Back in the ye olden days of the post-millennium era, while becoming increasingly enamored with extreme metal, nor was I immune to the nü trends and buzz bands of the period. During my musical travels, I stumbled across the underrated self-titled debut from then little-known Massachusetts metalcore band Killswitch Engage. The rugged, bouncy brand of melodic metalcore had an irresistible appeal, with the Gothenburg-indebted riffs, chunky breakdowns, and charismatic scream/clean combo of vocalist Jesse Leach (Times of Grace). In 2002 and I joined the eager anticipation of the band’s now widely regarded metalcore classic, Alive or Just Breathing. Largely tapping out after this time, I have come to appreciate certain albums of the Howard Jones-era. Though inevitably tastes veered in vastly different directions, metalcore becoming a rare part of my listening rotation. Leach returned for 2013’s well-received return to form, Disarm the Descent. A couple of albums followed, which I only partially sampled, most recently being the Muppet-reviewed 2019 effort Atonement. In the veteran category and 25 years since their debut, how does ninth album This Consequence fare?
Despite the vocal trades between Leach and Jones, the KsE line-up has remained remarkably solid across their career. Adam Dutkiewicz (lead guitar), Jesse Stroetzel (rhythm guitar), bassist Mike D’Antonio and longer-serving drummer Justin Foley round out the line-up. Musically, KsE stay rigidly true to their signature formula of rousing, infectiously hooky metalcore. Time away from the studio hasn’t altered the band’s steadfast mission statement. At this point, it comes as no surprise. KsE long cultivated a formula that works, so drastic change is unrealistic, and for many, probably unwanted. Familiarity immediately kicks in with opener “Abandon Us,” as rigid, aggressive drumbeats, chugging riffs and Leach’s signature screams lead into a big, anthemic chorus. Aggressive vocal tradeoffs and chunky breakdowns wrap up a solid starter. From here Killswitch follow a similar trajectory across a tight 35-minute duration.
While the songwriting quality fluctuates, those trademark soaring hooks, shiny production values, and aggressive-clean dynamics remain effective core factors to the Killswitch experience. For casual listeners, assuming they previously dug what the band has been selling over the years, it’s easy to get hooked in. Occasionally things can feel a tad repetitive and overly reliant on the booming choruses, with the formulaic nature of the modern KsE experience lending itself to songwriting vulnerability. If the choruses don’t stick or the verses come across as too tepid or lacking edge, the quality of the writing can struggle to carry the weaker traits. When leaning into their more aggressive urges and applying as much attention to the verses as the showpiece chorus hooks, the results are more appealing. For the most part, KsE manage to get the balance right with fairly solid, if unsurprising results.
The efficient sub-three-minute burst of “Discordant Nation” highlights the effective characteristics of their sound; verses pack a punch, and the chorus hook hits the spot. Similarly potent examples of metalcore aggression and skyscraping melodic hooks arise on select earwormy cuts (‘Aftermath,” “Forever Aligned,” “Collusion”). Leach remains a force behind the mic, even though the melodrama is little much at times. “I Believe” halts momentum, its uplifting vibes, cheesy lyrics and religious overtones are jarringly sappy, coming across like a Christian rock power ballad, done metalcore style. Thankfully this is the only genuine misstep. Although the front half of the album contains some big-hitting hooks, the second half shows KsE flexing their muscles, lending the album a heavier edge. This is reflected with the spikier riffs, nifty solo and chunky attack of “Where it Dies,” the energized, blast-infused “The Fall of Us,” and sludgy, heaving hardcore stomp of “Broken Glass,” evoking the more inspired work of their early career.
The long-term unit sound tight, performances are uniformly solid, though the writing is a little too safe at times, and a rather bland production and crushed mastering do no favors. Flaws aside, This Consequence marks a solid, if unremarkable addition to the Killswitch Engage catalog. The hooks are plentifully scattered and predictably addictive, while the heavier, more urgent throes of the back half hold the album afloat from the band’s stylistic trappings. Overall, This Consequence won’t sway perspectives one way or another. It offers solid, no-frills Killswitch returns, with the aggressive turns and less overtly poppy sensibilities of the album’s second half., coupled with reliable earworm hooks, scraping a pass grade.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 5 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Metal Blade Records
Websites: Killswitchengage.com | Facebook.com/killswitchengage
Releases Worldwide: February 21st, 2025
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