The new album from Massachusetts five piece, metalcore act, Killswitch Engage, has been four years in the making and is the first album back for founding member and original vocalist, Jesse Leach (who sang on their first 2 albums), following the departure of singer Howard Jones. The reason surrounding Leach returning is all a bit shrouded in rock and roll myth. I’ve read so many reasons behind it I couldn’t establish anything solid or confirmed enough to make it too print, so we’ll just say he (Jones) left to pursue something else.
I remember hearing these guy’s first album way back in 1999 and being neither here nor there with it, although some would argue that they are up there with the founders of the genre known as Metalcore or Melodic Metalcore, where the music mixes crushing riffs, double bass drum patterns along with clean vocals and screaming-growling vocals with melodic elements. In any case they do it very fuckin’ well.
The first song ‘The Hell in Me’ sees the brutal fury of drummer Justin Foley kicking the shit out of his kick drums with the twin guitar attack of Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel shredding away like it’s there last day on earth, Icouldn’t really notice a great deal of bass in this opening track, something I’m sure founding member and bassist Mike D’Antonio wouldn’t have been to happy about.
‘Beyond the Flames’ highlights the genre well in its intertwined use of clean vs scream/growl to a tee. It was almost catchy, with some type of twisted metal/pop sensibility to it, well structured verses, big choruses, a typical pop bridge/pre chorus. Maybe they’ve been having some songwriting lessons with Noel Gallagher from Oasis… um no..unlikely.
The album gathers speed with ‘The New Awakening’ being more to my liking, dirtier, more head down-thumbs up type of music. Reminds me a lot of a track that 36 Crazyfists released recently. ‘In Due Time’ and ‘A Tribute to the Fallen’ are what it’s all about – heavy as fuck with all the trimmings that a world class metalcore band would have in its quiver.
I’m reading that this new album Disarm the Descent was released April 1, 2013 in the UK, and the album debuted at #15 in the UK charts while debuting at #7 in the Billboard top 200 on April 2 in the US. The album has received critical acclaim from reviewers, and has been labeled as a “true standout” and “nothing short of amazing”, and I am finding myself complete agreeing. This album has balls, no two ways about that at all.
‘Turning Point’ was the turning point for me as well. I could honestly say that I’m a now fan of this genre, if its done well, and the lads from the band must be stoked with what they’ve done. I haven’t ever seen them live although they’ve played a few gigs and festivals I’ve been to over the years. I must make the effort to see them next time.
‘All we Have’ and ‘Don’t bleed for Me just continue to roll like a Mack truck down the highway of hardcore, surely smashing the majority of others out of the way. ‘The Call’ was one of my personal faves off the album. I dig Justin Foley’s use of double kick on this track – he must be an incredible drummer to witness live.
‘No End in Sight’ and ‘Always’ finally allowed me to hear some solid bass and bottom end, with ‘Always’ sounding like something I heard from fellow Boston USA natives Shadows Fall’ not long ago. The final song on the album ‘Time will not Remain’ puts a deft finishing touch to this overall great album. To be ever so slightly critical, the bass could have come up in the mix, but apart from that, this album is a killer piece of material from the guys from Killswitch Engage. Well worth grabbing a copy of.
Roadrunner Records
8/10
Reviewer: Adam Barbuto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqw0XSgRE44