 
Well after a rocky patch with their singer Howard
Jones going completely off the grid leaving them
high and dry KsE have made a triumphant comeback,
mostly due to the fact that this has led to ex-vocalist
Jesse Leech rejoining the fold to put his stamp
on their new album, the first since 2002’s
“Alive Or Just Breathing”. This was
not the original plan, they did hold global online
auditions for a new singer but then when Jesse
showed interest in rejoining the lads, he auditioned
himself and unsurprisingly he was chosen to front
Killswitch Engage much to the approval of the
vast majority of fans around the globe but none
of us were surprised after Times of Grace were
formed (Jesse Leech and Adam D’s side project).
In all fairness the only Killswitch album that
I’m not too fond of is “As Daylight
Dies”, don’t get me wrong it had its
moments but mostly just faded into the background
when it came anywhere near comparison with the
impressive “End of Heartache”, “Alive
or Just Breathing” and even their 2009 self
titled effort. Holy shit that’s just made
me realise this is the first KsE album in 4 years!
Let’s start with the single “In Due
Time” that has already been kicking around
for a while now; oh my goodness what a song it
is, it’s not like they’ve just reverted
back to pre Howard times, they’ve kept the
newly found technicality in the writing style
but Jesse’s vocal chords alongside it just
bring back an age my generation at least were
really getting into metalcore, I mean “My
Last Serenade” is still a big hit to this
day.
It’s not alone in terms of infectious lyrics
and sheer aggressive tones that take control of
your muscles causing all sorts of impulsive headbanging
or arm movements; “New Awakening”
is the brute of the album I feel as even when
the tempo slows the tone drops, “Turning
Point” and “All That We Have”
as well have a heightened level of groove provoking
me to start dancing without realising.
Now i will be the first to admit, I was heartbroken
when Howard left and Jesse rejoining didn’t
do much for me as my favourite albums are “End
of Heartache” and “Killswitch Engage”
(2009 self titled not the earlier one), Howard
was and is still my favourite Killswitch singer
as I’ve had so much fun at gigs and enjoyment
from listening with him in the fold. Facts are
facts though and the fact of the matter is that
Jesse has delivered possibly my favourite album
of 2013 in the first half of the year, depending
on what comes out after this but I have complete
faith this won’t be beaten.
5/5
Review by James Webb
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