| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING Abandon Us Discordant Nation Aftermath Forever Aligned I Believe Where It Dies Collusion The Fall Of Us Broken Glass Requiem Release Date: February 21, 2025 Label: Metal Blade Records Website: killswitchengage.com facebook.com/killswitchengage |  |
It still pretty much blows my mind to realize that many bands that got their start in the 2000s are now approaching or over 20 years old. Killswitch Engage is just one of the bands of the New Wave Of American Metal that has survived trends, vocalist changes, and many things that have the power to kill a lesser band. Yet, they've maintained a consistent sound, a devoted fan base that keeps growing, but most importantly, a bond with each other. There is the split between the Jesse Leech fans and the Howard Jones fans, but with their collaboration on the last album, it proved that there's no need for the division and that the bond between all camps is stronger than its ever been.
As we arrive in 2025, making it 25 years since the self-titled debut album, they return with their first album in six years with This Consequence, their longest gap between studio albums. I've said before that I'm not a die-hard Killswitch fan, but more of a casual listener. I know the big songs of course, and have seen them live on a couple of occasions, and always enjoyed Adam Dutkiewicz's on-stage humour, even if it comes across as forced at times, and enjoy the odd deep cut here and there, but Disarm The Descent will forever be my favourite Killswitch album. Atonement has great moments too, I will say. I've also heard enough of their music to understand their sound, and This Consequence is just another continuation of what the band have always been strong at. Now, that can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it. For me, just like the other albums, it has its strong moments and clunkers.
"Abandon Us" starts off the record with a nice dose of gut-punching riffs from Adam and Joel Stroetzel, and the throat-ripping screams of Jesse, along with a really nice chorus that sticks in your head. However, as we begin to head down the record, the typical Killswitch formula sails smoothly from track to track with hardly any to no left turns. It became a very predictable listen after three or four songs. It's kind of a case of where if you've heard one song by a band, you've heard them all. That's not to say that the record contains anymore strong songs, because there's also "I Believe", "Where It Dies" and "Aftermath". "The Fall Of Us" is the most intense song here with fast riffing, blast beats and a chunky breakdown, but that's honestly it for all the strong moments.
I've mentioned in my review of Atonement that it'd be interesting to see Killswitch write more of a proggy epic because with their songwriting skills, they could very well come up with something quite compelling in that style. The last time Killswitch had any songs that reach over 5 minutes was on Alive Or Just Breathing, so I think it's high time that they did something like that again, or even longer, and I'm sure I'm not the ony one thinking that. With all that being said, This Consequence didn't do much to keep my interest after only a few songs because it just feels like a repeat Killswitch album with nothing new to offer, and I like to be surprised every once in a while. I think I will just stick with Disarm The Descent and a bit from Atonement with Killswitch Engage.
As we arrive in 2025, making it 25 years since the self-titled debut album, they return with their first album in six years with This Consequence, their longest gap between studio albums. I've said before that I'm not a die-hard Killswitch fan, but more of a casual listener. I know the big songs of course, and have seen them live on a couple of occasions, and always enjoyed Adam Dutkiewicz's on-stage humour, even if it comes across as forced at times, and enjoy the odd deep cut here and there, but Disarm The Descent will forever be my favourite Killswitch album. Atonement has great moments too, I will say. I've also heard enough of their music to understand their sound, and This Consequence is just another continuation of what the band have always been strong at. Now, that can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it. For me, just like the other albums, it has its strong moments and clunkers.
"Abandon Us" starts off the record with a nice dose of gut-punching riffs from Adam and Joel Stroetzel, and the throat-ripping screams of Jesse, along with a really nice chorus that sticks in your head. However, as we begin to head down the record, the typical Killswitch formula sails smoothly from track to track with hardly any to no left turns. It became a very predictable listen after three or four songs. It's kind of a case of where if you've heard one song by a band, you've heard them all. That's not to say that the record contains anymore strong songs, because there's also "I Believe", "Where It Dies" and "Aftermath". "The Fall Of Us" is the most intense song here with fast riffing, blast beats and a chunky breakdown, but that's honestly it for all the strong moments.
I've mentioned in my review of Atonement that it'd be interesting to see Killswitch write more of a proggy epic because with their songwriting skills, they could very well come up with something quite compelling in that style. The last time Killswitch had any songs that reach over 5 minutes was on Alive Or Just Breathing, so I think it's high time that they did something like that again, or even longer, and I'm sure I'm not the ony one thinking that. With all that being said, This Consequence didn't do much to keep my interest after only a few songs because it just feels like a repeat Killswitch album with nothing new to offer, and I like to be surprised every once in a while. I think I will just stick with Disarm The Descent and a bit from Atonement with Killswitch Engage.
FINAL RATING
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