

“No, it has been really good. He’s the guy we’ve been looking for for a long time. The guys we had before, everyone was on a temp status, but now we don’t have to worry about it.”

“It’s good, because we’re solidified now. We’re a full band; no one is going anywhere,” adds vocalist Kyle Ball, as he smiles and looks to the others.

“Oh, I love it, it’s fun,” a wide-eyed Hotton responds when questioned about his new position with the band. “I haven’t played metal for a long time because I’ve played country and jazz gigs for the past year or so. I was aiming to go towards (being) a session musician, but I love metal more then anything. I love the music, and when this chance came up, I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll go check them out,’ and I watched them jam, and I was right down with it.”

After working to establish a name for themselves within the Alberta metal community, Kataplexis are on the verge of releasing their first full length album. Not lacking in tenacity and ambition, the band is quick to discuss more projects on the horizon, charging full speed ahead. Schritt sees this first release almost like a test run, an opportunity to learn from mistakes and grow from the experience.

“A couple of the songs on the upcoming album are two and a half years old already,” he reveals, and shakes his head, acknowledging that the band has a lot of material to draw from and they just want to get it out there already.

“It has just been delayed over and over again,” he admits. “There have been a lot of mistakes made with the making of this (album), and I think the next one will be a lot easier to do – at least I hope to God it is,” he laughs as he knocks on the nearest piece of wood.

In addition to discussing the challenges encountered in the album-making process, the band members are happy to share tales of gusto and glory, on stage and off stage antics, and the occasional house party blowout; however, there is still a keen awareness of the business side of things. But, when it gets right down to it, Kataplexis keeps their headbanging heads on their shoulders by looking at their experiences as pure metal enjoyment.

“It’s all hard work in the sense that we have to lift our amps, but that’s the only hard work. I mean, it’s all just pretty fun, really,” Schritt says.

“And making sure you don’t loose any gear at the place you’re playing at – very easy to do,” chimes in guitarist Erik Anderson.

“I’ve literally left a lawn chair in every city,” claims Ball, a tradition he can continue when the band heads out on the Western Canadian tour they have planned for this summer.

Although Kataplexis have started to garner some recognition as they begin to play with bigger and more established names in the global metal scene, these local boys haven’t forgotten about the community that has shaped and supported them over the years. From supporting local talent to organizing benefit shows (such as the recent Akakor benefit at Verns Tavern this past February).

“That’s what we wanna do,” Ball nods, as the topic of the Alberta metal community comes up. “I think a lot of people in the scene are trying to do that right now, especially with the CBC (Calgary Beer Core) and what not.

“And the thing is, everybody complains about the metal scene and how there is no community, but then we put a show together like the Akakor benefit and the whole community shows up. There is a community out there, and we’re trying to build on it. We’re trying to keep up the momentum.”

Kataplexis next perform at The Distillery in Calgary, Alta. on April 2, along with Ninjaspy, Warbird and Dirtnap.