Metal packed full of emotion.. (The End Of Heartache - Killswitch Engage)

Member Name: kellface

Product:	The End Of Heartache - Killswitch Engage
Date:	30/03/09 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Mixture of loud heavy music, screams and melodic chorus's blends together so well

Disadvantages: Screams could be a bit too much for some people, but I love it!

The third album from Massachusetts melodic metallers Killswitch Engage - The End of Heartache. Released in 2004 it reached 21 in the U.S Billboard 200 selling over 35,000 copies in its first week.

It was the first album to feature new vocalist Howard Jones, after the depature of their previous vocalist Jesse Leach in 2002. However Jesse still provided addition vocals for "Take This Oath". Completing the Killswitch line up are band members ; Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel (guitars), Mike D'Antonio (bass) and Justin Foler (drums).

Tracklisting ;

1. "A Bid Farewell" - A great opener for the album, starts with a deep bass riff and drums, before a spine tingling scream from Howard, more drums and guitars this time before opening into a screamer of a verse, then to the melodic chorus, absolutely perfect.

2. "Take This Oath" - Angry verses, and double bass drumming, moving into a more upbeat and softer chorus. Finishing off with Howards deep melodic singing "to the grave, take this oath". How his voice can change from screaming to melodic is awesome, and suits the band so well.

3. "When Darkness Falls" - Opens right up with screams, but blends so well into a beautiful chorus, heavy guitar riffs through the verses and a more simple softer riff in the chorus. The song was also used on the soundtrack to the Freddy Vs Jason movie.

4. "Rose of Sharyn" - One of my favourites of the album, and the first released as a single. Fast paced musically through the verses and a little softer in the chorus, the vocals are raw with the screams and packed full of emotion in the chorus. In my opinion one of the best songs they've done, it just proves that Metal can be emotional too. The harmonious line ; " I mourn for those, who never knew you". See's guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz sharing his vocal talents, his softer voice fits perfectly in the song.

5. "Inhale" - A little instrumental for the middle of the album, giving you a bit of a break from the screams and loudness, before it kicks right back into the next song.

6. "Breathe Life" - Loud and heavy as hell, throwing you back in at the deep end after the little instrumental of the previous song. Quite a dark song, but its awesome all the same. Lovely little guitar solo half way through the song, shame its a bit short.

7. "The End of Heartache" - Packed full of emotion, and you can see from the lyrics "sleep brings release and the hope of a new day, waking the misery of being without you." It's all about heartache, thus making it the title of the album, even in the screams on this song, they're emotional as hell. Musically it beats down on you, and fits perfectly with the vocals. It's without a doubt the best song on the album, and is a song I'd recommend to anyone as a first listener for getting into the band, it shows what Killswitch do best. The song was also the second released as a single, and featured on the Resident Evil : Apocolypse movie soundtrack.

8. "Declaration" - Dark and heavy start, before turning into a bit of a fast paced song, drums sound awesome on this song, Justin's definately got skills with his double bass pedal. Not one of the best songs on the album, but its certainly not bad. More of a middle of the album kind of filler song.

9. "World Ablaze" - Slow screams at the start, and more fast double bass drumming, heavy guitar riffs before the breakdown, where things slow down a bit but remain heavy as hell.

10. "And Embers Rise" - Another little instrumental filler, beautiful as hell, giving you another little break from the noise.

11. "Wasted Sacrifice" - "Screaming life for life" is the opening line of the song, spoken with Howards deep voice, before he breaks into more screams. Fast guitars and solid drumming, this is the sort of song that works the crowd up slowly into a frenzy before breaking out the big guns with the more popular songs.

12. "Hope Is..." - A great end to the album, builds it up slowly blending the drums and guitars together, but then cracks into some awesome music and even better vocals, lyrics like "weep no more, we will prevail", make me think that the song is about overcoming obstacles, and when you fail at something try again and you will suceed. The songs definately full of anger and hate, but its fast pace and constant build up of pressure make it so awesome.

Overall the album is one of Killswitch's best! There's not one totally weak song, ok there's songs that aren't as strong as others, but there in no way shape or form totally weak songs.
I'd recommend the album to anyone who likes their music loud and angry but packed full of emotion.
Also if you get the chance to see Killswitch Engage live, DO IT! Their live shows are awesome, they're even better live than on cd, musically and vocally. You can see the emotion in Howards voice as he's screaming out the lyrics.

Thanks for reading :)

Summary: In my opinion, their best album..