Released today!!! Killswitch Engage - This Consequence REVIEW!

 

Killswitch Engage - This Consequence

A FIRST LISTEN TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW

1. Abandon Us - What a great start to this album which finds the band feeling like it has something to prove still after all these years. A stompyard, in your face track that hits on all the band's strengths. Soaring choruses with meaningful lyrics coupled with forceful, gut punching vocals. Adam D's runs and the percussion really stand out as well.

2. Discordant Nation - The pacing of this track snaps you into a variety of musical spaces. It branches off into death and hardcore vocals seamlessly. This is an invigorated band pushing itself to a whole other level!

3. Aftermath - Love the playing on this. Leach once again proves has some of the craziest range in Metal. This is definitely the track I'm going to have to relisten to a bunch.

4. Forever Aligned - A banger of a tune. Signature KSE, chug heavy, Adam D and Jesse trading off on vocals throughout the chorus. I've heard this track several times and it gets better on every listen. Beautiful production throughout this track. I really enjoyed the contrast between the clean chorus and throat crushing vocals throughout.

5. I Believe - When KSE released this early, I immediately gravitated to it. It's a track that's easily accessible and listenable. It also feels extremely relevant. We all could use a hopeful and uplifting song right about now.

Justin Foley: Drums, Adam Dutkiewicz: Guitar, Jesse Leach: Vocals, Mike D'Antonio: Bass, Joel Stroetzel: Guitar

6. Where It Dies - Damn straight out of the gate, this goes hard. Great riffs all around. Leach's vocals haven't been this extreme in years. The vibes of this track harken back to early KSE. Another beautiful chorus that contrasts between the chug and throat shred. Adam D. pulls out all stops on the shred. This feels like a great song to sing along to in concert!

7. Collusion - Here me out, this track feels like a militaristic pummeling on the battlefield. Leach delivering vocals like marching orders. Top notch musicianship by all players. Love the drop into a "Slayer-ific" death metal breakdown toward the midpoint. This highlights the importance of the relationship between Adam D and Leach's trade off on vocals.

8. The Fall of Us - Another heavy as fuck track. This gave me goosebumps. It fills all the senses. The pace keeps you on the edge of your seat. Woah, Just Woah.

9. Broken Glass - The intro is like no other KSE track ever put to tape. This album may just be sonically their heaviest, low end release of all time. I had to check myself before I wrecked myself listening to this. Mind blown! 

10. Requiem - KSE does not let up on this closer. This album really makes a statement. "This is not the end, This is not a Requiem".. This album delivers!

CONGRATULATIONS to the Whole Band! KSE are firing on all cylinders and some. Mike D., Joel, Justin, Adam and Jesse are as complete a unit as any in Metal today. This album is a tour de force and belongs in the same conversation as their most revered albums for sure. No Filler, ALL KILLER! The album breaks new ground, cements the band as one that can step on the gas and get as heavy as it's ever been. For anyone that doubted the band and expected them to paint by numbers on this one will be proved sorely mistaken. This is an album that makes new fans and more than satiates the appetites of old heads like me.

The album is now available everywhere!!

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE | This Consequence

Killswitch Engage - I Believe

 

Killswitch Engage
I Believe

I think this track comes at the right time. A positive and uplifting new single off the upcoming Killswitch Engage album "This Consequence", due on February 21, 2025 via Metal Blade.

"'I Believe' is about undying hope," shares Leach. "During difficult times perspective is everything. Knowing deep down that 'this too shall pass' has been a beacon of light for me. I do believe there is meaning behind suffering. If we are able to push through difficult times and come out the other side, there is a renewed sense of purpose."

Something Old, Something New

In "Something Old, Something New" I'll be giving you an old, underrated gem and a great new record from the last 2 or 3 years. So without further ado, let's get this ball rolling.

Today I'll be focusing on Death Metal. The old school Death Metal sound has made a resurgence over the last 3 or 4 years. It's a bit of a trend with younger band to sound like the classics of yore. Hey, no complaints here. I like nothing better than a band with old school aesthetics. Let's start with a sample of an album I consider to be an under looked genre classic.

How romantic.

Necromantic Love Songs by Antropomorphia was an EP that came out to little fanfare in 1993. I didn't come across them until 2012 after it was re-released on vinyl in 2011 by the venerable re-issue outfit, The Crypt. The Crypt specializes in finding long lost, underrated albums or demo's and giving them proper re-issues on the vinyl format and boy am I glad they're are around. This one happened to come with their Bowel Mutilation demo which is also great.

One major difference you'll hear is BASS. For whatever reason, Death Metal bands these days tend to mix their bass to be almost inaudible. It's a pet peeve of mine, especially when I hear something like this where the bass absolutely makes the song. Love the melodic intro also.

 BASS.

Because of the response to the old material Antropomorphia went on to reunite under the Metal Blade banner and drop a damn good album last year which you can sample here.

And now for something new. Morbus Chron is a young band who absolutely gets it. Their first full length, Sleepers In The Rift dropped in 2011 and sounded like old school Autopsy. That isn't the album I'm here to talk about though, so I'll let you decide that for yourself. And FUCK, check that album art out!

With the success of Sleepers In The Rift they were picked up in 2012 by Century Media and dropped an incredible EP called A Saunter Through The Shroud that not only showcased a progression in instrumental chops but also song writing. What started as Autopsy worship turned into a mixture of Autopsy, Death's more progressive leanings and Obituary's John Tardy style vocals. Here's the full EP to hear for yourself.

One unknown old band who is back almost 20 years later based off old metalheads like us digging up their old material and a young band who is poised to make a mark in the genre for years to come. 

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