Killswitch Engage – Disarm The Descent (2013) Review

by Evil Argento on @YellMagazine04/30/2013

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Yell! Magazine reviews Killswitch Engage – Disarm the Descent:

If you care, then you already know that Jesse Leach rejoined Killswitch Engage in 2012. Earlier this month, April 2, 2013, the band released a new album, Disarm the Descent, with Leach on vocals.

The first time putting it on, I mentally curled my lip and nodded; it was a Killswitch Engage album. There was nothing special or remarkable about it. In fact, some tracks actually turned me off, seeming formulaic and obvious. After a few more listens, it dawned on me that the predictability of Disarm the Descent is precisely this album’s strength. It’s exactly what KSE needed to do to satisfy the fans.

I don’t imagine that many KSE fans were opposed to Leach returning to front the band since Howard Jones’ departure, however, the band needed to show that Leach could fit in with the music. It had to be established that the old voice could fit with the new music. But let’s not forget that Leach has evolved as well and was working on the amazing Times of Grace project when he auditioned to rejoin KSE.

Back to my point; when I realized what KSE was somewhat obligated to do, I could truly sit back and enjoy the album. And it’s actually a damn good album, but you might have to listen to it a few times. Disarm the Descent is a slow-burn work that might take some time to appreciate, but like a lot of these types of albums, the reward is priceless, often giving you years of listening enjoyment.

Disarm the Descent gives us everything we’ve come to expect from Killswitch Engage: kick-ass melodic choruses, raw-nerve emotion, wicked vocals, cool riffs, intense drumming, catharsis. And there’s enough sing-along chanting to please concert goers. Sure, at times you might actually mistake Leach for Jones, wondering if Jones was actually providing some backup vocals, but he’s not, and this only proves that Leach is capable of delivering all of KSE’s material.

The Verdict:

If you’re a Killswitch Engage fan, you’re bound to inevitably love Disarm the Descent. If you’re not, it wouldn’t be a waste of your time to give this album a try. No, KSE isn’t reinventing the wheel, but like I said, that’s the beauty of this album and just what it needs to be. It’s well executed and production is clearly up to snuff. Top tracks to check out: “New Awakening,” “The Hell In Me,” “A Tribute to the Fallen,” “Always,” and “All That We Have.”

Rock Hard \m/