Review by Tomek on November 1, 2026.

Klaïton are seasoned veterans of the Dutch death metal underground, and their new EP, A Celebration Of Pain, demonstrate that they have no intention of straying from the path established on Behind The Ritual. Formed in 2013 by musicians with backgrounds in bands such as Polluted Inheritance and Burial, the band took their time before releasing their debut EP in 2024. Now they return with six new tracks that continue in much the same direction, delivering a solid dose of old-school death metal.

'Doctrine Of Atrocity' opens with a short, eerie introduction before the music hits like a ten-ton hammer. Some of the riffing reminds me of Morbid Angel, while the deep, growling vocals are prominently positioned in the mix, sounding powerful and remarkably articulate. Combined with clear production and groovy mid-tempo rhythm, the track immediately establishes what makes this EP so enjoyable.

'Eternal' starts slowly and heavily before suddenly exploding into a thunderous roar. The drumming deserves special mention, particularly the excellent double-bass work, but everything else is equally impressive. All instruments are clearly audible, and the rhythmic interplay feels perfectly balanced. 'From Blood To Muscle To Bone' continues the assault with a sonically rich and diverse arrangement, remaining powerful without sacrificing control. 'Doom Parade' is another banger, with everything, including the vocals, sounding deeply resonant and freakishly heavy.

'Children Of God' takes a slightly different approach, opening with deep, growling vocals quietly emerging from the background. The energetic playing maintains a mid-tempo pace for most of the track, only picking up speed again toward the end. Finally, 'Godforsaken' brings the EP to a close, although I find myself pressing play again rather than moving on to something else.

Although A Celebration Of Pain follows a musical direction very similar to its predecessor, the material remains engaging throughout. Klaïton understand that effective death metal requires more than speed and distortion. The combination of crushing heaviness, well-defined production, articulate vocals, and carefully controlled performances makes this a thoroughly enjoyable release.

Klaïton aren't attempting to reinvent old-school death metal, nor do they need to. A Celebration Of Pain is a confident continuation of the band's established sound, delivering brutality without sacrificing clarity or groove. Fans of traditional death metal should find plenty to appreciate here. As far as I'm concerned, Klaïton have delivered another strong release, and I'm already ready to hear it again.

Rating: 8 out of 10