(Metalcore) Killswitch Engage - The End Of Heartache

[SubtleDagger]

<img src=http://img52.photobucket.com/albums/v158/SubtleDagger/coverart.jpg></img>
I figured I might as well review this now. Technically, this album is coming out May 11th, but you can listen to it here (www.killswitchengage.com/ecard), and most of the songs are already being downloaded by KsE fans. Since this is a pre-release review, I will update it when I buy the CD next month.

Killswitch Engage is now:
Howard Jones - Vocals
Joel Stroetzel - Guitar
Adam Dutkiewicz - Guitar
Mike D'Antonio - Bass
Justin Foley - Drums

A brief summation of the band's history:
Killswitch Engage began by comprising members of the metal bands Overcast (Mike D'Antonio, bassist) and Aftershock (both Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel, drummer and guitarist respectively, at the time). Jesse David Leach, former Corrin vocalist, rounded out the band for their first self-titled album, which garnered them a slot on a tour with In Flames and large success overall. Only with their second outing, Alive Or Just Breathing, did they acheive a large fan base and near-mainstream popularity. Soon after the album's succes, Leach left the band citing vocal problems. Howard Jones from Blood Has Been Shed was tapped as the new singer, and Dutkiewicz had also switched to guitar from drums, so BHBS's Justin Foley also joined the band. Their upcoming release, The End Of Heartache, marks a momumental task for KsE... after the large success of Alive Or Just Breathing, they have to prove that they can still garner amazingly melodic-yet-heavy songs and sustain their fan base with their frontman and drummer replaced. Can they do it?

Well, let's look at it song-by-song. There will be comparisons to their last album in this review, so if you haven't heard it yet, my review for it is here (www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132069). Keep in mind that it was a long time ago as well. :)

1. Bid Farewell - First thing that you'll notice: the mix is so much better. I can finally hear Mike's bass, and it's awesome. A build-up to an absolutely killer riff that is so simple and yet so perfect, and then we hear Howard's vocals. First off, his high-pitched scream is better than Jesse's in my opinion. It's just about perfect. In place of Jesse's low-pitched growl he usually implemented, we get a sort of anthemic yelling from Howard. It works well as long as you don't long for the old KsE, and let them push forward instead. Some undeniably awesome riffs work their way into a huge melodic chorus... you will find a lot of these on this album. They're beautiful and bring to mind the best tracks off of their last album ("My Last Serenade", "The Element of One"). A breakdown makes the song feel a bit too long, but the rest of this song more than makes up for it. 5/5

2. Take This Oath - I want to know if Dutkiewicz and Stroetzel were saving these riffs for this album. They have absolutely amazing precision and heaviness on songs like this, and their skill with off-and-on palm muting is unrivaled. We also hear Foley's skill with those bass pedals. Also, Howard has a great singing part that reminds me of Jesse at his most beautiful times on AoJB. An awesome breakdown which leads into a sort of second chorus, which is a lot like "Self Revolution". It's all very anthemic. An even heavier breakdown with faded-in vocal breaks comes in, and the redone chorus again. Another great one. 5/5

3. When Darkness Falls - If you're a KsE fan and you haven't heard this yet, I don't know where you've been. this was on the Freddy Vs. Jason ST and definitely has its place on this album. This showcases the more melodic side of KsE, even though the verse and intro are just amazingly heavy. I have absolutely no qualms with this song... it's got astoundingly good structure. 5/5

4. Rose Of Sharyn - This is the best song I've heard from KsE right now. It's available on their website (www.killswitchengage.com), and I highly suggest a listen. I honestly think this is better than "Element of One" from AoJB, and that is no small task in itself. Just inherently beautiful. The interlude of "I mourn for those/Who never knew you" is one of the fine examples of the beauty these guys can make in between their metal verses. Perfect. 5/5

5. Inhale - I know... "four straight 5's?" Don't worry about it, all these songs aren't fantastic. I won't rate this one since it's a lot like "Without A Name" from their last album... instrumental, very beautiful and very short. I'd say it just about surpasses its predecessor.

6. Breathe Life - A great hardcore intro riff. Also, this song has a palm muted riff waith an awesome rhythm to it, and it's been stuck in my head for days... I play it unconsciously when I pick up my guitar. Another epic chorus, nicely done. A breakdown that leads into an actual solo... which is the only solo KsE has ever done. It's nothing too amazing aside from the artificial harmonics... sort of just a mini-solo. Well implemented, though. Not a bad little number. 4.5/5

7. The End Of Heartache - Another just about flawless track. I know, that sounds wrong after we've gone through six songs, but trust me, this song is good. The verse kind of reminds me of Thrice's "Sillhouette", except a lot more complicated of course. After the chorus, the second verse has an awesome variation, and there's a great breakdown. Howard does great vocals throughout as well. 5/5 again!

