Review: Killswitch Engage – Killswitch Engage (2009)
I make no effort to hide my respect and admiration for Killswitch Engage who have seemingly always, throughout their careers, maintained a sense of integrity in music while also harnessing their ever growing popularity. I don’t believe this makes me a fanboy, because I will and always be critical of every album I choose to review here at All Metal Resource. I think that KSE just happens to be one of those modern classic bands that have the right chemistry in both talent and creativity to maintain, up to this point, a continuous energy that brings us fans quality song after quality song. Killswitch Engage’s latest release, their second self titled, is on the chopping block and will inevitably give the band it’s biggest embrace as well as it’s harshest criticisms. I am happy to say that I will be one of those fans/critics who will once again side with the band, though not without a couple reservations.
This is by far the most melodic and poppy Killswitch Engage album to date, yet strangely and perhaps paradoxically, it’s also it’s most ferocious. Never before has vocalist Howard Jones sang with such grit. His patented melodic portions are definitely present in virtually every song, but his growls in parts have evolved into something far more angry and intense. It almost seems as if Howard was legitimately pissed off at some crazy bitch before he went into the studio, and I’d say that’s exactly what they were going for with this project (see: “I Would Do Anything”). Still though, the melody on this record clearly outweighs its intensity, but I don’t necessarily consider this a sacrifice, but merely a stylistic shift for this single release. Also worth noting, this sounds like the most technical album to date, which again, brings up a bit of irony considering this is their most melodic and mainstream outing. Guitar solos are awesome and some of the best I have heard this year (yes, really, the art of the solo seems to be lost on many a band these days), Howard’s voice, as always, is incredible, and the rest of the band without spending too much time commenting on each instrument individually, all bring the same high level of professional and creative output that put this band on the map to begin with.
Does Killswitch Engage live up to the band’s previous outings? Absolutely. Is it superior? That’s hard to say, because it’s definitely a shift in momentum. It’s clear Killswitch Engage are appealing to a massive audience, but remarkably they have not substituted mainstream arousal for heaviness or intensity, because there is plenty of room for both here. The beauty behind Killswitch Engage is their impressive ability to mold aggression with melody which has turned into their hallmark, and has made them a so called household name in the metalcore movement. On this point, the original mission statement of KSE, the band remains true and has only solidified themselves further into the annals of heavy metal lore and canon. So again, do I think it’s superior? I guess not, but the fact that I must question the level of interest and entertainment I have already garnered from this record only a week after its release shows that it is indeed great, and deserves all the praise it receives.
Inevitably, there will be naysayers who will call this the same old KSE, but I don’t subscribe to that train of thought. Those with keen ears will of course hear similar chords and riffs, but I challenge any metal fan to find a metal band that doesn’t stick to a certain format for writing music; I can guarantee you that you will be hard pressed. This is a classic Killswitch Engage, with more technicality and appeal, and I am very satisfied with this release. Is it more mainstream? Yes, but no integrity has been lost, and that is the magical key to preserving and expanding one’s legacy as a creative force, regardless of genre.
VERY GOOD
Top Tracks: This is Goodbye, In A Dead World, Reckoning, I Would Do Anything
Similar Artists: Unearth, All That Remains, Norma Jean
1. Never Again
2. Starting Over
3. The Forgotten
4. Reckoning
5. The Return
6. A Light in a Darkened World
7. Take Me Away
8. I Would Do Anything
9. Save Me
10. Lost
11. This is Goodbye
Howard Jones – Vocals
Joel Stroetzel – Guitars
Adam Dutkiewicz – Guitars
Mike D’Antonio – Bass
Justin Foley – Drums
http://www.killswitchengage.com/
http://www.myspace.com/killswitchengage
Review by CODY
« Review: Deflagration – A Call to Arms (2008)
Review: Cotheria – The Harlequin EP (2009) »
Comments
Comment from dwajjd
Time: July 7, 2009, 10:01 am
Great review man! spot on.
