Customer Reviews

End of Heartache (Bonus CD) (Spec)

5 star:		(189)
4 star:		(57)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(24)

 

 

Coming off the underground success of their previous album, "Alive or Just Breathing," Killswitch Engage have released a follow-up that should only solidify their reputation as one of heavy music's top young bands. These guys were already established as a leading band in the crowded melodic hardcore genre, and "The End of Heartache" sees their sound becoming even more focused and diverse. While still a notch below the truly great heavy bands like Burnt By The Sun, the Dillinger Escape Plan, and Meshuggah, KSE are definitely on their way up. Three albums into their career, they may well be peaking right now.

What's most impressive about this album is just how tightly written and played it is. Every song is calculated for maximum visceral and emotional impact, with the band deftly exploiting dynamics as they careen back and forth between balls-out aggression and soaring melodies. Yes, there are plenty of bands in the metal/hardcore/metalcore/whatever genre doing that right now, but KSE are still notable for the emotion, creativity, and musicianship they bring to the genre. Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel lead the charge with a devastating two-guitar assault, cranking out some complex and interesting riff structures without sacrificing the intensity that's at the core of the band's sound. Howard Jones also deserves a great deal of credit, stepping in on vocals for the departed Jesse Leach without missing a beat and somehow managing to raise the emotional stakes even higher than his predecessor. Howard's screams are more jarring, and his clean singing clearer, making him a perfect match for the band's unpredictable, wide-ranging sound. Throw in a pile-driving rhythm section, and you've got a band that's getting very good at combining power with polish.

While KSE may not be the most original band out there, they do show quite a knack for combining the sounds of those who came before them. While there is plenty of uncompromising hardcore stomp on display, much of "The End of Heartache" sees KSE expanding their genre-bending approach. The opening "A Bid Farewell" packs more sonic shifts into four minutes than many bands do on an entire album, starting out with some chunky, heavy rhythms before taking off at breakneck speed and then stopping dead in its tracks for a big, epic chorus. Alternating monstrous riffage and chugging basslines with hard-driving guitar harmonies, "Take This Oath" sounds sort of like Fear Factory crossbred with In Flames. The title track, featuring an abundance of singing and some slightly corny lost-love lyrics, may veer uncomfortably close to ballad territory for some, but it's an undeniably powerful song whose melancholy mood is occasionally shattered by Howard's piercing shrieks.

There are a few nods to the old school to be found here, as well. "Rose of Sharyn" is reminiscent of Iron Maiden in its grand sweep, driven by some aggressive hooks and insanely catchy guitar interplay. The lightning-fast riffs and airtight double-bass drumming of "Declaration" show an '80's thrash influence, sort of like Metallica or Testament given a 21st-century update. And in something of a curveball, the tricky rhythms and abrupt time changes of "World Ablaze" see the band going in a more technical, "mathy" direction that could serve them very well on future albums. It's not quite Meshuggah, but it's a start.

All in all, "The End of Heartache" is one immensely enjoyable album from a band that seems to be showing a real commitment to maturity and diversity. It's good to see that heavy music's recent resurgence hasn't come to an end quite yet. If you want some metallic fury rocked with rage and intelligence, this is a good place to look. Come year-end, this album should wind up on more than a few "best-of" lists.

Well, even though I hate roadrunner for releasing things like this less then a year after the cd came out. I love this digipack, the live versions of Life to Lifeless, Fixation on Darkness and My Last Seranade are incredible. The only track that seems like it doesn't belong is the resident evil version of the end of heartache, pretty much the same song just filler.
Plus you get the incredible " The End of Heartache" on the first disk. I bought the end of heartache on its first day out and I was simply blown away. So buying this was pretty much a no brainer Great cd. Also comes with a cool new slipcase. Stop reading this and buy it already.

Throughout my meandering of the Amazon.com website researching bands and seeing what my fellow users think of them, I have made a few observations that I'd like to share.

First, I think that everyone who writes a review on this site should at least run his/her review through a spell-checker. Now granted, a lot of you are unemployed GED recipients living in your parents' basement, and I know your grammar and diction are not at the top of their respective games. Nonetheless, a simple copy/paste from your browser into Word should do the trick.