8. Declaration - This reminds me a lot of "Vide Infra"... it takes a while to get into. It's got a very awkward chord progression, but is much heavier than the rest of the album. Howard's vocals are extremely well synchronized with the music here, though, and it's a great effort. 4/5

9. World Ablaze - Very good once we get about two minutes in. In other words, it drags a bit too much for a while, and then redeems itself. It is too long overall, though, and it kind of feels like there's only one guitar in spots. Still, it has a great chorus and some nice melody. 3/5

10. And Embers Rise - Instrumental that branches off from "World Ablaze". Much like "Inhale", so I won't rate it. It's admittedly less beauty and more filler.

11. Wasted Sacrifice - Great screaming again. Also very cool fast guitar parts. Extremely cool when Howard starts yelling and the guitar is still moving at breakneck speed. I very much like fast KsE songs. :D Another melodic chorus with a cool chord progression at the end. But man, this guitar part kills. A breakdown that has some cool dissonant parts that resolve each other. I really like how beautiful this is, too. 5/5

12. Hope Is.. - This is very reminiscent of "Rise Inside"... it sort of feels like a rehash to me. He even says "We will rise" at one point. It's still got cool riffs and some nice singing from Howard. A breakdown that reminds me of "Take This Oath", which is most definitely a good thing. The end is a lot like "Rise inside", and I dislike it, because it doesn't sound like a good resolution. 3/5

I have another track called "Break The Bonds", though it's not on the set playlist that I have. It may be an extra track, but I don't want to grade it until I'm sure.

Overall, it really comes down to preference as to whether Howard is better than Jesse for this band. His lyrics are very remeniscent of Jesse's but I don't know if that's purposefull or if it's a side efect of picking the perfect frontman for KsE. I honestly can't tell, but I do know that this is a great CD and does ensure that KsE is still making awesome music. Whether they have changed for the better is up to the listener; I myself honestly cannot tell whether it's better or worse... I just know that it's a damn good album. 4/5

[Anti-Bush]

Is there anyway I can download those song?

[SubtleDagger]

SoulSeek; but you didn't hear it from me.

If you really can't find any, I'm on AIM a lot: SubtleDagger3. Also, "Rose of Sharyn" is available on their website.

[Anti-Bush]

Anyway good review. :thumb: Dont have soulseek any other way?

[SubtleDagger]

If you have AIM, IM me. You can download "Rose Of Sharyn" from their website. That's all i can do, really... KaZaa blocks all the files.

[iliketoplaydrums10111]

Nice review, I can't wait until their c.d. comes out.

[Ramsey]

Nice review Subtle, I'm so getting it now.

[SubtleDagger]

Thanks kiddies. Just don't expect another Alive Or Just Breathing.

[Anti-Bush]

Im finally download the album and I can say its great.

[SubtleDagger]

:thumb: Any disagreements?

[Ramsey]

I've heard most of it anyhow, before the review. Its alot chunkier in my opinion to AoJB, but its still fairly melodic. I still think that Howard is a better vocalist than Jesse. Hes so much cleaner.

But no, no disagreements really..

[SubtleDagger]

He's a bit melodramatic, but yeah, he's good. He matches Jesse, at least.

[Ramsey]

Subtle, wheres "Breathe Life"?

[Distorted Vision]

Yeah, Inhale leads into Breathe Life.

I downloaded the album, having not heard any Killswitch Engage beforehand. I'm going to a gig with them, Shadows Fall, Chimaira and God Forbid, I only really knew SF so I thought I better check out the others. I'm glad I did, this band is awesome (not really liking Chimaira that much, but 2 outta 3 ain't bad).

I got The End Of Heartache, then felt I had to d/l the rest of the album. It really is great to hear new metal that sounds this fresh after the trainloads of **** that has been released the past few years.

So big :thumb: to KsE, my favourite new band. This new stuff is gonna kick *** live.

[SubtleDagger]

Dammit. I did forget "Breathe Life".

That'll be up in about an hour. I believe it's either another 4 or a 5.

[Ramsey]

^ Thanks. I do really love Breathe Life, and I'm still suprised you forgot it, its the only Killswitch Engage song with a solo..ever.

Thanks though.

[SubtleDagger]

There you go. :thumb:

[BuddyBigsby]

Great album. I think Howard's clean vocals puts Jesse to shame. But on the same token, Jesse can outscream Howard anyday, he just had so much more power in his lows.

[ffy42]

raaar raaar raaar, no voice, no talent, no notrhing, think about it this band is ****. Eventually u will grow out of this crap and hopefully listen to more talented and better music.

[SubtleDagger]

Great album. I think Howard's clean vocals puts Jesse to shame. But on the same token, Jesse can outscream Howard anyday, he just had so much more power in his lows.
Yeah, he doesn't have a very good low at all. That doesn't tend to bother me, though, just makes for a very different song structure.

