Customer Reviews

Killswitch Engage (CD/DVD)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's been three years since As Daylight Dies was released (the longest time spent between Killswitch Engage albums), and while it wasn't as polished as The End Of Heartache or Alive Or Just Breathing, it's been played as relentlessly as their other cd's. I know a lot of people are looking at the name of the album and going, "but we already have one self-titled KSE." The first one was more of an EP as it has songs which were later re-recorded, and I'm glad they were because while it may not have been a bad one, it didn't sound great. The band hired rock producer Brendan O'Brien (Mastodon, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against The Machine, etc.) to produce the album with Adam Dutkiewicz taking the co-producer's chair for a change. I read that it was uncomfortable working in a studio in Atlanta instead of Massachusetts. The results pretty much speak for themselves. All I can tell you is if you haven't heard it yet, in most places it's pretty heavy, there's definitely a lot of melody, but the lyrics are also a little darker this time. It still sounds like Killswitch Engage. Anybody that disliked As Daylight Dies probably will be disappointed. If you can't decide which version to get, shell out a few extra dollars for the special edition. The four bonus tracks make it worth buying. The bonus dvd is kinda funny to watch, it's basically 30 minutes of behind the scenes and interviews. Some "making of" studio footage would have been cool though, maybe even some live footage. Check it out.

Nearly ten years after releasing their first self-titled effort, metalcore's most iconic and definitive band, Killswitch Engage, have arrived with another self-titled album. Not only is it their third effort with vocalist Howard Jones in tow but it is also their first to utilize the abilities of an outside producer, Brendan O'Brien, who has worked with everyone from AC/DC to The Offspring. Following up 2006's "As Daylight Dies," the new album has the dual task of living up to the already established, tried and true sound as well as bringing something new to the table for the fifth set of music in the band's career.

The opening track of the album, "Never Again," answers the question of whether or not a big name producer and heightening success has softened Killswitch Engage's technique with a resounding "No." Vocalist Howard Jones still howls, croons and shrieks in the same fashion that made the band's breakthrough album -- 2004's "The End of Heartache"-- such a success, and the band still pummels on, with co-guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz shredding and chugging along with the crushing rhythm section of bassist Mike D'Antonio and drummer Justin Foley. Five albums in, nothing much has changed, as the marriage between melody and brutality has remained as strong as ever for this Massachusetts five-piece. In essence, this is the same Killswitch Engage we have come to know and love, with perhaps a few tinkerings that only serve to keep their reliable sound fresh and viable.

The question over Brendan O'Brien's influence still lingers in songs like "A Light in a Darkened World", "Starting Over" (this album's "Rose of Sharyn") and "I Would Do Anything," with slight pop flourishes peppered throughout. Thankfully, little tweaks here and there don't change the band's sound enough to make for sacrilege, and the album comes across less as an attempt to be Killswitch's version of Metallica's "The Black Album" and more like the band trying to retain their identity while expanding upon its already tried and true sound. "Reckoning" and "This Is Goodbye" (the album's crushing closing number) serve as comfort-food for the faithful fan, while experimentation comes to fruition in one of the album's strongest tracks, "The Return." A slow-building, moody and textured piece, it serves as one of the few spots where the band breaks with their routine to deliver something truly outstanding. It works and it works well, but is unfortunately the only spot in the album where the band gets truly creative and steps outside of their comfort zone. More songs like this -- or at least with its spirit -- and the band's fifth album would have been the better for it.

Although the album doesn't break much from tradition, it's still a mostly fresh experience. The band is in top form, delivering a set of songs that will no doubt sound even better when performed live. Jones, in particular, ups the ante, giving his finest vocal performance to date, giving credibility to some of the more restrained moments of the album while holding true to the Killswitch Engage name in the album's heavier fare. "Killswitch Engage" (or perhaps "Killswitch Engage II") is no doubt a crowd pleaser, an album that if you're already initiated, will nestle itself comfortably in your ear-drums. New fans could look elsewhere for a better introduction, but as far as a band on its fifth album in its ten year long career, Killswitch Engage show no sign of slowing down and it can only get better from here.

The Special Edition/Digipak features four additional tracks as well as a bonus DVD. Three of the four tracks are live -- "Rose of Sharyn," "My Curse" and the band's brilliant cover of Dio's "Holy Diver" -- and capture the band at their best -- in a live setting. "In a Dead World," meanwhile, fits nicely along with the other eleven tracks that make up the album. The DVD is about a half an hour long, and covers the band's stint on The Warped Tour as well as the making of the album and the album's artwork. It also features some humorous interviews, and coupled with the live tracks, makes this package worth seeking out.

this album, as said by others, is lacking some of the raw energy of previous relases. however this is balanced out by having a more refined smooth sound- more soaring, more matured lyrical content to a degree- a fuller, if not quite as steeply pitched enegry. in truth there is one thing that i'm annoyed about on this album; some of the songs have very abrupt endings where a fade or a pause at the end would seem to fit better.

