Artist: Killswitch Engage
Album: Atonement
Genre: Metalcore
Country: USA
Release Date: 23rd of August, 2019
Released via Metal Blade
Cover Artwork © Metal Blade 2019
“A friend in need is a friend indeed.“
Everyone who has ever listened to Placebo knows these words (the song is “Pure Morning” by the way). Friendship isn’t about laughing all time, it should be, but real friendship means sticking together when times get rough. Good friends will tell you, when you screwed up, but their worth lies in giving good advice on the one hand and listening to you, when you just want to talk on the other.
Killswitch Engage are the personified PMA-band in my books, especially with Jesse Leach on vocals. Howard Jones, his follow-up/ predecessor took another approach, which wasn’t bad either. Howard Jones put the focus on the power of love and togetherness on his KSE-albums. The message with Leach has always been: “You are down? DO SOMETHING AGAINST IT! YOU CAN MAKE IT!” A lot of bands do that, but it takes credibility and conviction to convey this message. “The Signal Fire” is a special song on the album. Howard Jones and Jesse Leach sing it together and it sounds awesome to hear them together. Past, present and future of KSE in one song, definitely a highlight on this album. “Take control” taps the same vein in a typical anthemic KSE way.
“Friends will be friends, when you’re in need of love, they give you care and attention.“
Freddie Mercury was right in every aspect, Jesse knows that too. Whether it be “I can’t be the only one” or “I am broken too“, you can’t help yourself but feel uplifted after listening to those songs. Especially “I can’t be the only one” is without a doubt the highlight of this album. It has all the KSE trademarks we’ve loved over the years, awesome melody and lyrics you can scream / sing along with thousands of people and feeling united while pushing each other in front of the stage the same time.
“I am broken too” deals with the heavy subject of depression and how just a simple “I can relate” can save people’s lives. Taking care and accepting being taken care of have the same importance, depending on which side you are on in your life. Once again it is the vocal delivery which gives this song the emotional depth that saves it from being shallow.
Killswitch Engage delivered another beacon of PMA for those who are in need for it. And the other ones, who don’t have to deal with any hardships at the moment can enjoy a very good Metalcore record and nod their head with a big grin on their face.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
8 / 10
As usual, we added the favorite track(s) to our Transcended Review Playlist.
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