Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Yet, January 11, 2007
Killswitch has come along way since their first album. This album is bar far the greatest achievement to date. First of all, this album's lyrical content is a much more earnest and thought provoking then the other three albums. Songs like "Reject Yourself", "Break The Silence", and "The Arms Of Sorrow", portray a reflective and contemplative view on war; as well as the horrible atrocities that have been eminent in the world.
As Daylight Dies also holds some of the hardest hitting, riff driven rock anthems to date. Songs like "For You", "Still Beats Your Name", "As Daylight Dies", and "This Fire Burns" drive this point home, with heavy laden drums, resonant bass, and earsplitting guitar riffs. "For You" might be one of the most well-rounded songs on the album, every part of the song shows the unique talents of the band.
Finally, when most people decide whether or not they like a band in this genre they usually discuss whether or not the screaming or groan is necessary or annoying. However, on As Daylight Dies and The End Of Heartache Howard Jones vocals are non-the-less incendiary; his tone is a welcome change from the shreiks of bands like As I Lay Dying and Atreyu. His groans and screams tie together so well with the instrumentals that it never becomes dull or too abrasive. But what stands out the most is his versatility, one verse he will be in your face and in total control of his screaming, while in most chorus' he comes out with this epic singing that is totally unexpected.
Here's how the album breaks down (Best out of 10):
1. Daylight Dies - 8.5 - Great intro, but feels like an intro or even an outro more than a complete song.
2. This Is Absolution - 9 - This song should have opened the album, great chorus, and great use of acoustic guitars.
3. The Arms of Sorrow - 9.5 - Probably the albums saddest song, but very well written and the production is top-notch as well as with the rest of the album. The chorus is quite tear-jerking, but transitions perfectly into the bridge.
4. Unbroken - 8.5 - One of the albums hardest hitting tracks, at points it may seem like the most lack-luster and repetitive song on the album, but that isn't really saying much, considering this is KSE's best album by far.
5. My Curse - 10 - Beautiful song, through all it's clean instrumentals, to it's earsplitting riffs, this song has everything you need.
6. For You - 10 - In contrast to My Curse, this may be the definitive KSE's piece, has everything this band has to offer in one tightly composed song. (((GIVE IT MORE THAN A COUPLE LISTENS)))
7. Still Beats Your Name - 9.5 - Hard hitting, riff-driven... but also one of the most beautiful chorus' and bridges KSE has to offer.
8. Eye of the Storm - 9.5 - Some what predictable, but non-the-less heartpounding and amazing riffs.
9. Break the Silence - 9.5 - One of the best tracks on the album, but it might have the greatest and most thought-provoking chorus' in the KSE catalog.
10. Desperate Times - 8 - Might be the albums dullest tracks, but is a great song to check out once and a while when the rest of the album has been listened to too much.
11. Reject Yourself - 10 - B-E-A-utiful, great way to close the album, tie-ing with "For You" this might be the best, most definitive, and purely intimate songs Killswitch has ever made.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
1 part melodic metalcore, 1 part melodic death metal, May 17, 2007
Killswitch Engage has always incorporated melodic death into their music, but on their latest release, the melodic death really dominates. here and there there are metalcore breakdowns. they still rock though. I disagree with the one who says metalcore is about ex-girlfriends. I own several metalcore CD's and not one of them mentions relationships gone bad. somebody better reread the lyrics on all their CD's. other metalcore bands to consider are Himsa, Zao, Demon Hunter, Still Remains, the Showdown, A Life Once Lost, Underoath, As I Lay Dying, Underoath, Watch Them Die, Hedfirst, Cataract, and Winter Solstice.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Sensible Review, November 29, 2006
Okay, idiots... reading all of the reviews on here made me cringe because the majority of you have no clue what you are talking about.
First of all, I was between 4 and 5 stars because the album isn't perfect, no album is, but what pushed me to 5 stars is that KsE pretty much pioneered this sound and do it the best.
I have two issues with prior reviews and those being: 1) some people obviously just recently became familiar with either KsE or this genre and don't really get it and 2) some people obviously have been familiar with KsE for quite a long time as well as the genre and are too stuck in their ways.
What did you guys expect? Blast beats and cookie monster growls? That has never been KsE. Or maybe all syrupy emotive ballads like the End of Heartache? That has never been them either. While As Daylight Dies is built with the same blueprint in mind as the last album -- I strictly disagree with any claims that it's the same album all over again. I also disagree with any claim that Howard ruined KsE. This direction for them was inevitable, mark my words, they would have been as melodic as they are today if not more melodic if Jesse were still in the band. Let's not forget that Jesse's new band, Seemless is much more melodic than the current KsE. Not to mention Jesse didn't enjoy playing metal anymore, as well as he had vocal chord problems. So enough with the "Howard killed KsE." I also completely disagree with any claim of emo with the lyrics on this album. I can understand the claim with the End of Heartache, however As Daylight Dies is nothing of the sort. Howard's lyrics are about humanity, overcoming adversity and seeing light amidst the darkness. Try reading them.
As far as singing goes, Howard has a phenomenal singing voice and should use it. To not use such a talent just because "the scenesters will get mad and cry sellout" is ridiculous. I think they found a near perfect balance on this album with the singing in screaming. The band realizes what they are and have been. They are a heavy metal band with large, anthem like choruses. I wish they would include some guitar leads into their songs, but they have never been about that so I can live with it.
Overall, As Daylight Dies is similar to the End of Heartache, but improved. I have been there since the beginning I saw them live before self-titled was even out and saw them form from the ashes of Overcast and Aftershock and still thoroughly enjoy them. I think this a better overall album than the End of Heartache. However, I will not compare it to AOJB or self-titled because it is a different band lineup and time. Love it, like it or hate it, whatever... just have an open mind and make sense of the situation.
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