Album Review: Killswitch Engage - Atonement

Killswitch Engage is an outlier band in that they have two albums that are foundational to their genre. Very few bands can say that, but they are one of them. "Alive Or Just Breathing" established the rules of what metalcore was going to be when it clawed into the mainstream, while "The End Of Heartache" is the defining statement of the genre. There is no album that completely encompasses everything metalcore is, or does it as well, as that record. So when I say nothing Killswitch has done since then has cut through and felt as important, don't count that as a slight. There is no way for a band to rewrite a genre once they have defined it themselves. If Killswitch Engage is able to remind us they are the bar by which all is judged, that's more than enough.

That brings us to "Atonement", album number three in Jesse Leach's second stint fronting the band. I consider this an important record for them, because they are coming off what I consider their worst album yet. I am firmly in the camp that says Howard is the band's better voice, but "Disarm The Descent" was a very good record I was absolutely happy with. I can't say that about "Incarnate", which felt tired, miserable, and bored with trying to be Killswitch Engage. Another record like that would be a severe warning that the band's best days might firmly be behind us. And considering that Jesse talked openly about how hard making this record was, both physically and mentally, I worry what a negative reaction could cause.

When Killswitch Engage are at their best is not when they are at their fastest, or their heaviest. That's not the kind of band they are. What they do better than anyone else is play grooving heavy metal with an emotional resonance most bands aren't capable of. Jesse and Howard are both deep thinkers, and when that comes across in their delivery, it's the spark that sets this band apart. We hear some of that on "I Am Broken Too", which continues their history of writing slower songs that wring everything they can out of the notes. That vulnerability is a welcome change of pace from the screaming that carries most of the verses on the record. However, I would note that when Howard Jones pops up for a brief cameo in "The Signal Fire", his voice nearly swallows Jesse's as they sing together. Just saying.

The good news about "Atonement" is that it is a far better record than "Incarnate" was, and is largely absent of the dour, downbeat feeling that record gave me. This is a more aggressive album than "Disarm The Descent" was, but retaining the same ethos. The band clearly has more energy and fire this time around, which makes for a much more engaging listening experience.

The bad news about "Atonement" is the same thing I've thought about most of Jesse's time in the band, including the seminal "Alive Or Just Breathing"; he's not a great melodic writer. His strengths lie as a lyricist, not writing the hooks and melodies that these songs are crying out for. That's where I've always felt Howard was better. The band sounded bigger, more dramatic, and more emotional with him. I know Jesse is pouring his heart and soul into these songs, but his voice doesn't resonate the same way. If anything, his clean singing might be... too clean.

He deals with that on "Know Your Enemy" by simply barking through the entire track, which makes that one of the least interesting on the whole album. The point of metalcore is balancing the heaviness with melody, and without having both elements in there, they're essentially a death metal band. That's not what I listen to Killswitch Engage for.

"Atonement" is a record that continues on with the status quo. Nothing about this record is going to turn fans off, but it also isn't the kind of record that will get attention and give the band a second wind. I don't hear any of these tracks becoming classics the way "My Last Serenade" or "A Bid Farewell" have. This is a veteran record from a veteran band. It plays the hits, but without the spark from when we first heard them. It happens to everyone, if they decide to stay true to their roots. I'm not going to fault Killswitch Engage for sounding like Killswith Engage.

What I would say is while this is a good record, and it's going to please the people on Jesse's side of the ledger, the band hasn't really spoken to those of us on the other side very well since his return. A few more songs like "Ravenous", and a few less like "Unleashed", and they would have the perfect mix of their past and present. "Atonement" makes up for "Incarnate", but I still find myself longing for the old days a bit.