[AintLoveGrand]

I agree Howard's voice is excellent. But I still miss Jesse's. I love the riffs (both bass and guitar) & drums and how the work along side Howards voice. This album is a go for sure. It sends shivers up my spine, its a 5/5

[BuddyBigsby]

raaar raaar raaar, no voice, no talent, no notrhing, think about it this band is ****. Eventually u will grow out of this crap and hopefully listen to more talented and better music.

exactly u guys r such fags listen to talented stuff like limp bizkit and sotry of teh year!!!!!!111

[AintLoveGrand]

raaar raaar raaar, no voice, no talent, no notrhing, think about it this band is ****. Eventually u will grow out of this crap and hopefully listen to more talented and better music.

It seems that your head had been run over as a child by some kind of heavy vehicle and in the process some obsurd damage happened to your ears. Killswitch is amazing, you are just ignorant (Hey Bigsby, sound familiar). It brings me to the question, what do YOU listen to that is SO much btter then this?

[SubtleDagger]

This new CD made me go back and buy Alive Or Just Breathing again (I lost it), out of nostalgia.

[BuddyBigsby]

you are just ignorant (Hey Bigsby, sound familiar)


:0

I am hurt! :upset:

[xdeadtomorrowx]

Don't ever call KsE metalcore. They are more like nu-metal. Metalcore is not KsE. You say you know metalcore/hardcore/grind yet you haven't shown me any. Nice way to prove a point.

[FACELESSnotBASSLESS]

Yeah... KsE is nu-metal. That's exactly why half of their album is stacked with ballads and the rest is two-rhiff 'rockers.' :rolleyes:

KsE is amazing. Although The End of Heartache is great, I don't really think it lives up to Alive or Just Breathing. That, of course, is just my opinion. I just think that AOJB had much better guitar rhiffs, (Life to Lifeless, Fixation on the Darkness, Just Barely Breathing, etc.) although some rhiffs on the new album, like Bid Farewell and the title track are just as good. It's close, but I say AOJB was better.

Still deserves a 5/5 though. :thumb:

[SubtleDagger]

Don't ever call KsE metalcore. They are more like nu-metal. Metalcore is not KsE. You say you know metalcore/hardcore/grind yet you haven't shown me any. Nice way to prove a point.
If you can't tell Killswitch is metalcore, I don't know what you're on. They're one of the most metalcore bands of today. Not to mention that nu-metal is a mostly nonsensical and biased "genre" that encompasses bands who have nothing in common with each other. Way to be ignorant.

And Faceless, I don't think this album deserves a 5/5 because of that last song... it's just such a bad rehash of "Rise Inside" that I couldn't give it a 5. Also, I don't have the finished product yet, so I can't really know if they put on that extra track or not.

[brendan_leach]

I have bought the cd EoH and its awesome, its much better than aojb and i think ill give it a 9/10. There was only 12 songs... not enough.

[xdeadtomorrowx]

If you can't tell Killswitch is metalcore, I don't know what you're on. They're one of the most metalcore bands of today. Not to mention that nu-metal is a mostly nonsensical and biased "genre" that encompasses bands who have nothing in common with each other. Way to be ignorant.

And Faceless, I don't think this album deserves a 5/5 because of that last song... it's just such a bad rehash of "Rise Inside" that I couldn't give it a 5. Also, I don't have the finished product yet, so I can't really know if they put on that extra track or not.


Hah Hah Hah, have you ever heard metalcore? EVER? Listen to On Broken Wings, Wings of Scarlet, Undying, With Dead Hands Rising, Misery Signals, Falling Cycle, Between The Buried And Me, Prayer For Cleansing, Through The Eyes Of The Dead, Into The Moat, The Psyke Project, Hamartia, Nientara, Ion Dissonance, Life In Pictures, Himsa, 7 Angels 7 Plagues, Adamantium, Haste The Day, It Dies Today, One Dead Three Wounded, The Number Twelve Looks Like You, Walls Of Jericho, Hope Dies Last, Zao, Still Remains, The Agony Scene, Rifles At Recess, Glass Casket, As We Fight, As I Lay Dying,
As Hope Dies, If Hope Dies, Forever Is Forgotten, Heaven Shall Burn, Jane, A Traitor Like Judas, Caliban, Cannae, Chimaira, With All Sincerity, Casey Jones,
All Out War, Anah Aevia, Bleeding Through, Blood Has Been Shed, With Resistance, They Came Burning, Fear My Throughts, The Red Chord, The Judas Cradle, The Bowels Of Judas, The End, Target Nevada, The Ambition, Unearth, Winter Years, Sons Of Azrael, God Forbid, From A Second Story Window, Remembering Never, Redline, Fallen Angel, Excm, Jim Fear, Dead To Fall, Destony, Darkest Hour, A Blessing In Tragedy, Converge, A Thousand Falling Skies, A Shroud Cast Over, Instil, A Life Once Lost, and A Fall Farewell.


