Metalcore is alive and well – review of Killswitch Engage’s upcoming album “This Consequence”

Question. How much does it take to become a metalcore fan? Answer. 35 minutes and 08 seconds. No, I’m not going crazy, this is the exact duration of Killswitch Engage‘s ninth studio album titled “This Consequence”, to be released via Metal Blade Records. And that is how long it will take for someone to fall in love with metalcore because frankly after listening to this album, I’m almost prepared to say that it’s on my top 3 of heavy metal subgenres.

While some of the melodies are sometimes repetitive, this is the only reason why “This Consequence” doesn’t have a perfect score. Otherwise, this album is a step forward from “Atonement” and we must praise the band for the effort that they have put into this full-length. The production, mixing and mastering are top-notch, the vocals have interesting composition and alternate between clean and harsh.

From almost deathcore tracks like “The Fall of Us” to more classic Killswitch Engage style tunes like the single “Forever Aligned“, there is truly something for every kind of “core” genres’ listeners. I am so glad that Mike D’antonio’s bass has the space it deserves in the mix because holding up the rhythmic section isn’t an easy job at all. Dutkiewicz and Stroetzel are excellent in intertwining riffs and themes in the tracks, with Foley manning the drums giving the solidity that this genre requires.

These tracks will work perfectly in a live setting, and when I caught a glimpse of their performance at the 2023 edition of Wacken Open Air, I knew that it wouldn’t be the last time that I crossed paths with them. “This Consequence” shows a valid group that is proving their worth and their value in today’s metalcore scene.

So if you’re looking to start the new year with some good music, you can’t go wrong with Killswitch Engage. “This Consequence” has a familiar yet fresh appeal; I think that the band isn’t content to merely build on its past achievements or stick to the parameters of previous work. To ensure that fans of the band and the genre are not let down, we can only hope that this is a positive indication of their future.

Tracklist:

1. Abandon Us
2. Discordant Nation
3. Aftermath
4. Forever Aligned
5. I Believe
6. Where It Dies
7. Collusion
8. The Fall of Us
9. Broken Glass
10. Requiem