Since originally forming decades ago, the name of Killswitch Engage has become synonymous with the metal-core genre as a whole. It is impossible to have a discussion of what makes the best albums and artists in the subgenre, without the veteran band being mentioned at least once. Throughout their careers, the band have strived on to create some of the most iconic melodies and songs that could have only come from this band, amongst the thousands that make up metalcore. Now on their ninth studio album, This Consequence (Metal Blade Records), the band are taking it again up another level, according to their frontman Jesse Leach. Can the band fulfill these lofty highs now so far into their career?

It isn’t unlike the band to go full-steaming, head-first on the first track, however, the band truly turn it up another notch with “Abandon Us.” Leach’s bellowing scream alongside crushing drums taking up the main section of the opening to the song. It isn’t long before Adam Dutkiewicz’ iconic guitar tone joins the array, acting as a conductor for the rest of the band. For a starting track, it has all anyone could want in a Killswitch Engage song’ it’s got that groove, that melody, that unmistakable hook of a Killswitch chorus, and the crushing underlying heaviness encompassing it all. The band isn’t reinventing the wheel with this debut song of the album, but equally, at the same time, no one would need, nor want them to do that.

Regardless of the opening song not bringing in a whole new sound, the rest of the album shows the band bringing in whole new avenues of inspirations below the hood of their music. This is primarily shown in the penultimate track of the release, “Broken Glass.” Introducing audiences to the song with this slow crunchy riff, only to be opened up with these synchronised clean vocals sections, the whole atmosphere brings out a more refined Gojira influence, mixed in with the classic Killswitch aesthetic. The guitar work is excellent on the track as it mixes both the iconic stylings of Dutkiewicz with this slower, more crunchy sound.

By bringing new influences into their music Killswitch Engage have also turned to their back catalogue in search of sounds previously left behind. This is shown largely in the song “I Believe” bringing forth sounds from As Daylight Dies, the style of Leach & Dutkiewicz’ clean vocals, as well as the lead guitar sections are reminiscent of such tracks as “The Arms of Sorrow,” utilised in a way that brings them to present day. Leach’s vocals especially in the main chorus sound the most powerful he has sounded in years.

Over 25 years into their career, Killswitch Engage has done the best thing they could’ve done in This Consequence, by bringing in not only influences outside of their own band from other hard-hitters like Gojira, but also by going back to their earlier releases to see what ticked for the band. The band have been able to recontextualise their own sound fundamentally. Closing the album on the final words of the song “Requiem;”  “This is not the end, this is not our requiem.” The band use this final song on the album as a message to all of their loyal fans to say that they’re not finished yet, and there will be much more to come from the band, and with music like This Consequence, we’re all hoping there will be much more music to come from the group over the next decades.

Buy the album here:
https://www.killswitchengage.com/

8 / 10
CHARLIE HILL
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