**** that took awhile, that's about all the metalcore I know of. Maybe a few more that I don't remember. NOW, as you were trying to say... I don't know my music? I know anything and more you ever think you'll know about hardcore, metalcore, and grind. ANYTHING. Don't test me.

[SubtleDagger]

Hah Hah Hah, have you ever heard metalcore? EVER? Listen to On Broken Wings, Wings of Scarlet, Undying, With Dead Hands Rising, Misery Signals, Falling Cycle, Between The Buried And Me, Prayer For Cleansing, Through The Eyes Of The Dead, Into The Moat, The Psyke Project, Hamartia, Nientara, Ion Dissonance, Life In Pictures, Himsa, 7 Angels 7 Plagues, Adamantium, Haste The Day, It Dies Today, One Dead Three Wounded, The Number Twelve Looks Like You, Walls Of Jericho, Hope Dies Last, Zao, Still Remains, The Agony Scene, Rifles At Recess, Glass Casket, As We Fight, As I Lay Dying,
As Hope Dies, If Hope Dies, Forever Is Forgotten, Heaven Shall Burn, Jane, A Traitor Like Judas, Caliban, Cannae, Chimaira, With All Sincerity, Casey Jones,
All Out War, Anah Aevia, Bleeding Through, Blood Has Been Shed, With Resistance, They Came Burning, Fear My Throughts, The Red Chord, The Judas Cradle, The Bowels Of Judas, The End, Target Nevada, The Ambition, Unearth, Winter Years, Sons Of Azrael, God Forbid, From A Second Story Window, Remembering Never, Redline, Fallen Angel, Excm, Jim Fear, Dead To Fall, Destony, Darkest Hour, A Blessing In Tragedy, Converge, A Thousand Falling Skies, A Shroud Cast Over, Instil, A Life Once Lost, and A Fall Farewell.


**** that took awhile, that's about all the metalcore I know of. Maybe a few more that I don't remember. NOW, as you were trying to say... I don't know my music? I know anything and more you ever think you'll know about hardcore, metalcore, and grind. ANYTHING. Don't test me.
Yes, I have heard metalcore. By the way, several of those artists aren't metalcore... Converge is grindcore, as is Blood Has Been Shed. And for chrissakes, Jim Fear is named after Dillinger Escape Plan, which is a grindcore/math metal band. Considering the large amount of influence KsE is taking from BHBS, I would watch what assumptions I'm making, as well. God Forbid sounds just about the same as KsE; they implement the exact same styles. The same goes for As I Lay Dying, which admirably actually is metalcore (albeit typical metalcore).

You don't know your music because Killswitch clearly falls into the category of just about every metalcore band you mentioned. Simply because they have melodic sections doesn't mean they're not metalcore. You haven't defended your "nu-metal" nonsense, either, so if you're going to argue senselessly, leave the thread.

[BuddyBigsby]

Hah Hah Hah, have you ever heard metalcore? EVER? Listen to On Broken Wings, Wings of Scarlet, Undying, With Dead Hands Rising, Misery Signals, Falling Cycle, Between The Buried And Me, Prayer For Cleansing, Through The Eyes Of The Dead, Into The Moat, The Psyke Project, Hamartia, Nientara, Ion Dissonance, Life In Pictures, Himsa, 7 Angels 7 Plagues, Adamantium, Haste The Day, It Dies Today, One Dead Three Wounded, The Number Twelve Looks Like You, Walls Of Jericho, Hope Dies Last, Zao, Still Remains, The Agony Scene, Rifles At Recess, Glass Casket, As We Fight, As I Lay Dying,
As Hope Dies, If Hope Dies, Forever Is Forgotten, Heaven Shall Burn, Jane, A Traitor Like Judas, Caliban, Cannae, Chimaira, With All Sincerity, Casey Jones,
All Out War, Anah Aevia, Bleeding Through, Blood Has Been Shed, With Resistance, They Came Burning, Fear My Throughts, The Red Chord, The Judas Cradle, The Bowels Of Judas, The End, Target Nevada, The Ambition, Unearth, Winter Years, Sons Of Azrael, God Forbid, From A Second Story Window, Remembering Never, Redline, Fallen Angel, Excm, Jim Fear, Dead To Fall, Destony, Darkest Hour, A Blessing In Tragedy, Converge, A Thousand Falling Skies, A Shroud Cast Over, Instil, A Life Once Lost, and A Fall Farewell.


**** that took awhile, that's about all the metalcore I know of. Maybe a few more that I don't remember. NOW, as you were trying to say... I don't know my music? I know anything and more you ever think you'll know about hardcore, metalcore, and grind. ANYTHING. Don't test me.

