Pros: Howard's vocals melt with the band's sound; improved instrumentally
Cons: "World Ablaze" dull and boring
The Bottom Line: The album bends the sound barrier, while pulling you in by the ears and forcing you to love it. If you are into hardcore, this is the penultimate.
jakob_187's Full Review: The End of Heartache by Killswitch Engage
Only two albums in, Killswitch Engage was taking over the underground with their fusion of hardcore, metal, and opuses of an operatic proportion. The band puts their hands into every facet of their work, from the music to the production to the artwork to the packaging. They are a prime example of what musicians and artists should be. This only made it harder, of course, when fans heard the depressing news that Jesse David Leach, the band’s lead singer since the first day, announced his departure from the group. Although a mutual split, it left fans and the music world wondering if the boys would be releasing any new material, or if they would even stay together. However, with luck, they found unspoken talent in a giant black man by the name of Howard Jones, who was the lead singer for former Ferret label mates Blood Has Been Shed. With the release of The End of Heartache, the band has leapt to new boundaries, while maintaining the sound that made them the underground favorites in the first place.
Kicking off with a brooding guitar riff and tribal drum pattern on the opener “A Bid Farewell”, you can already feel Killswitch in action, as the growls and screams of Howard follow into a beautiful set of Adam’s distinctive licks with a thrash metal drum pattern. After hearing those pipes of Jones’ wailing out the chorus, it is a sure thing. Killswitch will work with their new lead singer. The entire album plays out like a re-introduction of a band that, coincidentally, never left us. The band has found an equal mix between their hardcore roots and the world of metal that so many love. With their two previous efforts, the grandeur of the music was overridden by Jesse’s voice. With this run-through, the boys have pulled off making the crunches, the double bass, the thunder, and the vocals work out just right.
“There is no forever, just today. Don’t let your sacrifice waste away.” --Wasted Sacrifice
There is this presence about the band with their new addition that is quite different from when they had Jesse. Howard’s vocals have a very unforced quality to them, like his cords aren’t being strained at all. You can even hear a mistake or two, note wise, on his part, but it works so well with the music that you find it to be so beautiful. When Jesse would sing, it was beautiful as well, but you could hear that sometimes, it was a bit too much. Howard’s transitions from growl to scream to sing and vice versa is flawless, like he’s not even thinking about it. The vocals are much more natural, whereas something like Alive Or Just Breathing was very worked on. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you find yourself becoming entrapped in Heartache more than the past efforts.
“Let the strength of your words be the spark that ignites the flame. Proclaim your freedom. Give voice to your liberation. This is my confession. Mark these words, we will rise.” --Hope Is…
The extent of the guitar work on Heartache is nothing less than brilliance. The duel guitars side by side play out like a tribute to everything that guitar is. From the soft lullabies “And Embers Rise” and “Inhale” to tearing and ripping through a song like “Breathe Life”, the music is definitely there. You’ll even get a slight taste of Blood Has Been Shed’s crunch and metalcore feel in songs like “Hope Is…” and “Declaration”. Probably the best use of a down tuning ever is apparent in “Declaration”, as the beginning crunch riffs just drop your heart in unexpected surprise. I did not think a guitar could sound that pretty when pushed to a limit of musical scale. All the music work, however, isn’t just on the guitar front. The bass work speaks out a bit more, and the drums have a definite improvement. The double bass kicks prove that Killswitch has what it takes to play ball in the big leagues, while the often time-changes (also reminiscent of Blood Has Been Shed) add a new level to the band’s sound as well.
“This distance; this disillusion. I cling to memories while falling. Sleep brings relief and the hope of a new day. Waking the misery of being without you…for comfort, for solace, for the end of my broken heart.” --The End of Heartache
By far, the best song on the album would be the title cut, “The End Of Heartache”. The drum riff and cymbal ride with absolutely no guitar playing for a second or two is perfect. The emotional level of this song is through the roof, and ranks among the top three songs they’ve written in their short career (“The Element Of One” and “My Last Serenade” being the other two). One sad mistake on the album is forgivable, which is presented in the form of “World Ablaze”, a poor attempt of a song that can be forgiven since the rest of the album plays so well on your stereo. Two more personal favorites, which many people seem to agree with me on, are the tragic “Rose of Sharyn” and “Take This Oath”. “Sharyn” is one of the rare instances where I actually like a single from an album, even if it is overplayed. The closing track, “Hope Is…”, can rank among the best closers ever.
“What would I give to behold the smile, the face of love? You never left me. The rising run will always speak your name. It won’t be long. We’ll meet again. Your memory is never passing; my love for you is everlasting. I mourn for those who never knew you.” --Rose of Sharyn
Overall, and this is the shortest closing sentence ever, buy it now.
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