Killswitch Engage is a metalcore band with melodic death metal influences, from Westfield, Massachusetts, USA. The band started in 1999 when bassist Mike D’ Antonio met guitarists Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel. Not long after that Jesse Leach joined the band as vocalist . Leach left the band in 2002 because of personal problems leaving Killswitch Engage on the cusp of greatness without a singer. Thankfully for the band, Blood Has Been Shed frontman Howard Jones filled the void. With Jones slipping seamlessly into the ranks and being accepted as vocalist by the band’s ever-growing fanbase,
Killswitch Engage’s sound mixes crushing riffs, double bass drum patterns, and furious screaming-growling vocals with melodic elements. . A key feature of the band’s sound is the use of complex single-note and power chord riffs featuring dual-guitar harmonies, often punctuated with pinch harmonic squeals.
This is Killswitch Engage’s most anticipated release since 2004’s The End of Heartache. Much like how fans questioned whether replacement vocalist Howard Jones could fill the void left by Jesse Leach, they’re now forced to wonder if Leach’s return can reinvigorate the band. Fortunately, the answer is yes; Disarm the Descent is at least twice as good as 2009’s uninspired Killswitch Engage. Although it’s not quite the masterful return to Alive or Just Breathing that Leach’s reappearance had fans hoping for, it’s still damn good. The album features many Killswitch Engage-worthy singles, such as “In Due Time,” “A Tribute to the Fallen,” “The Turning Point,” “Beyond the Flames” and “The Call,” which features a blast beat-propelled chorus. A couple duds — the ballad-is “Always” and power-metal-inspired “Time Will Not Remain” — take away from what could’ve been the second best album of their career. While anything other than Leach’s return would have meant disaster for the band, as he and Disarm the Descent prove, “Hope is not lost.” The guitar work here is great. The riffs are more refined and the solos or less flashy than in previous albums. The bass lines are more predominant on this record as well, check out the song “You Don’t Bleed For Me” which showcases some fluid bass lines. In all honesty as far as the instrument go, I have no complaints. They’re all really solid and competent musicians.
Rating: 7/10
Written by “Stingray”
Tracklist:
01 The hell in me
02 Beyond the Flames
03 New Awakening
04 In due time
05 A tribute to the fallen.
06 The turning point
07 All that 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:
Adam Dutkiewicz – gitarist
Joël Stroetzel – gitarist
Mike D’Antonio – bassist
Justin Foley – drummer
Jesse Leach – Vocals
Albums:
“Killswitch Engage” 2000
“Alive or Just Breathing” 2002
“The End of Heartache” 2004
“As Daylight Dies” 2006
“Killswitch Engage (2)” 2009
“Disarm the Descent” 2013
DVD:
“(Set This) World Ablaze” 2005
Record Label: Roadrunner records, March 2013
Weblinks: Website / Facebook / Twitter
Buy the album here:
Holland: First Paradox
Norway: Nordic Mission
USA: Metal Helm
Video for “In Due Time”: