Killswitch Engage - Disarm The Descent

[Mecca]

Hi guys, slightly amended review of KSE's Disarm The Descent from my website metal music blog. Disarm the Descent (which you can purchase here) is the much anticipated 6th album from Killswitch Engage, largely due to the hype surrounding the return of Jesse Leach, the metalcore outfit's original vocalist. As with every other metal fan, I was interested to hear what impact the return of Leach would have on KSE's sound. Firstly, Leach has still got it! His screams are still ferocious sounding and his cleans are dripping with feel and emotion. The Hell In Me is the perfect song to begin with and sends fans the message "Do not despair the departure of Jones because Leach is going to rip you a new one!". However, whilst the layered vocals sound amazing in studio and on an album, it will be a challenge for Killswitch Engage to pull off live (in particular The Turning Point and All That We Have). Essentially, Disarm the Descent is really your classic Killswitch album. There are your classic anthems, such as New Awakening, which will no doubt be a hit live. There are meaty and hooky guitar riffs courtesy of Dutkiewicz and Strotzel, which includes heavy chug chug, Iron Maiden-esque rhythmic gallop and melodic and catchy guitar licks. And therein lies the problem with Disarm the Descent - it encompasses all that we have come to love about Killswitch's sound but nothing else. When you have already listened to five albums worth of that sound, it gets a bit tiring to hear a 6th album of something pretty close to the same.Whilst the vocals are fresh and new, from a music perspective, there are no songs which really make you sit up and go "hey, that's different!". Whilst Disarm The Descent doesn't exactly replicate Killswitch Engage's prior releases, it doesn't present anything fresh either. Of course, I am not saying that Killswitch should go ahead and change their sound completely. After all, the sound that Killswitch have developed over the years have garnered a MASSIVE following. They know what they are good at and they have a following for it, so why not dish up more of the same? I do not blame them for this at all. Having said that, Killswitch are a bunch of talented musicians so they are capable producing an album that is so much more than just a "fun listen". Killswitch won't be gaining any new listeners with this album but Killswitch fans won't be disappointed either. In summary, 3 out of 5 horns from me \m/\m/\m/\m/\m/. Stay metal \m/ecca

[Metalhead Steve]

I'm definitely one for this album, love how it sounds. 4/5 horns from me. I think you should do a review on Adept's new album, if you're one to listen to them.

[Mecca]

I'm definitely one for this album, love how it sounds. 4/5 horns from me. I think you should do a review on Adept's new album, if you're one to listen to them.

Thanks for you comments Steve! Glad you like the album too - nothing feels worse than looking forward to a release and being disappointed. Never head of Adept but will look them up now!

[deathstorm]

killswitch was cool with howard i like the new cd jesse sounds better than he does on the first kwe cd alive of just breathing great cd 5out of 5 horns for me all in due time awsome as hellk

[Manowarrior]

4/5 from me as well but nothing will beat AOJB