KILLSWITCH ENGAGE NEW RECORD REVIEW

The latest single “Starting Over” from Massachusetts metal quintet Killswitch Engage asks, “Can we start again, go back in time to where we started?” And that is exactly what the band has done, they have gone back to their roots and reinvented and fully harnessed their signature sound.  No Killswitch Engage record has ever and I mean EVER sounded like this.  Beautifully harmonized guitar riffs, amazing drum work, great bass breaks, and the mass improvement is definitely the punishing growls and soulful singing by front man Howard Jones.  Enjoy our breakdown of each track and a review on one of the most anticipated metal records of 2009.

The record opens with “Never Again” a pummeling time changing track.  “I hope you suffer!”  And anyone at a Killswitch show during this song will Suffer in the pit.  The band’s lead single “Starting Over” is a true display of how something so dark and brutal can shed light in the darkness and give the feeling of hope.  If you have a chance to check out the video it is available on MTV.com for streaming.  “The Forgotten” seems like a tribute to the metal gods.  An opening riff reminiscent of Metallica’s “And Justice For All” with a lead thats very Iron Maiden-esque.  Very cool track.  “Reckoning” was the very first taste of the new record fans recieved via free download from Roadrunner Records (Hi Amy!).  It is a pulse pounding never let down full out metal war!  I would like to meet the muse behind “The Return” it is just such a gorgeous and beautiful anthem.  “A Light in a Darkened World” is a social commentary on the corruption and the evil in society.  Adam D. and Joel Stroetzel give a guitar clinic on “Take Me Away.”  They take you on a journey from metal to melodic back to metal.  Once again that same muse is prevalent in “I Would Do Anything.”  There is so much anger, frailty, fear, and love in the vocals provided by Howard Jones.  “Save Me” opens with a very southern hard rock riff and a very driving drum beat.  “Even when I fall, Will you still believe?” I believe Killswitch Engage is going to have a huge year.  “Lost” is truly and eye opener you get hear a totally different Killswitch Engage, the opening line truly foreshadows the overall tone of the song. “It’s even louder, in the silence.”   The final track on the second self-titled record is “This is Goodbye.”  This is my personal favorite track.  It encompasses everything the band is about. “It’s over, please lay me to rest. Forgive me,  let me go”

Killswitch Engage has crafted one the most important and diverse metal records to come along in a very long time.  If you’ve been a long time fan you can truly appreciate the evolution and growth in the music and songwriting.  For new fans, this is the perfect record for you to get acquainted with the world of Killswitch Engage.

MAG-X RATING: XXXXX  •  5/5