Killswitch Engage : "This Consequence"

Metal core has changed since the days of Myspace. Can this band stay relevant, while working off a formula that went stale years ago? Playing faster and keeping things at a more frantic thrashing while going with the big melodic hook for the chorus where the vocal production sounds the same each time is the answer. At times some of the hardcore influence comes through at others it feels more like Slipknot, this only works for the first two songs, before it begins to all sound the same. Jesse Leach has a better hard voice than Howard Jones, whereas Howard possesses a more charismatic singing voice than Jesse. This affects the band's current sound and works off a formula established back during the decade of Howard Jones. 

At times it feels like Leach is singing under Jones's shadow, which is the opposite of when Jones replaces Leachadhad those expectations to live up to. If you wanted a band that embodied what kept metal alive during the Mysapce year these guys would be the poster children. It sounds like their successes are so invested in a formula that deviating from that would be too much of a risk for them, so they now clock in and just make the sounds they know will sell. The first song that I like is "Where it Dies" which takes on more of a groove. "Collusion" that follows it might not live up to "Where it Dies' but it's also a better song that does not feel like they are just punching a clock in the studio. 

 " Broken Glass" starts off with more promise. It is more deliberate, and marginally darker, though I think the entire album should be darker, the vocals at least take a different approach Midway into things, and it becomes a too-familiar undercurrent. "Requium' works better, as it carries more of a hook. The trash riff driving it is not the most original thing I have heard but the vocals balance things out with a catchier chorus. I will give this album an 8. I imagine they are somewhat limited by the exceptions of their fan base in terms of the formula that works, but this is too middle of the road. They are pros at what they are doing so the same ole same ole at least sounds pristine for radio-friendly metal. This dropped on Metal Blade.