4.5
Everything I wanted in a Jesse return to KSE. Every song a heartfelt banger. I met Jesse, Joel and Matt Bachand at Dallas airport as I was coming home from my honeymoon. Had a chat got a photo then later was at the airport shop counter and turned away when Jesse behind me said “don’t forget you neck pillow” which I’d left on the counter. Me and the wife still say don’t forget you neck pillow every now and then ha
4.0
I think Jesse’s voice suits Times of Grace more than KSE if that makes sense, with the powerful ballad singing that morphs into screams as the emotions rise.
Don't really rank AOJB THAT high, it's like a 4th place. I'd go 3-2-4-1-8-7-11-9-6-5-10. The second KSE self titled is a bit underrated, there's some good choruses and power metally stuff in there.
Jesse sounds absolutely feral on the S/T remaster. Almost an entirely different band, but I’ve thrashed that particular record many times at the gym over the years.
That being said My Last Serenade hit me like a brickwall as a teen. Really started exploring more metal music as a result. Before that I had mainly listened to the classic bands like Metallica, nu metal, screamo, post-hardcore etc