1. Half those bands aren't metalcore. Examples:

The End. They be tech, son.
Ion Dissonance. Same deal as The End.
A Life Once Lost. Meshuggah rip-off (now). They're math metal.
A Fall Farewell. I know those guys, thanks for pimping them. That's all.
Darkest Hour. If they're metalcore, so are At the Gates.

2. I see you have It Dies Today. IDT and KsE sound very similar.

3. KsE are metalcore. How you can say some of those bands are metalcore and KsE isn't is absolutely beyond me.

xDead, you know your **** when it comes to bands, there's no question about that, but you need to brush up on your genre-detection skills.

[manuscriptreplica]

Yes, I have heard metalcore. By the way, several of those artists aren't metalcore... Converge is grindcore, as is Blood Has Been Shed. And for chrissakes, Jim Fear is named after Dillinger Escape Plan, which is a grindcore/math metal band. Considering the large amount of influence KsE is taking from BHBS, I would watch what assumptions I'm making, as well. God Forbid sounds just about the same as KsE; they implement the exact same styles. The same goes for As I Lay Dying, which admirably actually is metalcore (albeit typical metalcore).

You don't know your music because Killswitch clearly falls into the category of just about every metalcore band you mentioned. Simply because they have melodic sections doesn't mean they're not metalcore. You haven't defended your "nu-metal" nonsense, either, so if you're going to argue senselessly, leave the thread.


Ha. Owned.

Saw em live a few days ago... they were pretty ok. I wouldnt buy their stuff or anything, but they were listenable. Their drummer is very good, their rhythm guitarist is a tool (he keeps running around... served him right though, his guitar buggered up for two straight songs :lol: ) and their vocalist has a very good scream/yell thing on him. so yeah.

[odio]

instead of downloading it just buy it..

you can listen to it here http://www.flashenhanced.com/killswitchengage/
in a non downloadable format.

then they actually make some money instead of getting little for their work :)

[odio]

oh and the album is pretty good, but i don't think they'll make a song better than 'My Last Serenade' again (IMO it was/is their best song, for the chorus alone)

[Bartender]

Could someone (looking to BuddyBigsby here) tell me what metalcore is? I always thought of bands like Killswitch, God Forbid and Chimaira and Shadows Fall as metal.

Isn't metalcore just hardcore (the new kind of hardcore, like Thursday, rather than proper Agnostic Front-style hardcore) with a bit more of a metal sound?

[FACELESSnotBASSLESS]

And Faceless, I don't think this album deserves a 5/5 because of that last song... it's just such a bad rehash of "Rise Inside" that I couldn't give it a 5. Also, I don't have the finished product yet, so I can't really know if they put on that extra track or not.

Good call, but the rest of the CD is still excellent, at least in my opinion.

[BuddyBigsby]

Could someone (looking to BuddyBigsby here) tell me what metalcore is? I always thought of bands like Killswitch, God Forbid and Chimaira and Shadows Fall as metal.

Isn't metalcore just hardcore (the new kind of hardcore, like Thursday, rather than proper Agnostic Front-style hardcore) with a bit more of a metal sound?

Well, you're right with both of those...

First of all, metalcore DOES come from Agnostic Front-y hardcore, except that it's the modern stuff, not the classic stuff like Agnostic Front, Cro Mags, etc. Thursday really aren't hardcore at all. They could be considered post-hardcore.

There are really technically two factions of metalcore. TRUE metalcore does indeed take the sound of hardcore and add a metal influence, bands like Hatebreed, Walls of Jericho and Bury Your Dead are a perfect example of this. However, "true" metalcore usually gets bunched in with the straight-up hardcore bands to make room for the other faction of metalcore....which is in reality about 99% metal and 1% hardcore, if that. Most of the bands xdeadtomorrowx and the bands you named are of this second faction. I mean, take the four bands you named. You listen to some hardcore like Agnostic Front or Most Precious Blood or Bane and then listen to Killswitch Engage, and you're going to hear VERY few similarities. About the only things you'll find they have in common are breakdowns (the chugga-chugga) and maybe the lyrics. When I listen to KsE (the new one) I think of In Flames, Gardenian, or any other Swedish/Gothenburg metal band... not hardcore. Yes, the vocals are different, but musically there's not too much of a difference.

I know that might be kind of hard to understand... I can answer questions.

[BuddyBigsby]

instead of downloading it just buy it..

you can listen to it here http://www.flashenhanced.com/killswitchengage/
in a non downloadable format.

then they actually make some money instead of getting little for their work :)

Haha, thank you Officer but I can assure you that I at least will purchase the CD when it comes out.

[SubtleDagger]

I think of In Flames, Gardenian, or any other Swedish/Gothenburg metal band... not hardcore. Yes, the vocals are different, but musically there's not too much of a difference.
The only thing I hear in KsE that's like that genre is the vocals. The guitars are pure metalcore to me.

