Year: 2002
Country: US
City: Westfield, MA
Label: Warner
Format: CD, LP
Tracks: 12
Time: 38 min.
Genre: rock
Style: Metalcore
Lately, many releases follow a set formula and bands do a lot more than
just wear their influences on their hoodies. Really, why bother
listening to a CD case-full of bands that sound more similar than
unique? For those looking to escape the monotony that so much punk has
to offer, here is the Roadrunner Records debut by Killswitch Engage.
Killswitch Engage formed only a couple years ago from the ashes of New
England hardcore bands and immediatly made a local impact due their
absolutely ferocious audio assult. Blending full-on hardcore with metal
riffs and a vocalist who can go from screaming to singing
instantaniously (Think Tim Williams from VOD, except with a much
improved singing voice), Killswitch Engage's blend of music is a band to
be reckoned with, and "Alive or Just Breathing" stands as a musical
achievement. Not only does Killswitch Engage not emulate other bands in a
carbon-copy fashion, each song stands out as a seprate offering instead
of one song played 12 times. The second track, "Self Revoltion" has
every ingredient a Killswitch Engage song is seasoned with; precise,
powerful drumming, major shredding and killer guitar riffs, screaming
verses and a beautiflly sung chorus break. The single off of the disc,
"My Last Serenade," eases in with gentle acoustic strum (a la
Metallica's "Battery") before blasting off into riffs that dare you to
sit still (The video just got added to some MTV rock show as well as
Much Music...look for it.). Although an extremely heavy band,
Killswitch's lyrics avoid typical tough lyrics and opt for more
thoughtful and positive words to accompany their music. Take "Vide
Infra," one of the two re-recorded songs from their debut disc ("Temple
From the Within" being the other), when it says, "I will stand up for
who I am, never moved by condemnation, no one is placed higher than
another, no matter race or creed or gender, we must teach compassion for
all life, through understanding of our differences, we wil find respect
for one another...". The production on this CD is stellar and forces
the music clear out of your speakers, destroying all in it's path. There
is no bad news when it comes to this disc. Unfortunately, there is some
bad news with the band. Vocalist Jesse Leach quit very recently. He has
been replaced but his gifted voice will be missed (*Review by Kevtv ).
"the end of heartache"Year: 2005
Label: Warner
Format: CD, LP
Tracks: 12
Time: 40 min.
Genre: rock
Style: Metalcore
Discogs , Download
"atonement"Year: 2019
Label: Metal Blade
Format: CD, LP
Tracks: 11
Time: 40 min.
Genre: rock
Style: Metalcore
Discogs , Download
