[2] Nuclear Blast discovered the band in 1992 after the release of their debut demo, The Death Gate Cycle of Reincarnation, which received significant acclaim in the underground metal scene.

However, following the album's release, founding member and lead vocalist Sylvain Houde left the band, citing emotional difficulties related to the end of a romantic relationship.

This shift also marked a change in the band's musical direction, with Iacono and founding guitarist JF Dagenais assuming creative leadership.

In 1998, Kataklysm released their third studio album, Victims of this Fallen World—Iacono's first as vocalist—which featured a more groove-oriented and melodic approach to death metal.

The 2000 album The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate) further refined this style, reducing the chaotic elements of their earlier work and incorporating stronger thrash metal influences.

Their 2001 release, Epic: The Poetry of War, continued to add melodic elements to their death metal sound, earning them further critical acclaim.

[7][8] Three weeks prior to the album's release, the band announced that drummer Oli Beaudoin had departed and was replaced by James Payne.