Second, I think that reviewers tend to make mistakes when they compare bands. For example, comparing Killswitch Engage to Nine Inch Nails is like comparing Smashing Pumpkins to Rancid; they're not even on the same radar screen. At least make comparisons in the same genre. If Nine Inch Nails is a poser band, run them up against Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Front Line Assembly, or KMFDM. If Killswitch Engage is a poser band, run them up against Lamb of God, God Forbid, Machine Head, Atreyu, or Avenged Sevenfold. Apples to apples people; simple math.

Third, I think my definition of brutal is VASTLY different from that of some users on this site. While "The End of Heartache" is an excellent album, and while it is definitely harder-edged than your standard Korn or Linkin Park CD, it is without a doubt NOT the most brutal, maniacal music I've ever heard. And it is FAR from being the most brutal album of the millennium. It definitely would take a band like Suffocation, Vital Remains, Cannibal Corpse, Cattle Decapitation, or Myrksgog to wrangle that title. Sad thing is, it's 2004 and we're 996 years away from the end of the millennium. Who knows? A more brutal band JUST MIGHT come along.

Now that I'm off my soapbox, on to the meat of the matter. "The End of Heartache" is probably KSE's most accessible release to date. Howard Jones' vocals are on target, and display a versatility not often seen in the metal scene today (by versatile, I mean he can sing AND scream in tune, not oscillate between guttural growling and high-pitched screams). "Rose of Sharyn" and the title track demonstrate the band's ability to write emotionally-charged songs with which anyone can identify while maintaining the album's hard-edged appeal. The musicianship is superb and the album stands up quite nicely to repeated listenings.

Killswitch Engage have definitely carved a name for themselves in the metal world, and it would be a mistake on the part of any fan of extreme music to write them off. They might be more "popular" than a lot of heavy bands out there, but that does not by ANY means diminish their ability to turn out a quality album.

I first got into Killswitch after hearing "When Darkness Falls" and buying their second album, "Alive Or Just Breathing". It was a great CD and had many good songs. However, "When Darkness Falls" was on a soundtrack and had a new vocalist and I couldn't wait to hear the new CD. Finally when it came out, the verdict was in. This album is something else entirely. This album is a modern masterpiece.

From the opening of "A Bid Farewell" to the very end, this album is awesome. Highlights are "Rose Of Sharyn", "When Darkness Falls", "A Bid Farewell", "Take This Oath", "Breathe Life", and the excellent title track. There isn't one bad song on the disc, though. This is one of those albums that once you hear it, you know it's something really special. New vocalist Howard Jones has a deep, rich voice and can also let out a powerful scream.

There will be a lot riding on the follow-up to this brilliant album, but I know KsE will not dissapoint. Definately pick up this CD, I highly recommend it. You won't regret it.

Killswitch Engage are one of the best metal bands to emerge in recent years. I, being relatively new to the world of metal, first heard their song "When Darkness Falls" on the "Freddy Vs. Jason" soundtrack a few years back. It blew me away, but I wasn't sure whether or not I was convinced enough to buy one of their albums. Then I heard another song by them on the "Headbanger's Ball Volume One" compilation, and decided that I could ignore them no longer. I went and got "Alive or Just Breathing," an unbelievably awesome CD, and one of the few I could play the entire way through without having to skip a song. After this album, Killswitch parted ways with their singer Jesse David Leach and recruited vocalist Howard Jones as their new frontman. Although some saw this as the beginning of the end for the band, many others welcomed it as a good step in a fresh new direction. I was already biased towards Jones, mainly because he provided the vocals for the two songs that got me hooked on the band, and though Leach is by no means a bad singer, I personally prefered Jones. Now I'm sure there are bunch of you out there who already hate me and are now ready to press "no" at the bottom of this review. I can't really do much to stop you besides finishing my critique. From the second I saw "Rose of Sharyn" on Headbanger's Ball, I knew I had to get this CD. I promptly did, and let me tell you, it's hands down one of the best investments I've ever made. The opening "A Bid Farewell" features an extremely headbangable rhythmic opening, and goes on to display what this band is all about: a good amount of heaviness, a good amount of melody, and an overall sense of power. "Take This Oath" is up next, and though it is not as memorable as "A Bid Farewell," it's still a good song. "When Darkness Falls" is one of the best songs on the album. It is slightly (very slightly) altered from its original version, but it retains its greatness nevertheless. "Rose of Sharyn" follows, and is perhaps the most popular song on the CD. This popularity is justified, as it too is one of the best songs found here. "Inhale" is the melodic instrumentalopening for "Breathe Life," a rather heavy track that, when it relents on its heaviness for the chorus, expresses a message of optimism and hope (themes that appear recurringly throughout the CD). The title track is up seventh, and though some find it too melodic for their tastes, I think that it's a good example of Killswitch's lighter side. "Declaration" is similar to "Take this Oath," if only due to the fact that neither are that memorable at first. After a few listens, though, this song will grow on you big time. "World Ablaze" is an epic track of inspiration, and another one of the album's high points. Its awe-inspiring finale leads straight into "...And Embers Rise," another sedate and melodic instrumental. "Wasted Sacrifice" is yet another good song, and one which also possesses a good message about taking action for what you think is right. "Hope Is...", the last song on the album, is another one of my favorites, and it features great work from the band as a whole. The special edition of this CD (which I happily paid for, even though I own the original--it's just that good) features Howard Jones' take on "Irreversal," a song from the band's self-titled debut. He does a pretty good job, but his vocals occasionally get lost in the mix. It also contains the new song "My Life For Yours," a decent song that suffers from the same vocal problems as the one before it, as well as live versions of "Life to Lifeless," "Fixation on the Darkness," and "My Last Serenade" (Jones does a fantastic job on all of them). The only problem I have with the CD is the "Resident Evil Mix" of the title track. Not only is it a radio-friendly, edited version, but it's totally unnecessary. Besides that, though, this is one of the best metal CDs I've heard in a long time (along with Shadows Fall's "The War Within," God Forbid's "Gone Forever," and Trivium's "Ascendancy"). If you're reading this review and you don't have this album, then stop wasting your time; get out there and get it.

