KILLSWITCH ENGAGE MAKE A FINE KILLSWITCH ENGAGE RECORD WITH KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 at 10:15am by Sammy O'Hagar
Killswitch Engage’s newest self-titled album sounds familiar, but that’s not the band’s fault. Well, actually, yes it is, in that the bludgeoned-to-dog-food horse known as metalcore owes a debt to the gentlemen in Killswitch. But even as a dude with what some could argue a pretentious taste in metal (the new Sunn 0))) album is definitely a grower, but it’s worth the wait!), I’ve always had a soft spot for the band: despite the throngs of guys with product-hardened hair and shitty sleeves acting like they’re the only ones to discover the first few In Flames records, Killswitch always knew what they did and knew they were good at it. You know exactly what you’re getting with one of their records – nimble-fingered Swede-tastic guitars occasionally cribbing from the Big Book of Metalcore Breakdowns, vocalist Howard Jones’ good cop/bad cop histrionics, a power ballad practically tailor made for Guitar Hero – but it’s always nice to hear it. It instantly brings one back to the halcyon days of the early ‘00s, when metalcore wasn’t so immediately associated with what was wrong with metal and deathcore wasn’t quickly becoming its fraternal twin.
Killswitch Engage is most likely the best thing the band has made since Alive or Just Breathing: the songwriting’s stronger here than it has been on their last two records. (That’s a bold claim, considering the band’s readymade for radio melodies on The End of Heartache.) But all the things that make for a great Killswitch record – little tweaks to the metalcore formula for the over-eighteen crowd, almost maddeningly catchy pop hooks – are on display here, and more polished than they have been: the Swedish death metal blasts on “Reckoning,” the Lamb of God-ish stomp and hefty nod to thrash on “The Forgotten,” the “Rock Me Like a Hurricane”-style reverse-drum buildup on “I Would Do Anything,” and the noodly opening of “Take Me Away” all provide brief glimpses into the expansive palette of the band, while “The Returns” takes its place alongside “My Curse” and “The End of Heartache” in the band’s power ballad crown. Their problem areas still arise, in that their saccharine approach can get a little tiresome after a while, and Jones’ lyrics often border on cringe inducing, even in a genre not known for its enticing wordplay. But if you like Killswitch Engage, you’ll have a lot to grab on to here. If you hate them, you’ll still most likely be miserable.
And only Killswitch Engage can make an album with uber-producer Brendan O’Brien (who’s worked with Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, and Bruce Springsteen) and wind up with a comparatively gritty effort. Adam Dutkiewicz’s production can be a little on the sterile side to some (unless, of course, you like your metal production to be glossy to the point of having a blinding sheen), so introducing him into the Killswitch mix has certainly breathed some new life into the band. But O’Brien doesn’t change much: the band’s still married to big guitars, breakdowns, and Jones’ waffling between his Blood Has Been Shed bark/scream and emotive crooning. Killswitch bring exactly what you expect them to, and perhaps that’s not a bad thing: they’re still the best trad-metalcore act around. Once they were the best guys in the genre; now, they’re the only band in metalcore worth caring about. If anything, Killswitch Engage reminds you why Killswitch Engage is still here.
(3 1/2 out of 5 horns)
-SO
Completely fair, I think.
worst killswitch album to date….i thought as daylight dies was shit…this is just shit…
and one of my favorite albums of all time is “the end of a heartache”
The song placing is just horrible…I mean i know they love there ballads and all but sometimes howard sounds like he’s singing for alice in chains…fuck man….
another one of my favorites has let me down once again….
May be, but have lost interest in this boring band…
My wife mentioned she saw this band advertised during Oprah
Great Review and a pretty good record.
It has most stuff what makes Killswitch great. Really catchy, Great vocals, Great riffing, interesting rhytm section. Howard and Justin have done the biggest improvement on this record. It sounds as if there are more drum and rhytm overall stuff going on here compared to previous stuff. Howard’s vocals are AMAZING and the ballady songs on the record just pour with souful, emotional lyrics and singing. The songwriting and structures are a bit different than previous stuff aswell.
Now if they could just blend this record with ‘alive or just breathing’s’ heavyness/rawness on the next album…
Agreed. I’ve never been fond of Killswitch’s stickwork, but it’s excellent all over this record. I don’t know what he did between the last record and this one, but whatever it was, the dude should keep it up.
great album
at first i didnt care for it, thought it was a little to weak, needed more balls. then i listened to it again and again… now it has grown on me, id say its their best with Howard. His vocal work on this album is just amazing.
they will never top alive or just breathing, because they are not that band anymore, so I would say this is THE album of this kse.
Weakest effort so far, in my opinion.
also
the special ed album is worth the extra cash…the bonus track and the live tracks are great, fuckin Holy Diver…
The DVD is a little short though..but funny
good review, i just think its funny you say this 3 1/2 star album is probably better than end of heartache which was #6 on le glorious list the other day (not that you have to agree with the list or anything, just ironic)
Good point.