But, meh, whatever tickles your fancy.

[AintLoveGrand]

:0

I am hurt! :upset:

Nothing directed towards you Bigsby, your a good guy, just that guy is a prick and I figured he sounded like that Hale guy on the Alexis thread.

But im laughing at that guy saying sh*t about KSE :lol: But yah.

[BuddyBigsby]

Oh, ok. Much better.

*straightens belt, brushes off shirt. Nods*

[xdeadtomorrowx]

Okay Metalcore is like hardcore. But of a lower tone, normally breakdown after breakdown and lower vocals than normal hardcore vocals. Very moshy too, and most metalcore lyrics is either Christian or about break ups between two partners[****ing gay, i know.]

Metalcore also has a lot of easier things to it. Like theyve got a lot of CHUG CHUG CHUG stuff. Most guitarists for metalcore play either zero on the E [which is dropped like a step or maybe half or more] or really high on the fret or a breakdown.

And if you want to be fashionable about it.... Most metalcore kids wear really tight pants [i wear em! they are awesome! :D] and have black hair [i have it naturally] and they wear band shirts of metalcore or other stuff. And have the gay little emo-cover-one-eye crap too. Also they fight invisible ninjas in the pit. I have and do all of the above except for the hair over one eye, I just let it grow over both. But I like being me and what I wear, sure I wear it to signify ****. But most people in my area don't know anything about hardcore/metalcore/grind or any of that stuff unless I tell them about it. They all think I'm gay cause I wear tight jeans, they are almost skin tight, but I don't like baggy jeans :(

That's your sum of metalcore right there.

[SubtleDagger]

Okay Metalcore is like hardcore. But of a lower tone, normally breakdown after breakdown and lower vocals than normal hardcore vocals. Very moshy too, and most metalcore lyrics is either Christian or about break ups between two partners[****ing gay, i know.]

Metalcore also has a lot of easier things to it. Like theyve got a lot of CHUG CHUG CHUG stuff. Most guitarists for metalcore play either zero on the E [which is dropped like a step or maybe half or more] or really high on the fret or a breakdown.
All of this is in just about every Killswitch song ever. Aside from the "lyrics" nonsense. No genre has a certain type of lyric-writing.

[xdeadtomorrowx]

All of this is in just about every Killswitch song ever. Aside from the "lyrics" nonsense. No genre has a certain type of lyric-writing.

Metalcore does. Read them. Majority of metalcore bands today talk about Christianity[which is getting really popular now] and/or Relationships or Depression or something to that extent.

[xdeadtomorrowx]

All of this is in just about every Killswitch song ever. Aside from the "lyrics" nonsense. No genre has a certain type of lyric-writing.

Metalcore does. Read them. Majority of metalcore bands today talk about Christianity[which is getting really popular now] and/or Relationships or Depression or something to that extent.

[xdeadtomorrowx]

All of this is in just about every Killswitch song ever. Aside from the "lyrics" nonsense. No genre has a certain type of lyric-writing.

Metalcore does. Read them. Majority of metalcore bands today talk about Christianity[which is getting really popular now] and/or Relationships or Depression or something to that extent.

[SubtleDagger]

Way to post three times. And no genre has lyrical standards, that's nonsense. Musical genres are about the music, not the lyrics. A metalcore band could write about anything.

I should know since I listen to Killswitch, whose lyrics are more anthemic and anti-religion (at least, that's the impression I get).

[odio]

Haha, thank you Officer but I can assure you that I at least will purchase the CD when it comes out.

hehe :)

[Doomith]

Nice review :) Ive been listening to the cd a bit. Subtle dagger, I added you on AIM, but your never online :| ?

[Bartender]

Metalcore does. Read them. Majority of metalcore bands today talk about Christianity[which is getting really popular now] and/or Relationships or Depression or something to that extent.

Just because the majority of a genre's bands have similar lyrics, doesn't mean that you can't make music of the same genre with different lyrics.

[SubtleDagger]

Nice review :) Ive been listening to the cd a bit. Subtle dagger, I added you on AIM, but your never online :| ?
I've been on vacation and at work... I'll be on sooner or later.

[Doomith]

Sweeeet as man :) I really like the new cd :) Ive got them all now, i quite like Kse!

[SubtleDagger]

I should hope you either have Alive Or Just Breathing as well, or plan on getting it. That record is amazing, and just as good as (if not better than) this one.

[Doomith]

I have all three albums now :) Im missing a few tracks off the new one, but shall get them soonish :) Come on AIM! >.< Add me im, d00mith (the 0 is a zero)
Thanks dude!

[Ramsey]

The solo in Breathe Life is quite a challenge, no?

Goes to show you that Metalcore guitarists aren't Nu Metal pussies, they actually have alot of talent.