There was an unhealthy amount of pressure on Killswitch Engage when talks of their follow up to the wildly successful (and extremely innovative) "Alive Or Just Breathing" first surfaced. Add in the factor that the band's former vocalist Jesse Leech left in Mid 2003 due to voice and personal problems, and you can easily see how difficult it must have been to put out this record. However with "The End Of Heartache", KSE has answered any skeptics who thought the band was over with after Jesse's departure. "The End Of Heartache" is a gut wrenching blast of metallic hardcore, laced with passionate vocals, rigid guitars, and pounding rhythms, and is more than a worthy successor to the last record. The enhanced special edition is a great buy if you never picked up the record initially as it is coupled with a bonus cd containing unreleased tracks, and it's a great addition to this already astonishing album.

"The End Of Heartache" was a record that was probably my most anticipated release of 2004, and even I had to admit that I did not know what to expect before I heard the cd. However from the moment I listened to "Rose Of Sharyn" my faith was restored in the band. I loved Jesse Leech just as much as everyone else (and I still believe that Killswitch Engage would be better if he were still the vocalist), but I can't discredit Howard Jones' vocals on this cd a bit. From the opening seconds of "A Bid Farewell", Howard makes the band his own, and proves that he has just as much range as Jesse, if not a little more. Jones can take his vocals to the lowest depths for those crushing growls, or into the highest shrieks you can imagine. Not only that, but Howard can instantly transition into wonderful melodies, which he never really used in his previous band Blood Has Been Shed. I was amazed at how good a singer Howard actually is. Evidence of this can be seen on such tracks as "When Darkness Falls" and the first single "Rose of Sharyn" where he flows in and out of screams and melodies constantly. Musically this album is a lot less hardcore than the previous, and a lot more metallic, which ultimately doesn't hurt. There's still plenty of hardcore emotion and breakdowns, although this time they have been coupled with more metallic riffs and thrash influences. Tracks like "Declaration" and "Breathe Life" showcase the band's excellent blend of metal and hardcore, as well as flawless guitar work. Adam and Joel definitely churn out some amazing moments through out the album, as their relationship reaches new heights on "Wasted Sacrifice" and "Hope Is..." Justin Folley is a new addition to the band on drums, although he is a seasoned vet in the hardcore scene, coming from Howard's previous band Blood Has Been Shed as well. His performance adds a lot to the band's sound, although I don't think he was as good as their last drummer Tom. No matter because he does a great job backing the band, along with Mike D on bass. Lyrically the band is better is some places, and worse in others. The common sub-theme of love and heartache that runs through the record is kind of lame considering how many emo and screamo bands are doing that to death right now. However it's not to say that songs like "Wasted Sacrifice", "Hope Is" and "Take This Oath" aren't great lyrical pieces. Ultimately if you liked the last record, I can't see why you wouldn't love this one as well. The most dynamic song on the album has got to be the title track and centerpiece of the album, "The End Of Heartache", which is so different from anything the band has previously done. The lyrics may be less than stellar, but the musicianship and atmosphere of the song is amazing, and definitely raises the bar the band had previously set for themselves. It's true KSE turned up the metal a bit, but their sound is still fully intact, and to be honest they sound better than ever. Definitely a must hear for all fans of metal and hardcore.