I’m not embarrassed to listen to it in public, so that is saying something right there. In fact, this may be my favorite “metalcore” album next to Avenged Sevenfold’s (god I throw up just a bit when I say that name) only good album “Waking the Fallen”.
HA! I feel the same way about Avenged Sevenfold. I like there music, but it makes me feel bad inside for saying it. Waking the Fallen is the only “metalcore” album I listen to on a semi-regular basis…..and the only Avenged Sevenfold album that has had staying power for me over time.
Oops…I forgot that every Undying album is better than all other metalcore. I tend to put them in their own category though.
its not very good. not even close to being as strong as the end of the heartache. to suggest otherwise is sheer stupidity.
Its not really metal but as far as songs stuck in your head while you’re at work, it could be a hell of a lot worse. I actually like the record, more that As Daylight DIes, but it still is no where near Alive or Just Breathing.
So, they’re the AC/DC of the genre?
Thanks for the honest review. And now I know not to buy it.
GO buyit. It is very good. The only downfall are Howards Lyrcs.
Meh. After The End of Heartache, I gave up on them. I like a song here and there, but they bore me. Maybe I’ll give it a listen, but I ain’t paying for it until I hear the whole thing first.
Its on their myspace, go have a listen
Wasn’t really a big fan of this album. I’ve given it 3 listens already and I can’t seem to get into it.
Meh, fuck the labels. I don’t really stick KSE in with metalcore, primarily because they’re actually decent and can do the switch from “growls” (relative, here) to clean stuff pretty well, compared to the cookie-cutter vocals and instruments in most metalcore bands now. I really don’t bother with lyrics to most songs, either, so that’s not a point for me to bother about. Most lyrics are pretty inane, anyway.
Haven’t listened to the album yet, but I’ll probably snag it before this weekend. Their last album felt a bit weak to me (too whiny and emotastic), but hopefully this works as a good comeback. Chimaira’s latest album sure as shit disappointed me, so it’d be nice to have a better “next” album from a band.
Killswitch is not even close to being the best metalcore band. They’re maybe the most mainstream one, yes, but the best? Hell no.
Pretty fair.
Great album.
I dont know if I like it more then “ADD” or “TDOH” but its def good.
Out of all of the new albums from the Mass bands I would rank them…
Killswitch Engage > The March > Overcome
This is a great album from a great band.
Fuck haters just because a band has success doesn’t mean they aren’t solid.
They have pretty much stayed true to their formula off music.
For people to say they are boring is ridiculous.
They have blistering guitar riffs and solos,and Justin Foley is a fucking monster on the skins.
Just because a band has some melody doesn’t make them suck.
Howard has a great voice no matter if he screams or sings.
I have been a fan of KSE since they were playing shitty little clubs.I am from the same city as them.
The new CD is their best since AOJB.Stoked to see them at the meet and greet tomorrow.
It has become trendy to hate on this band and it’s funny as hell.
dude its so obvious that you are very attached to this band and would still like the album if it was a steaming pile of dog terd, I also have like this band for a long time and seen them live twice (I live in Australia so they dont come often). I love what music i want and i think the whole genre bullshit has gone way to far, if you gonna call a band something dont just be like “o thats metalcore it sucks/rules” and “o thats deathcore that sucks/rules” or “thats not metallica it sucks!” talk about the actual aspects that are good/bad. anyway my point is that this KSE album is nothing new for the band, in fact it feels like to me that they’re not passionate about stepping up their game and pushing their music forward. yes the album is ok, but thats not fucking good enough, not for a band that i once held with such high regard, not for a band that can do way better.
wait, am I missing something? are you ALLOWED to have 2 self titled records? doesn’t that mean they have 2 records named “Killswitch Engage”? Did I enter a temporal vortex and emerge in 2000?
someone tell me what’s going on!
It’s cool man, weezer does it all the time.
Can we still somehow add this album to the top five of the “Top 21 Heavy Metal Albums of the 21st Century?” ;)
this record has alot to offer in the forum of guitar work but i think the drumming is too simple and the singing is painful at times its not the best effort and i dont see what the big time producer brought to the table at all. but still something you can pop into your stereo and enjoy, and p.s people need to stop hating on avenged i mean really city of evil is there only bad record
I don’t understand what you mean about Howard’s singing to be painful, unless you only like screaming, or only like melodic singing. And if you only like one of those, maybe your listening to the wrong genre of music.
i love both styles and have the same veiw
I am on the 7th Track now and so far i have to agree with this review.
I bought it yesterday and its boring. I told myself I wouldn’t get it because I never listen to As Daylight Dies, but I saw it for $10 so I said what the hell. The first track shows promise, but the rest of it is lame/boring. I miss the days of Alive or Just Breathing, but I guess the band has to move on. I do totally agree w/ today’s pick of the top 21 w/ AoJBreathing. It was a groundbreaking cd! Have a Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!!
