review: Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage

Atonement

Metal Blade Records

16 August 2019

The continued success of the band rests on the intelligent decisions that they have made in the two decades of activity, in addition to their hard work and a will to succeed and do what it takes to persevere. After some 20 years as a band, and now eight studio albums, they continue finding ways to make creative works in their niche. Characterized by very catchy thrashy guitar work in 2019, the album is full of fun, uptempo and cheerful melodies. The other side of the guitar coin is the chugging heaviness that encourages movement from the audience, whether live in concert or not. The guitar work and its efficiency is one of the most attractive points. They have a very clear plan to ensure that every song gives the listener chugging heaviness and melodies simultaneously. The approach is to write concise songs that do not overstay their welcome. The vocals at all times go back and forth between extreme and singing. The extreme end consists of screaming and growling, and the singing fits the more melodic segments. This style of dual vocals is a big reason why the band has experienced success and they are not about to do something crazy by destroying what got them this far in this first place.

Given the no-nonsense style of songwriting, in 2019 there are some particular things that will be interesting to fans of the extreme/melodic combination. “Unleashed,” the first song, is a midtempo track that goes for some deep chugging while allowing the melodic singing to take the big chunk of the time. That is followed by “The Signal Fire” a fist-raising headbanging tune that throws down as hard as the band can. “I Am Broken Too” is probably the album’s most melodic and ear-friendly song. The fans are going to demand this one in concert. People might not leave the venue unless the band plays it. It’s that type of song. Another thing to notice is that they showcase the melodic singing quite a bit on the album, and the production team finds ways to develop and to push the songs towards melody as much possible and maybe do it more than ever, as a way to keep things interesting and fresh for the band themselves. Twenty years in, and one of the most important bands in shaping the sound of post-2000 U.S. popular melodic extreme metal remains very faithful and reliable. The years have made them consummate experts at the style that they had a hand in raising to the level of success that it has.

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