Artist: Killswitch Engage
Title: Disarm the Descent
Genre: Metalcore
Release Date: 29th March 2013
Label: Roadrunner Records
Album Review
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE was founded in 1999 in Massachusetts, until now, they have released six studio records. In 2012, former singer Howard Jones left the band for health-reasons and has been replaced by Jesse Leach, who was in the band during ‘Alive Or Just Breathing’ (2002). ‘Disarm the Descent’ is now the first album with this changed line-up. In fact, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE still stick to their own style of combining harsh riffs with catchy and unique melodies. Already the opener ‘The Hell In Me’ draws a visible connection to the early works of the band, since the vocals are very raw and yet contrasted with melodic parts. Somehow, the change of singer also results in a refined and more brutal sound and ‘Disarm the Descent’ stands in the tradition of ‘Alive Or Just Breathing’.
Yet, a certain return to a more abrasive and fierce sound surely fits the music. The production is very clearly defined and not too polished. ‘Beyond The Flames’ convinces with the parallel use of harsh and clean vocals and also includes calmer parts. ‘The New Awakening’ as well as ‘Turning Point’ may be interpreted as programmatic for a new chapter in the band’s history and both songs combine Hardcore and metal elements into a typical KILLSWITCH ENGAGE mixture. ‘In Due Time’ is a very grooving sound with an impellent rhythm and an interesting guitar solo in the last half of the song. ‘All We Have’ begins in a very brutal and forceful manner, like ‘A Tribute To The Fallen’, but both songs include remarkable melodies and guitar work.
‘You Don’t Bleed For Me’ includes some slower parts and appears to be a very emotional song. In contrast, ‘The Call’ provides a more straight-forward track with very fast drumming, mostly screamed vocals but nevertheless a catchy chorus. ‘No End In Sight’ offers another fast song, before ‘Always’ closes in – the calmest and probably most beautiful song on the album. It’s also interesting to see how harsh vocals and a somewhat love song can go together. ‘Time Will Not Remain’ concludes the album and pulls up speed a bit and uses almost epic turning points. “Disarm The Descent” is a good album, that links the past and the present of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and offers a must-buy for every fan of modern metal.
Tracklist
01. The Hell In Me
02. Beyond The Flames
03. The New Awakening
04. In Due Time
05. A Tribute To The Fallen
06. Turning Point
07. All We Have
08. You Don’t Bleed For Me
09. The Call
10. No End In Sight
11. Always
12. Time Will Not Remain
Line-up
Jesse Leach – Vocals
Adam Dutkiewicz – Guitar
Joel Stroetzel – Guitar
Mike D’Antonio – Bass
Justin Foley – Drums
Website
http://www.killswitchengage.com / http://www.facebook.com/killswitchengage
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10
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