The Bonus disc included is a nice touch if you don't already have the cd, but if you own the original, it doesn't really warrant you to purchase the reissue. The cd contains two b-sides from the the recording sessions of "The End Of Heartache", "My Life For Yours", and a re-recorded version of "Irreversal", which originally appeared on KSE's self titled album, released on Ferret Music. Both are great songs, "Irreversal" in particular is a great rendition (although Jesse's vocals are still used in some places on the song, which sounds kind of odd), but you'd be better off just downloading them if you already own the cd. There's the Resident Evil : Apocalypse (great movie by the way) mix of "The End Of Heartache", but the mix totally butchers the song. The other three songs are live versions of "Life To Lifeless", "Fixation on The Darkness" and "My Last Serenade", all with Howard on vocals. The live songs are cool, but you really have to see KSE in person to experience the intensity of their live show. Overall the disc is a nice touch, and the re-release itself is more aimed at people who are just getting into the band, or never purchased the original. I can't seeing anyone who already had this shelling out another $15.00 when you can just get the extras off the internet.

In the end though, this is an album that could have been one of the biggest disappointments the band has put forth yet. Instead Killswitch Engage returned, heavy as ever, and answered all critics who has any skepticism over whether or not they could continue on without Jesse. It's true that this album is different from "Alive Or Just Breathing", but to tell you the truth, I like it just as much. Much like the last cd, I can constantly run through plays of this cd, and never get bored. The sound is tight, the vocals are good, and the production is top notch (once again thanks to Adam). I don't understand why a lot of people have dismissed this album or given it harsh criticism. It's easily one of the best records 2004 had to offer, and still stands strong almost a year and a half after its release. If you don't own the original, then pick this up because it's a great deal. Otherwise you will probably feel a lot of "heartache" for not doing so.

I got Alive or Just Breathing a little over a year ago, on a bit of a whim. I was very impressed, and it looked like Killswitch Engage had a very bright future. But then, I found out that vocalist Jesse Leach had left the band, particularly tragic since he was the standout figure in the band, and what I had heard of the replacement vocalist was less then impressive.(In his older band) Eventually I heard about their making a new album. The title was not encouraging, as it was accompanied by accusations that they had 'wussed-out' and a number of negative reviews. So I didn't run out to pick it up immediately. Shortly thereafter, however, I read a very positive review from a highly respectable member of the Amazon.com community, which piqued my interest. So I decided to pick up, but I was still a bit leery. I'm pleased to say that my concerns were unfounded, and KsE have released an album superior to their previous.(which is still very good, by the way, though I'm not quite as enthused about it as I was when I wrote my review for it)

As I said before, my gravest concern was the departure of Jesse Leach. Fortunately, Howard Jones proves to be a more than capable replacement. He's equally versatile and has a fine voice for both singing and growling/roaring/etc. Overall, I don't think he's quite as good as Jesse, but the difference is negligible. Easily offsetting the very slight decrease in vocal ability is the notable improvement in pretty much every other area. The rhythm guitar work is much stronger on this album. On Alive of Just Breathing, there were only a handful of truly remarkable riffs, which was largely offset by strong vocals and nicely contrasting sections. Thus, the individual parts may not have been that extraordinary, but they all fit together very nicely. Now, however, the rhythm guitar work is consistently memorable, generally featuring tighter, thrashier riffs and more memorable melodic and harmonized sections. The songs retain the memorability they had before, and gain a fair amount of depth. Though I haven't done a direct comparison, this album seems slightly less heavy than the previous, but it gained a lot of melody in exchange for it. Overall, it seems to have been a good trade.

