Canadian extreme metallers KATAKLYSM were honored recently at a performance in Stuttgart, Germany, with a plaque commemorating their 15 year relationship with Nuclear Blast Records.

Footage of the band receiving the award on stage can be viewed below.

Nuclear Blast has confirmed an October release date for Kataklysm's new album, Heaven's Venom.

Guitarist J-F Dagenais commented recently: "I'm really excited to be deep into the writing process for the new Kataklysm album, the band is more focused then ever: This album will be different then Prevail, but will still have the classic Kataklysm trademarks and hooks. You will see a much more intricate record then we've done in the past. It will contain some really fast and dynamic parts, but we will also aim on a very melodic driven record and it will contain lots of technical parts as well that we haven't explored much lately. And no worries, the bone crushing grooves are always a must with Kataklysm and will be present. I've also seen Maurizio's lyrics for this album so far and let me tell you that they hit really hard. I know it's a very personal album to him as he is going through some tough times in his personal life. So I'm not worried on what he will bring to this record, so expect a very real, aggressive and determined Kataklysm album! We know we have set the bar high for ourselves, but we are confident to deliver the goods once again. On the production end I will handle the recording as usual, but for the mix we have decided to enlist Tue Madsen from Denmark. We feel he captured best the band's sound on In The Arms Of Devastation. We feel it's a winning team and we're gonna make sure you have the best sounding record to date."

Kataklysm will be direct support to German thrash legends KREATOR on the band's upcoming headline tour through North American in March.

Kataklysm have now added the following headlining dates, with support from LIGHTNING SWORDS OF DEATH and LAZARUS A.D., taking place on off-dates from the Kreator tour:

March

22 - Las Vegas , NV - Cheyenne Saloon

April

1 - Virginia Beach, VA - Gil's Bar & Grill
2 - Farmingdale, NY - Crazy Donkey

Kataklysm frontman Maurizio Iacono recently commented on the Kreator tour:

"Growing up on thrash and speed metal, Kreator was always on the top of my playlist. I would call them the European SLAYER! Well, all of us in Kataklysm are fans so I can’t express how happy we are to have been offered this tour with this legendary band! It’s safe to say that we will be bringing a strong and heavy hitting set list. Let there be blood!"

Kataklysm are confirmed for the following dates. EVILE, Lightning Swords Of Death and Lazarus A.D. are also on the bill.

March

18 - Corazon - Seattle, WA
19 - Rickshaw Theater - Vancouver, BC
20 - Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR
21 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA
23 - House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
24 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA
25 - The Rock - Tucson, AZ
27 - Emo's Alternative Lounging - Austin, TX
28 - Meridian - Houston, TX
30 - The Club at Firestone - Orlando, FL
31 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA