Tony Carnelli
Staff Writer
While music is going to hell due to the rise of so-called “pop stars” who are cloned to meet the expectations of corporate music industry owners, it is genuinely awesome to see a band with some guts start a movement that will influence many heavy-metal bands to come.
Less then a year ago, Killswitch Engage released their third full-length album, “The End of Heartache.” After a short time that included heavy touring and long nights, the band went back into the studio to put something together that would prove memorable for metal fans across the country.
Killswitch Engage’s first album received hardly any attention back in
2000 because they were being drowned out by other hardcore acts like Slipknot and Fear Factory. After both of those bands temporarily faded out of the spotlight, Killswitch Engage got its chance to emerge onto the music scene. They combine an explosive pounding of the double-bass kick drum, raging guitars and the raspy screaming voice of singer Jesse Leach that truly only a mother could love.
After coming out with a couple of hit albums within the past few years and releasing some hit singles in movies such as “Freddy vs. Jason” and “Resident Evil,” the band promptly started off 2005 strong by releasing a digitally re-mastered self-debut album that contains rare demos from its early days.
The self-titled album truly captures the emergence and aggressiveness of raw metal. Drummer Justin Foley separates the band from other metal bands with his unique double-bass, and guitarist Adam Dutkiewitz exerts his talents with melodic riffs and solos that will seep into your head and rattle it all night long.
Rather than selling out to some pretty boy on Hollywood Boulevard, the band has done a lot of the album mixing themselves, and Duktiewitz provided them with the fuel to create a powerful, yet distinguishable sound. As technology rolls along, a lot of bands have started their own re-mastering phases of audio production. Def Leopard and Nirvana both have re-released versions of their greatest hits albums with enhanced sound.
But Killswitch Engage does the best job. All the good elements of a mix are there. Every instrument stands out, the frequencies blend without any type of noise disruption and the elaborate singing does not drown out the rest of the band.
The digitally re-mastered album is packed with hits, and you won’t get tired of it, nor will it become played out like a Switchfoot album. The song “Rusted Embrace” has an explosive punch, but a simple melody makes it catchy. Songs like this one will get you pumped before a long night of partying or for an intense workout at the gym.
The band also does a great job of switching gears by producing something a little more morbid and slower-paced like the song “One Last Sunset.” The unique thing about this song is that there are no vocals — just melodies embedded with speedy guitar solos that give it an exquisite sounding Spanish influence.
“Numb Sickened Eyes” is another song worth mentioning. It starts off with steady drumbeats and then slams like a glass window shattering.
While the album remains solid, the band could have done without adding a lot of their demo tracks. Even though they are rare, they still add an unnecessary disruption to the flow of the re-mastered album.
This is an unfortunate trend that has been followed by a lot of bands. They usually include a couple demo tracks as bonus portions of their CDs, but it doesn’t do much for the listener.
It’s nice to hear a band’s roots, but when the recording quality is poor compared to rest of the album, it prevents an even flow. However, it is good to hear some of the heritage and influence that created the unique sound of progressive metal.
If this is the first time you’re picking up a Killswitch Engage album, brace yourself. This type of music is unlikely to impress your date or provide a good impression to your parents.
With that said, if you like rock music and are looking for something different from the drowning and overplayed sounds of Limp Bizkit and Korn on the radio, then Killswitch is definitely an eye-opener in helping to understand the future of heavy metal in the music industry.
02-24-2005