I find it pathetic that you all label this album as a letdown. Frankly, it’s the best from the band is AOJB. This is basically the Black Album of KsE. It’s friendly to more listeners, but it’s still heavy as fuck. AOJB, I suppose would’ve been the Master of Puppets album of these guys. Those days aren’t coming back, but enjoy them anyways. But Killswitch Engage II is the best. Sure, there’s a lot more melody, but it was needed after the constant sound ADD gave us. The ONLY part I dislike about this album is the fact that about 8 out of the eleven songs have little acousticy-echo interludes. It gets repetitive. The last track on the standard edition of the album is definately amazing. The fade-in riff at the begining makes you wonder, but when the verse starts, you know they finish strong, despite there being parts that don’t appeal to everyone. The special edition? It’s worth the extra money. Though, the vocals on Holy Diver sound… odd. Not horrible. But not some of Jones’ greatest. I would’ve chosen a different recording of that song, if I were KsE. But Rose of Sharyn live is amazing, and My Curse, is a total joke, because Adam’s joking throughout the entire middle section. It’s the comic-relief version, instead of the “Great. My lover just died. Let me kill myself and be with her again.” version in the music video. The album’s amazing. Especially tracks 10 and 11. 12 on the special edition isn’t too bad, but it feels like a repeat of A Light in a Darkened World and The Forgotten. I’d give this a 9 out of 10.
I find it pathetic that you find people having opinions of their own pathetic.
This album is decent at best.
i really dont see how people can comlain about jones’ vocals then put on some shitty band whove sold 2 records and go ohhhhhhhh this is great
this albums slightly better than as daylight dies, slightly worse than end of heartache
basically if youre a killswitch fan youll like it
To me, it’s 4/5.
I have a feeling that they’re trying something…
Maybe when the follow-up comes out, then we’ll know they’re not supposed to be a great metalcore band only.
Remember the scene from jurassic park where jeff goldblum says ‘that is one big pile of sh*t’? Well, kse’s new album reminds me of that. An absolute let down. Adam needs to go back to producing their material. Take some time off, go back in the studio, and please please please create some good stuff guys. Come on!!!!
youtube.com/watch?v=-JFfN5pKzFU
It’s good but not as good as ADD or EOH. I’d say its better that the other Killswitch Engage and AOJB because I haven’t listened to them as much and I prefer Howards Vocals. I think the review is pretty fair tbh.
i was saying before that howards vocals were painful cause he cant sing slow and he trys to slow it down on a track or two and it just dosent do it for me, normally hes one of my favorite vocalists, i just dont know what it is about some of the stuff that rubbs me the wrong way on this record but i just does. still a good record i just think it could and should have been much more
anyone else think that the only person who should sing holy diver is Dio?
I think it is a good record but they could of pushed things a bit more.
Every track is good but almost every track isnt as good as every track from their last albums.
I still love the album and will give is lots of plays but it’s not their best and is def. their most streamlined and accesible.
All I can say is that this album was extremely disappointing. They’ve been getting poppier each album. This album is a little too poppy.
This albun totally sucks
I have Daylight and Heartache. Honestly I feel no compulsion to even give this one a chance. Sorry.
Anyone who thinks this album sucks,
Probably:
1 Listen to extreme metal only.
2 Can’t see the difference between varied, open-minded record and poppy, trend following stuff.
3 Like hardcore side of KSE only.
Get your facts straight.
This is KSE’s most melodic and technical album to date. Nuff said.
technical?!?!?!? LMFAO!!!!!
btw i dont think the album sucks, just that its very average from a once solid band
I got bored with End of Heartache and i didnt like Daylight Dies at all, but i actually really like this record. Sure, it has the same formula of their past records and they arent doing anything new here, but the songs are alot stronger on here and the recording is just MONSTROUS! I feel that the hugeness on this recording could set a standard for metal in the way that the Black Album or Dr. Feelgood did back in the day. The other thing that really stands out on here are Jones’ vocals and vocal production. There seems do be more emotion and alot more layering and harmonies that really make the choruses jump out and grab you.
I do wish that they had a few songs that didnt have clean vocals and just kept up the aggressiveness on, like they did on Alive or Just Breathing, but no such luck. At least they have a few cool chunky riffs and thrash parts here and there. I wonder if they had a def leppard influence on these songs? Alot of the guitar harmonies are along the lines of the big 80’s hits, but that isnt a bad thing at all. These songs are super catchy and sing-along-able.
Getting back to the recording though. That is really why i like listening to this. If this didnt sound so heavy and massive, it wouldnt be nearly as good. The guitars tones on here are way more chunky than any of their past records. The drums hit hard and the snare is so huge sounding that it just puts a smile on my face every time.
I really like this record, but they really need to get creative in the future or they are gonna lose alot of fans. If this record didnt sound so good, i wouldnt be into it at all. We shall see, but for now i love these catchy metal songs!