Nothing on here can quite match Just Barely Breathing or Numbered Days, but overall it is a more consistent and cohesive listen. Song structures are less predictable and more riff-oriented, which is always a good change.(Some of the weaker tracks on Alive or Just Breathing had remarkably similar structures, which made them blend together a bit) A Bid Farewell is a rock-solid opener, showcasing powerful riffing, a nice melodic tremolo-picked pre-chorus and an epic, show-stopping chorus. Classic KsE. Rose of Sharyn is extremely melodic and memorable, without being overly simplistic or poppy. More great melodic thrash-type riffs. Breathe Life is the apparent sequel to last albums Just Barely Breathing, and is another standout. The chorus is bit jarring the first time you here it, but it grows on you quickly, and the cocals during the verses are quite powerful. Declaration is perhaps my favorite track. The rhythm guitar work is stunning, and middle section is truly stirring, with the incessant build up and devastating vocals. Sadly, the quality dips a bit for the last two tracks. They are both good, except for their choruses, which don't quite work. Still pretty good, but not up the standards of the previous tracks.

On a closing not, KsE have maintained the strange, positive-minded lyrics of their earlier work. While I generally don't decry the more stereotypical lyrics of metal in general, it's nice to here something like this for a change.(Though I will admit that it sometimes is a bit strange to here such lyrics delivered in a such a manner) Fortunately, they still have a fair amount of anger in them, so they don't come across as too wimpy. And you have to respect a band who is willing to write lyrics that may get them written off by some of the more lamer members of the community.(Fortunately, that doesn't seem to be happening very much.)

Overall, I doubt that this album will disappoint many who liked their previous. No wild stylistic changes perhaps, but a nice honing of their already fine style. Definitely one of the best albums of the year so far.

Killswitch Engage has rapidly become my favorite band. This album is better than the previous two only because of Howard Jones' vocals. Jesse Leach was pretty good but he wasn't as melodic as Howard is. Heres a quick rundown of the songs:

A bid farewell-- Great song to start the cd out with 8/10

Take this oath- My personal favorite song on the cd. Nice powerful guitar riffs with melodic vocals. 10/10

When darkness falls-- Another great song 9/10

Rose of Sharyn-- First KsE song I heard off of the cd. Another one of my favorites. Nice and fast paced. 10/10

Inhale-- Just an instrumental. But still good to listen to. 7/10

Breathe Life-- Good song but not one the better ones 8/10

The end of heartache-- Song never gets old. One of the less heavy songs but still awesome 9/10

Declaration-- Least favorite song on the cd but it is still decent.8/10

World Ablaze-- The vocals in this song blow me away. 10/10

And the Embers rise-- instrumental 6/10

Wasted Sacrifice-- Good song. 9/10

Hope is-- Great song to end the album with. 10/10

I can't believe I actually have to write a review defending this album considering how incredible it is. First off, let's get one thing straight - this is metal. That point can't even remotely be debated. I listen to everything from nu-metal to death metal, and this is definitely metal. Second, listening to obscure, fanatical death metal and/or grindcore doesn't make you a metal expert or cooler than people who listen to more mainstream metal. Typically, it makes it so you can count your friends on one hand, as you write out your suicide note. I love the idea of metal elitists mocking this album, what makes them elite? Basically, when something becomes popular, usually it is because it is better than the stuff that isn't popular. But I digress, back to the album review:

This is just a killer album, blending elements of 80s thrash with late 90s hardcore, and then throwing in sweeping epic choruses for good measure. The production is flawless, yet it still maintains a raw sound, probably due to Howard Jones vocals. Speaking of which, they are nothing short of incredible. It's hard to believe this is the same guy from BHBS, where he basically sounds like he is vomiting on the microphone for 35 minutes. At any rate, he learned how to sing AND scream better, combining the elements to create one of the most insanely schizophrenic vocal performances ever recorded. It fits perfectly with the music. The guitar riffs aren't overly intricate, but they hit hard..... think about it, if this album was released mid-80s, they would've called it thrash. I don't see why metalcore gets a bad rap, it is clearly the pre-eminent and best style of metal at the moment, why do you think so many bands try to copy this sound?

And enough with the mainstream comments.... I played this for some of my friends, most of whom aren't into metal even though they enjoy other mainstream metal such as Metallica and Pantera, they all hated it so much, complaining that the lead singer must be psychotic, how could I listen to such horrible music? LOL that's all it takes for me to know that this isn't mainstream. But for those of you with no lives who want to criticize popular metal, continue to knock away, even you have to privately admit to yourselves that Killswitch rules. In short, if you've ever liked metal of any type, you will enjoy this brutal yet melodic masterpiece.

This is End of Heartache with bonus song My Life for yours, from Japan.