Killswitch Engage This Consequence

Killswitch Engage, the American metalcore band renowned for their powerful fusion of melodic and aggressive elements, are due to release their latest album This Consequence on February 21st via Metal Blade Records. The anticipation for this album has been high, with the band putting emphasis on passion, energy and spirit.

Vocalist Jesse Leach says of the new record:

"Making this record lit a fire under my ass and made me rethink everything. It had to be next level. It had to be different enough for people to really recognize we’re putting forth an effort—or what’s the point of doing this? There was no repeating ourselves. It was very carefully planned out and passionately written. It sounds like Killswitch, yet there’s also a fresh spirit to it.”

One of the most commendable aspects of This Consequence is the band's unwavering technical proficiency. The guitar riffs are intricate and well executed, particularly on tracks “Discordant Nation," "Aftermath" and “Forever Aligned.” They display a high level of skill whilst the drum patterns are dynamic and powerful. The first section of the record certainly holds the position as the strongest and most memorable in terms of tracks. Jesse manages to hold his own for the most part with his blend of vocal styles, alternating between soaring cleans, energetic growls and powerful screams. 

The production quality for This Consequence is top tier and each instrument is given its space to shine with a well-balanced mix. The clarity of the music allows the listener to appreciate the details and nuances from the subtle harmonics to the thunderous breakdowns. The overall experience is polished, professional and clearly reflects the band's commitment to delivering high-quality music, which is particularly highlighted on “The Fall Of Us.” The aforementioned powerful screams and growls are well showcased here, supported by the aggressive blend of chugging guitars and intense blast-beats. This is old school Killswitch Engage at its finest. 

However, top-tier production can't mask the repetitiveness of several tracks which draw on the same formula, such as “Where It Dies," “Collusion” and ”Requiem." Although these tracks feature admirable guitar technique and trademark heaviness injected with groove-stomps, there isn't anything overly memorable about them. Killswitch Engage have proven before that they are experts of their craft, particularly in their earlier years, but there's a certain level of spice which seems to be missing, rendering the experience bland.

Bottom Line: It has cool moments, but overall it is a bit beige which is disappointing as they are a fantastic band. They have proven that they do have the ability to create high-quality metal and metalcore and this record has elements to highlight that fact. However, This Consequence's lack of engagement and memorable moments ultimately condemn it to stand as a less exciting addition to their discography, especially in regard to marking a milestone such as a 25th anniversary. Nevertheless, this is through and through a Killswitch Engage album which fans will enjoy in the moment, benefitting from comfort and familiarity, but for those seeking a more exhilarating and groundbreaking experience, This Consequence falls short of those expectations