Self-titled albums often indicate that bands have run out of ideas
or are just too burned out from writing, pre-production and recording
to think of a pertinent title. But who cares about album titles?
Killswitch’s latest attempt could have been called Scream, Sing and
Scold Some More, and we all would have still bought it. The
Massachusetts quintet provides the signature riffs and rhythmic changes
they’re known for. Driving guitars, chugging rhythms, throat-wrenching
vocals and almost symphonic harmonies characterize this 11-track
masterpiece. From disc opener “Never Again,” singer Howard Jones lashes
out in a fury of brutal screams followed by angelic melodies. Adam
Dutkiewicz hits us with hypnotizing guitars on epic tunes like
“Reckoning,” “A Light in a Darkened World” and “This Is Goodbye.” This
will surely be another year of success for the band, and here’s hoping
mainstream success doesn’t spoil the show or inhibit Dutkiewicz’s wild
stage act — he often wears capes and Daisy Duke-like shorts and
flails around stage like the 1960s Batman. — Johnny
Angell
This article appears in Jul 1-7, 2009.
