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For those who are loyal fans of this metalcore band, you’ll be glad Killswitch Engage are back with a new offering, long awaited for the past three years. And it’s about time.
'Alone I Stand' is slow to start but builds quickly into the identifiable Killswitch riff, ready to set the album up as a powerful album.
Throughout the record, the vocals don’t sound too dissimilar to those of former vocalist, Howard Jones – that is, if your only memory of Killswitch Engage was from their The End of Heartache era. However, with the return of their original lead vocalist Jesse Leach since Howard’s departure back in 2012, the band has not only grown from their last album (Disarm the Descent in 2013), but they’ve come full circle. They’ve returned to take back their well-deserved place in the metal market and evolve with their original-updated sound.
You’ll notice as you progress through the song, the lyrics are pretty deep, resonating with anyone who has been through a tough time or struggled with issues that they’re trying to let go of and rebuild themselves from. The opening melodies of 'Just Let Go' and the catchy tones of 'Quiet Distress' are so characteristic of Killswitch that you can’t fault them. This in itself shows the growth of the band, coming back from a three year break as a united five-piece, ready to take on the scene once again.
'Embrace the Journey…Upraised' is probably one of their heaviest tracks on Incarnate, demonstrating them creating a tighter, updated aspect of their usual style. For those who are fans of While She Sleeps, you’ll feel right at home.
If you’ve missed Killswitch Engage, you’ll be glad they’re back. If this is your first time hearing them, well you’re definitely in for one hell of a treat.
