Killswitch Engage is a metalcore band straight outta Massachussets USA. Their self titled debut album is full of raw power that will please most metal fans, and some of the most aggressive music known to mankind is right here. Although there is not much variety on this particular
Killswitch Engage album, it makes for a great album that is in every way.... heavy metal.
While rushing home to listen home to my new
Killswitch Engage album, I was wondering if it would sound anything like
As Daylight Dies (my first KsE album). Well.... it's definetly heavy, that's for damn sure. But, there is a lot less actual singing on this album compared to anything the band has done with current vocalist,
Howard Jones. On this particular CD, the lead vocalist is
Jesse James Leach, and he is a fantastic performer. He focuses more on the screaming rather than the singing element, but the record can do without it. Jesse's screams are full of emotion, and sound extremely powerful. Check out songs like
Temple From The Within,
Vide Infra, and
Soilborn for an extremely brutal and powerful attack of screaming and amazing instrumentation.
The guitar work is fantastic. Simply put. Guitarist
Joel Stroetzel is a very skilled, and is one of the most underrated guitarists of the metalcore genre. The band wouldn't be the same without him, simply because of his tone and talented riff writing skills. The guitars are very heavy, but yet passionate. Joel can take a very simple guitar song and turn it into so much more (check out the instrumental
Prelude for an example of this). The other instrumental song,
One Last Sunset, proves the amazingly flawless and inspiring musicianship that these people truly have. While very different than the rest of the album (being rather mellow and all), it's one of the best songs Killswitch ever released. In the end, I really don't think the band would have gotten signed without him.
Now as for the Bass Guitar..... kind of average.
Mike D'Antonio doesn't play anything too too speacial, but it does tie the guitar and the rest of the band together. The bass sound is quite mighty on this album (ever been to a live metal gig, and standing right in front of the speakers?). He has a little sort of breakdown thing on
Temple From The Within that I thought was pretty cool, that helps him stand out from the rest of the band.
The drums are fabulous... the constant use of the double kick pedal impresses me greatly. I can't imagine myself playing the drums like that without having to stop from exhaustion. The pounding speed of the bass drums are almost as if they had a motorcycle engine running during the recording of the record (a bit of an exaggeration, but I hope you get the point).
Adam Ductkiewicz is truly one of the most talented drummers/percussionists out there... it's a shame he later switched to guitar. (not that I'm saying he is a sh*tty guitarist or anything...)
The lyrics are genius.... it seems like Jesse can pull inspiration out of thin air and put it on paper.Take this for example from the song
Vide Infra:
[i]"No one is placed higher than one another, no matter what race or creed or gender.
We must teach forgiveness and compassion for all life."
A final note about the album... If you Have heard and really liked the Killswitch Engage with
Howard Jones, it may take a little longer for you to get into this album. However, if your a big fan of heavy guitars and drums, pick this album up ASAP. If you don't like screamo/metalcore, then stay away from this album.
RECOMMENDED TRACKS
Temple From The Within
Vide Infra
Irreversal
One Last Sunset
I didn't like this album at first, but it grew on me a lot.