[xdeadtomorrowx]

The solo in Breathe Life is quite a challenge, no?

Goes to show you that Metalcore guitarists aren't Nu Metal pussies, they actually have alot of talent.

Since when were metalcore guitarists nu-metal pussies? I seriously doubt you've heard any good metalcore. Listen to some technical stuff then tell me that metalcore guitarists are pussies.

[BuddyBigsby]

I do believe Chimairaforlife was combatting the accusation by many metalheads that metalcore guitarists are weak players. He wasn't saying himself that they are "nu metal pussies".

[Ramsey]

Since when were metalcore guitarists nu-metal pussies? I seriously doubt you've heard any good metalcore. Listen to some technical stuff then tell me that metalcore guitarists are pussies.

Uhh, I was stating exactly that, cumrag. I'm saying alot of metalheads in this forum and out think that Metalcore is some pussie stuff.


And thanks Buddy :thumb: Exactly what I was saying.

[xdeadtomorrowx]

This is a bit off topic but...Why can't I access the Rock&Metal forums? It says I need a password. I don't know any passwords.

[SubtleDagger]

They're cleaning up the forums, so they have to close them down.

Check the site forum for info.

[MusicIsLife460]

just wanted to say that lyrics dont mean anything to the genre of music sure a lot of the stuff out there is religious, losing ur loved one, break ups, etc. Killswitch does talk about these things but they also voice there opinions and more of the time make songs that can be ur anthems to life but one thing, subtledagger u said killswitch was anti-religion hmm obviously uve never read the lyrics. jesse was very religious and howard is not as religious as jesse but he sure as hell isnt anti-religious. when a band is religious and they write material about God and Jesus they dont always mention God or Jesus its metaphoric. learn what ur talking about when it comes to Killswitch Engage my fav band ever, seen them twice and I met adam and mike and they're great. by the way "My Last Serenade" (a good song but its really popular and thats the song everybody knows but definately not there best) is actually about God read the lyrics very closely and ull see what im talking about. KsE first album is also extremely religious just read the lyrics with an open mind and an open heart and ull understand.

[BuddyBigsby]

I think it's pretty funny how all the christians think KsE are a christian band because of Jesse. I remember reading an interview with Adam in HM(christian music magazine) and - no joke, no exaggeration, here was the question and answer:

Q - "So what do you think about our lord and savior, Jesus Christ?"
A - "Uh... I think he's really great. I like... agree with a lot of his ideas and stuff"

[MusicIsLife460]

hey bigsby not all the members in the band have to be christian for the band to be christian and i never stated they were a christian band all i said was that jesse has written about God doesnt mean they r a christian band. but they're not anti-religion all im trying to state.

[MetalMan]

Good review. I've been listening to the cd for a couple weeks now and I would give it a 4.5/5.

[satanic-panic]

i think the album is more rockinsh than i hoped, and i think BuddyBigsby is right about the voice, jesse had the better screaming vocal. and howard has the velvet clean vocal

[Faster Fingers]

I had hated KsE until I heard Rose of Sharyn on Headbangers Ball. It is an amazing s9ong and prompted me to buy the whole album. It is really great but I wish the singer would sing more than scream because he has a great voice.

[thetallone64]

I bought the album for like 8 bucks when it came out and I only heard one song:When Darkness Falls(which I didnt know would even be on the album).

[The JoZ]

Here's a huge bump.

I had heard an earlier song from the Alive or Just Breathing CD...I don't remember the name of it...something with "Senses" in it?? Well, I just saw the Rose of Sharyn video on Launch...and wow...I loved it...:amaze:

Can I hear other songs off the new album as well? Like on their site?

[SubtleDagger]

Ironically, I had just picked this CD back up and learned most of the guitar lines. "Take This Oath" and "Wasted Sacrifice" are especially fun to play.

It's relatively easy to download stuff. I'm not sure what they have on their site right now, but it's still www.killswitchengage.com.

I'm trying to think of the AoJB song you're talking about. It was probably either "Fixation On The Darkness" or "My Last Serenade", since those were the singles. Did you see a video or hear the song somewhere?

[incubliss]

you're review is spot on.

i really like the album, but at times it's lacking. it's great to skate too aswell.

[The JoZ]

I'm trying to think of the AoJB song you're talking about. It was probably either "Fixation On The Darkness" or "My Last Serenade", since those were the singles. Did you see a video or hear the song somewhere?


My Last Serenade, that's the one.

I don't know where I got "Senses" from :p

Yeah, anyway, I heard MLS before and it wasn't bad, but it didn't grab me like Rose of Sharyn did...

[SubtleDagger]

Well, this album has better singular songs while the first is better put together.

[The JoZ]

Well, either way...Rose of Sharyn gave me a reason to check them out further. :thumb:

[Sep]

Rose of Sharyn is a pretty good song. That riff in the chorus near the end is awesome.