I'm not a fan of lengthy reviews so I'm just going to throw in some pros and cons about this album.

Pros:
Howard Jones displays some of his best vocals on this album
While I love the older KSE style, the new direction is nice for a change
It has four bonus songs (3 out of 4 being live) and a pretty enjoyable DVD

Cons:
Like some have said, there is a lack of that energy we all grew to love
I do agree the musicians have the potential to do more.

Overall, I think this CD is worth the money. It is another great release from KSE.

First of all: Does anyone notice the bat created by the negative space between the leopard mouths in this limited edition cover? It could just be coincidence, but the depiction is pretty stunning. It's my guess that it was purposeful.

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Killswitch Engage delivers a power-packed, melodic-touching, heart-wrenching conquest with this self-titled release. They have done it before, but never quite like this. The change and new direction are good, and here is why:

The End of Heartache and As Daylight Dies were decent albums, but they were not complete (I think As Daylight Dies was even a step back from The End of Heartache). There were a couple standout songs on each (Take This Oath, Rose of Sharyn, and The End of Heartache on The End of Heartache and Arms of Sorrow and My Curse on As Daylight Dies), but as a whole, the albums were a bit holey; they were missing a full bone of meat. This self-titled release is the first time that Howard Jones has made a sustainable album from start to finish with KSE. I can finally enjoy an ablum the whole way through like I did with Alive or Just Breathing.

Now, maybe those few wonder songs on the past two albums were better than the top songs on this new album, but, the album (in its entirety) in comparison to the past ablums (in their entireties) this time around is better. Thus, the five stars.

Those of you that are loyal fans of the band already--you may at first be shocked by this one, but you should give it a chance; it is a change for the better. Those of you who are looking for something new--look no further, and worry not about the quality and supremacy of this album. This band will win you over one way or another--either with their moving lyrics or adrenaline pumping riffs. KSE is one of the most unique metal bands with their blend of hard-hitting and melodic-subduing.

Some ultimate winners in my book include the songs Starting Over, A Light In A Darkened World, Lost, This Is Goodbye, and Save Me.

Sharkchild
Author of From the Passages of Revenants (The Dark Verse, Volume I) (Imitation Leather)

I have heard the album when it was on Myspace .
I think that the album is good but ,still it doesn't seems identical to KSE previous albums (spacialy AOJB and TEOH) .
This album melodic (maybe too much melodic).
Anyway ,good album but i hope the next one will be like TEOH.
By the way,"Take me away" great but too short .

nice to see a value for money cd/dvd package on the market from a band who are thoroughly deserving of anybodys valuable time. great cd, great dvd, what more can i say? excellent!

Killswitch once again delivers another amazing album. I wish the bonus DVD would have been a little longer, and had more content, but thats just the fanboy in me wanting more. Hopefully it wont be another 3 years before we get another new one.

Many people want to come and complain about how the CD is no longer heavy; I find it funny people found KSE to be a heavy band to begin with if you pussys want heavy go listen to job for a cowboy,Heaven Shall burn, Lamb of God,Stick to your guns,God Forbid,or As Blood Runs Black which are all great heavy bands with amazing guitar and drums but heres the thing KSE is built around Howard Jones and the CD shows this its less about a guitar solo melting your face off and more about listening to some deep lyrics this is what separates KSE from the pack and makes them one of the more unique metal bands, because it can attract people from all genres and isn't that what truly defines a great band? KSE brings people from all over the music world under one band that everyone can enjoy.Peace out and metal well never die

The eponymously titled "Killswitch Engage" is unlike any other Killswitch Engage album. It's melodic, emotional, and resembles a latter-day Papa Roach album. "Killswitch Engage" is certain to alienate some fans.

Personally, I liked the old Killswitch Engage...but love their new direction. They've been steadily stepping up their game since new singer Howard Jones joined two albums ago, and the new album is the culmination of their growth.

The band brought in veteran producer Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots). O'Brien steered the band away from the mechanical assault heard on past Killswitch albums, and produced a richly-layered album that transcends the band's grindcore/metal roots.

"We are mindful of not writing material that sounds like all our other stuff," their guitarist said in an interview with REVOLVER magazine. "[But] we're not trying to sound like James Blunt or anything," singer Howard Jones added. The result, while not as "heavy" as their old material, would still make James Blunt run crying.

**The single studio bonus track, "In a Dead World," might actually be the best thing on their new record. So lay down the money, and get the deluxe edition!**