Killswitch Engage
The End Of Heartache

THE REVIEW

Three years ago, I met a group of guys who played in a band. Not knowing what genre they played, one of them told me they were into emocore or something like that. Pretending to understand, I nodded and asked for more information. He said they did something like Killswitch Engage... The plot thickens. The next day. Evening. We meet up to go have a drink at an Irish pub. I see my friend approaching with a wicked grin, and he hands me something. I saw there was something... "The End Of Heartache". So it was that from the journey back home until today, the album continues to spin often in my CD player (for anyone interested in clarification: yes, it's still my friend's).

Anyway, besides some vague cases, I hadn't been interested in angrier genres than nu metal, and I really appreciated this leap, even though I knew what core was in general and what it had become in our times: a bunch of similar songs. I would say the most shocking thing is how the songs immediately grab you. You let them in as if nothing happened, and you can't let them go for any reason in the world. Honestly, it's something that's never happened to me in a genre like this. And so it begins. "A bid farewell" leaves me speechless. Have you ever seen an album that opens with a farewell? It's simply genius like the song mentioned above. We continue with "Take this oath", which, in my opinion, isn't the best, but it's still a nice song. Then a scream tears the speakers. It's "When darkness falls", a stunning song that conveys the desperation of a scenario that darkens and shouldn't. Moreover, it is part of the soundtrack of the movie "Freddy vs Jason". Legendary.

Then comes one of the highlights of the entire album: "Rose of Sharyn", with that acoustic introductory part that moves into full emocore, is truly great. And here's "Breathe Life", which remains a great Killswitch-style song. Then we reach the title track, which left me a bit perplexed. Since I've already heard it in the end credits of "RE: Apocalypse" and it seemed quite mellow with a classical melodic voice, I didn't want them to start selling out, but I gladly notice that the CD version is more catchy. The fact is, it still doesn't entirely convince me. The following "Declaration" I personally consider the best track of the album with its great mix between screamed and melodically sung parts, a frenzied rhythm that doesn't spill over into excess. Every time I hear it, I lose control and go wild. The last two tracks didn't particularly thrill me even though "Wasted sacrifice" turns out to be very melancholic and sad and "delicate" (at least in the melodic part).

A very good album that keeps the English group at the top (if not at the very top) without changing their style one bit even though the singer is not what he used to be. A style they would do well to keep unchanged because it's just as intense, beautiful, and always fresh with a very slight decline compared to their beginnings. The album only lacks their "My last serenade" which, in one edition, can also be found doubled with some live Kill performances that many will surely appreciate (add half a star to the rating if you purchase this edition). For anyone who might be interested, I recommend keeping an eye out because their new last work should be out soon. ;)