[chrisb750]

They played this whole album when I saw them live except for World Ablaze and Embers Rise. It was amazing :cool:

[Industry-Killer]

Whats up? i was just wondering... ive never listened to these guys b4 and i wanted to know out of their end of heartache cd and alive or just breathing cd which should i get and which would impress me the most

[SubtleDagger]

See my other review and compare and contrast.

[Arucard]

i saw this album and though... ummm what do i think it looks abit heavy for my liking (im a punker mostly the heaviest metal i listen to is a7x) but ilisten and its **** good
i like the singers tonal scale and as usual with these 'core guitarsit there amazingly talented
gj

[DJ Idiocy]

The album wasn't all i hoped it would be sadly, not bad but not all it was cracked up to be! 7/10 .. :)

[Industry-Killer]

i saw the other review and they both sound just as awesome as the other thats why i am confused bout which one to choose. the prefereance of the music i listen to is Slipknot, Cradle of Filth, System of a down, Mudvayne Etc.
so if you think one of either album would go good in my collection tell me!!!
PEACE! :thumb:

[SubtleDagger]

Get AoJB first.

[caspian]

yeah, AOJB is better. The riffs are far superior IMO

[Itwasthatwas]

I didn't like this album. It just didn't hold my interest at all. The only songs I enjoyed were "When Darkness Falls", "Take This Oath", and "Breathe Life". Alive or Just Breathing was a much more solid, interesting album in my opinion. They miss Jesse's screaming and growling in particular IMO.

[Kwash2]

Am I the only person who found this album, or indeed this genre, to be formulaic? Every. Single. Song. Has a melodic, sad sounding, cleanly sung chorus, with a heavy, chugging, open-C powerchord breakdown.

Every song.

[BuddyBigsby]

That's why this album isn't as good as the first. This one is really formulaic. The entire genre isn't like that by any means though, that's just complete ignorance.

[SubtleDagger]

Right, and it doesn't matter that much for most of the songs, it just gets really weary near the end.

AoJB is the better album.

[Magicaltroll]

i didnt really like this album that much...
i mean i havent heard their other albums but ive heard alot of songs by them and this album is just.... different for me. its still good, but yeah i just dont like the songs on this cd as much as the songs ive heard of others, but thats just me

but good review
+rep

[dirge for november]

i think i'll get this one first. it just seems to jump out at me more. i think its howards vox. i like them better than jesse.

[Shadows]

I've heard a few tracks and wasn't impressed at all. But then again they were only clips. I've heard very good things and have been meaning to really look into these guys...goor review at any rate.

[dirge for november]

bought this album. first opinion: what have i been missing out on. good review, awesome band.

[micahmelton]

I have seen KsE twice...once with jesse and once with Howard, and I will tell you once and for all Jesse can't compare to Howard. Don't get me wrong Jesse is amazing and has a very good good low end scream but all you have to do is,

Download the Fixation video and compare it to Fixation from AoJB. THe version with Howard is much better IMO...

Also Howard is a much better performer than Jesse. KsE came to my town on an off-day and played with mastodon and two local bands for $15 for 4 hours of music. Howard and Adam are two of the most entartaining musicians I have ever seen... They opened with Numbered Days and from the time Howard belted "The time approches" I couldn't go a second with my eyes or my ears off the stage. Howard is captivating to say the least..

The thing I like most about KsE is that they don't act as big as they are...coming to our city to play a 70 person crowd on the day before their Jager tour with Slayer just says numbers about this band. After the show they moved up from 3rd favorite band to 1st easily. Gotta love Howard, and Adam.

[micahmelton]

one thing i didn't like is how they pussied down End of Heartache for the video. In the cd version on the phrases "Surrender, I give in
Another moment is another eternity" and "In sorrow I speak your name
And my voice mirrors my torment" Howard is screaming alone but in the video version they do a singing part and cover up Howard's screaming with it, and the heaviest guitar riff at the end when Howard belts "Am I breathing? My strength fails me...Your picture, a bitter memory" they complete remove him screaming and just have the guitar part...

Who are they trying to impress? If someone picks up this album based on this song and on a Bid Farewell when they first hear Howard's vocals come in with a piercing scream and then screaming Sever the ties, what will they think? Will they be turned off to this band because they expecting a hard rock band with a heavy influence and instead get a metalcore band...?

[BuddyBigsby]

I never got to see them with Jesse. I was going to catch them on that tour with Hypocrisy a couple years ago, but that fell through, and then Jesse left soon thereafter. I have however seen them with Howard, and he is an entertaining frontman.

Jesse's still the better singer though. We're not talking about the live performance. Also, I by far prefer the Jesse version of "Fixation on the Darkness". It's nothing against Howard, he's a great frontman and I love Blood Has Been Shed, but Jesse just plain sounded better.