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"Despite the obvious sincerity of Killswitch Engage's approach, "Atonement" is therefore an unequal album that can be listened to without boredom but without joy"
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3/5
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"Disarm The Descent" and "Incarnate" had confirmed Killswitch Engage's renewed shape and his position as a leader in the metalcore style of which he is one of the precursors. Back behind the microphone after ten years of absence, Jesse Leach had managed to overcome his anxiety and depression and put them to good use in his songwriting and vocals skills. But the frontman was unfortunately far from finished with the problems and this new Killswitch Engage album might never have been released. Operated by a polyp on the vocal cords in the middle of the recording sessions, the singer lived for several months without knowing if he could sing again. And it took him a strong discipline, a lot of will and all the support of the band to face a long and demanding vocal re-education and thus put the finishing touches to "Atonement", the eighth album of the Massachusetts combo.
Listening to the album, the first observation is that this health concern has in no way affected Jesse Leach's vocal abilities, who alternates with as much mastery as ever between clear and aggressive screaming vocals. "Atonement" is on the whole more aggressive and darker than its predecessor. Killswitch Engage always has an unfailing rage and expresses it through heavy and formidable melodic metalcore fireworks ('Unleashed','The Signal Fire','Know Your Enemy') and heavy and epic thrash riffs, notably the track 'The Crownless King' on which Jesse Leach shares the song with Chuck Billy from Testament. The tracks are short, simple, effective, multiply the screamed verses and catchy choruses and rely on an always precise rhythm section.
However, through calibrated and interchangeable productions, metalcore has become over the years a genre on the verge of asphyxiation. And you can't count on Killswitch Engage to renew it. Certainly the band is one of the pioneers and the know-how of its members is undeniable. But the fact remains that gimmicks of composition are sometimes a little big and that some songs are at best predictable ('As Sure As The Sun Will Rise'), at worst dusty ('Take Control','I Can't Be The Only One') when they do not border on the neo-metal style ('I Am Broken Two').
Despite the obvious sincerity of Killswitch Engage's approach, "Atonement" is therefore an unequal album that can be listened to without boredom but without joy. It will easily satisfy all the fans of the band. For the others, it will be just another album in his discography and in recent metalcore production in general.
- Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Unleashed 02. The Signal Fire (feat. Howard Jones) 03. Us Against The World 04. The Crownless King (feat. Chuck Billy) 05. I Am Broken Too 06. As Sure As The Sun Will Rise 07. Know Your Enemy 08. Take Control 09. Ravenous 10. I Can't Be The Only One 11. Bite The Hand That Feeds
LINEUP:
Adam Dutkiewicz: Guitares Jesse Leach: Chant Joel Stroetzel: Guitares Justin Foley: Batterie Mike D'antonio: Basse
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3/5 (2 view(s))
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