Review Summary: The consequence of diminishing returns
Within the fray of modern metal, the once-revered crown jewel of Killswitch Engage has begun to erode as of late. Through spearheading the metalcore movement with a formula of overdriven verses, soaring clean choruses, and infectious guitar licks, the band is now a household name for metal fans everywhere. But while their early material was refreshing at the time, and has tremendous sentimental value for many, the band has one formidable adversary: themselves. On it's face "This Consequence" is a competent enough record, but this latest offering is hampered by formulaic songwriting and a major lack of innovation.
As the artwork suggests, this record feels less like a well-oiled machine, but rather a scrapyard of rusted parts haphazardly thrown together. It's a plodding, monotonous, predictable affair as every track blends together into a sonic schematic. Although there's nothing overtly "bad" about the album, I can't recall hearing a collection of songs with such indifference. Even the heavier sections fail to stir any sort of emotion. Take for instance "Forever Aligned", a track that opens with an almost laughable commitment to boring guitar chugs before launching into familiar hammer-on riffs alongside Jesse's anthemic vocals. The band teases us with the possibility of change with a bridge of bright chords, but then launch back into the same tired clean chorus that sounds virtually indistinguishable from the others. "Collusion" is another offender, with double-bass and deep growls only introduced after another bland chorus and remarkably annoying shouted vocals. While I feel the band is making an effort to deliver meaningful hooks, the refusal to stray even slightly from the formula ultimately makes everything fall flat.
One major strength of this album, if you want to call it that, is the length of merely 35 minutes. Yet, it speaks volumes this was a chore to endure. Even though the performances are competent enough, there's a palpable sense of inhumanity throughout. To compare this offering to the ferocity of "Alive or Just Breathing", or the timeless dynamics and catchiness of "As Daylight Dies" is, quite frankly, sad. The infectious riffage, huge choruses, passionate vocal refrains, and catchy songwriting just isn't there. Could my angsty high school nostalgia be clouding my judgement? Possibly. But as someone who craves memorability in music now, just as I did then, "This Consequence" doesn't deliver. I have faith they can pull themselves out of this creative rut, but their need to do so has never been clearer. Thank you for reading.