Comment from Crane
Time: July 7, 2009, 9:27 pm
I totally disagree. This album is mediocre at best. I’m not sure if the band was bored, but the guitars sound muddy, the songs are forgettable and it is DEFINITELY different than their other albums in that it is actually BAD. Go read the Amazon reviews if you want a real picture of this failed attempt. What a shame, I really liked these guys.
Comment from coled24
Time: July 8, 2009, 11:56 am
I am not really impressed so far. I will have to really sit down and listen to it a few times before I can make a final judgement but I see this like I see Wrath, some new things but “cruise control” for the most part.
Comment from Tyler
Time: July 9, 2009, 9:32 am
I loved it. One of their best in my opinion.
Comment from MyVengeance
Time: July 11, 2009, 3:07 am
Well, I think that KSE made mistakes with producing with somoene else than AD…AD is producer ever!!!That is for sure! Just listen to Parkway Drive,Unearth,MyChildren MyBride,Burn Your Wishes, all these bands are perfect!So this change is caused by their producer change.I wish for KSE to come back in time 
fck mainstream love kse…old fan
Comment from MyVengeance
Time: July 11, 2009, 3:09 am
AD is best producer ever!!sorry
Comment from JJ
Time: August 11, 2009, 4:38 pm
I dig the album. Sounds like Killswitch. Obviously, Adam had veto power over O’Brien. Adam D doesn’t need the help….how much did they pay O’Brien? Only complaint: songs are too short=album’s too short. Justin Foley is the man.
Comment from St. Patrick
Time: October 22, 2009, 8:48 am
I REALLY disagree with this review… Forgetable songs, poor guitar sound and it sounds like something they just came up with and recorded in a day. The lyrics are SO cliché and the melodies are far from the standards of the old albums. As Daylight Dies was the album that got me into KsE and no song has ever reached the high quality as My Curse – in my opinion.
Comment from Tyler Coons
Time: December 7, 2009, 9:30 pm
KsE is hands down my favorite band and will be for my life but this new album really made me think if these guys are really starting to become more mainstream. This album was good but i truely do prefer there original sound. this album is a little to soft for me. It is still old killswitch but they definatley went softer. I honestly think for there next album they need to bring go back to there heavey music but do new kick ass music that makes you pumped and want to fight somebody (dont get me wrong i love the parts like the main corus like end of heartache). I agree 100% witht the guy above me , the old albums like end of heart ache, as daylight dies and most definatley the songs that jessy wrote but howard soung on the 2005 tour like temple within. this album has changed there sound in this new album, and its a good one, but they really need to change back but with new songs. thanx for reading wat i had to say. KSE FAN FOR LIFE!!!
Comment from Tyler Coons
Time: December 7, 2009, 9:32 pm
sorry i had a screw up on my last comment….. KsE is hands down my favorite band and will be for my life but this new album really made me think if these guys are really starting to become more mainstream. This album was good but i truely do prefer there original sound. this album is a little to soft for me. It is still old killswitch but they definatley went softer. I honestly think for there next album they need to bring go back to there heavey music but do new kick ass music that makes you pumped and want to fight somebody (dont get me wrong i love the parts like the main corus like end of heartache). I agree 100% witht the guy above me , the old albums like end of heart ache, as daylight dies and most definatley the songs that jessy wrote but howard soung on the 2005 tour like temple within , is the stuff that got me into killswitch. this album has changed there sound in this new album, and its a good one, but they really need to change back but with new songs. thanx for reading wat i had to say. KSE FAN FOR LIFE!!!
Comment from MalcyR
Time: July 6, 2009, 7:16 am
I came late to the KSE party but have to say this is fantastic album, and on the back of this have delved back into their previous releases. To me, it’s what “Metal” should sound like in 2009. I’ve never really been a fan of “shouty” lead singers but this man’s voice is awesome, the guitars and drums in cohesion also deliver crunch. I’ve got a feeling this release will take KSE even further into the mainstream, and hope all other purveyors of the genre don’t get too upset and shout foul. For once be happy that such a band can actually transcend several genres. On the back of this people will listen to “similar” bands, their influences and open themselves up to the whole world of what we lovingly call Metal!