Review by Rachel Jablonski
I was on a plane to St. Louis last week and experienced some intense turbulence. Speeding ahead through resistant air, my stomach sloshed and head slashed as I was tossed around wildly in my seat. The shock of unsteadiness soon subsided as the plane secured, but only momentarily. Soon my heart jumped back into my throat and instability returned. Reflecting back on this flight, I realize it to be a great physical comparison to the sound of the latest release, The End of Heartache, from the one and only Killswitch Engage. The intense sound portrayed on the album is turbulent, incredibly pulsating and gut wrenching, yet the music is stabilized with pleasant melody giving the album an overall well balanced feel.
Since the 2002 release Alive or Just Breathing, Killswitch Engage has transitioned with a new drummer and a new vocalist. Due in part to vocal strain incurred by original vocalist Jesse Leach, front man Howard Jones has stepped in and conquered the difficult role of successor . In all honesty, I was hesitant about thr vocal switch prior to hearing the album having really enjoyed the sound of Leach. However, I am most surprised and extremely happy to find this change has not affected the sound of the band so much as I had imagined. In fact, the vocal similarities between Jones and Leach are amazing and at times the distinction between the vocal sounds of the last two albums is difficult to detect. Screams are similar even down to the EEEEEE-O. Ok, so that sound is hard to describe, but it’s a Killswitch trait that always makes me smile. Listen to track 8, “Declaration." Right at the beginning of the song you will hear what I am referring to. I love it!
The vocals on The End of Heartache are ever pleasing with a great mix of complete metal sound with great melodies intertwined. Leach makes an appearance on the album by contributing vocals on track 2, “Take This Oath” as well. Musically, the album follows a similar pattern to that of vocal styling with thundering guitars and pounding percussion occasionally interrupted by softer, more melodic moments. “Breathe Life” begins with a rapid pace and crunchy guitars. Hard vocals saturate until the chorus when the music takes a more calming effect and vocal sound mellows to a melodic lull. This smoothness is continually alternated with the otherwise ferocity prevalent in the song.
The End of Heartache is a gripping album that utilizes the musical strengths of Killswitch Engage. It is a turbulence of musical flare and has shaken up my CD rotation and stirred my emotions with its full speed ahead, heavy approach.