Artist: Killswitch Engage
Label: Roadrunner Records
Release Date: 5/21/02
Average Rating: 3.8
Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this Album
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Title: Alive or Just Breathing Artist: Killswitch Engage Label: Roadrunner Records Release Date: 5/21/02 |
There are currently 5 Reader Reviews of this album.
Average Rating: 3.8 Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this Album |
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Submitted by Deacon Frost (9/5/02):
The newest album from the Mass. Band which features the brand of metal that is gaining notoriety nowadays in America. "Metalcore" which if you haven't guessed already mixes Thrash/Death Metal ala Gothenburg with Hardcore roots is generating much buzz nowadays that if the right cards are played is gonna be as big as the latest trend that has hit America for the past few years that even Roadrunner records is taking a gamble on this band (yup they are a major label now and they are promoting an "extreme" metal band).As same with musical trends there are bands that truly represent the genre to a degree where it would be hard to not notice nor ignore. Like their previous counterparts Korn, Deftones, Coal Chamber, Limp Bizkit the new breed is represented by Shadows Fall, God Forbid, Lamb of God and this band. Killswitch Engage and Shadows Fall earned their reputation by being once members of the band Overcast which is the forefather of the genre.
I agree that this album really has its moments ("Self-Revolution," "Just Barely Breathing," "The Element of One") it does not deter that the fact of the matter is, this album does not have that special quality that will make you enjoy listening to this album more than three times. The vocals mainly his growl is not impressive though what he lacks in conviction in his scream he makes it up with his clean singing voice which is truly his main strength is. The musicianship is excellent so is the quality of time that is put on the songwriting process but as they say "It lacks the punch to have a dent."
A pretty decent release from the Gothenburg, Mass. Movement but still falls short from excellence that the other bands in their scene has produced.
Submitted by LCS (7/21/02):
After purchasing Killswitch Engage's debut self-titled album on Ferretstyle records, and loving every minute of it, I eagerly anticipated their much hyped Roadrunner debut. And I am happy to report that this album shreds, and finally restores just a tiny bit of credibility to a label that has been spewing forth an endless stream of mainstream metal releases (and I use the term "metal" loosely) over the past five to seven years. Alive or Just Breathing? Is a classic metalcore release, not quite up to the standard of the brilliant Shadows Fall, but it is a pleasant change to finally hear another classic album with the Roadrunner seal of approval. The musicianship displayed throughout this album is excellent, while the vocals of frontman Jesse Leach are delivered with great variety. The clean vocals at times seem a little bit over done, though that is just a matter of opinion. The standout tracks are: "Life to Lifeless", "Just Barely Breathing", "To the sons of Man" and the new versions of "Vide Infra" and "Temple From the Within", though the original version of the latter in my opinion is superior and it works better as an album opener.
Submitted by Diesel (5/31/02):
You'll have to excuse a slight bias here, seeing that I'm from Boston, and a fan of the metalcore sound. That being said, this is a fine album, and quite refreshing to see from the Roadrunner label.The first track, "Numbered Days", opens up hard with that start-stop-start-again style, then gets into some Hatebreedish chugging. Later on comes a little soulful clean-vox. It's also what they open up most of their live sets with lately.
This is a good indicator of what the rest of the album sounds like. Breakdown-style riffing, some soloing, a few squeals, a few acoustic parts, a lot of hardcore barked verses, with catchy clean choruses. "Temple from the Within" and "Vide Infra" sound a little rougher than the other tracks, as they appeared on Killswitch's locally-distributed debut.
This album has excellent production, and grows on the listener quickly. While not up with the best of the metalcore albums [IMO], like God Forbid's Determination and Unearth's Stings of Conscience, Alive or Just Breathing is pretty damn good. Hopefully, with big-label backing, and opening slots on tours like the current Hypocrisy/Soilwork jaunt, they'll build a national fanbase and draw the youth into viable metal. And most importantly, it sounds great in my truck stereo.
Submitted by Grindkrusher (5/7/02):
I don't really care for the other bands the judgment team compared this CD to (Shadow's Fall, Lamb of God, Diecast). I have heard the other bands, but they all did nothing for me... didn't impress me much. This CD caught my attention though. For some reason the clean production and some killer riffs caught my ear and I have listened to it quite a few times now. I ended up liking this one a little more than the team.
Submitted by bassbashr99 (5/3/02):
Listening to this album is empowering, listening to how positive the lyrics are makes you want to change. The guitar is absolutely amazing, and the drumming is insane. I cannot say enough good things about this record. It has a perfect mixture of hardcore and metal. I recommend all whole like metal, and all who like hardcore to buy this album. Songs like "Serenade," "Life to Lifeless" and "Numbered Days" are reason enough to buy the album!
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