This Consequence sees Killswitch Engage returning to their signature sound, blending aggressive riffs, emotionally charged lyrics, and an intense mix of guttural screams and soaring clean vocals. The album’s heavy, dark riffs are grounded by the band's expert ability to weave melody and raw power, creating a work that’s both visceral and introspective.
From the outset, This Consequence grabs your attention with its deep, primal energy. The heavy drums and gritty, groovy guitar riffs immediately set the tone, while the bass fills the low end with a commanding presence that’s impossible to ignore. Jesse Leach’s vocals are a standout throughout, shifting seamlessly from anguished screams to powerful, melodic cleans. There’s an underlying emotional intensity that runs through the record, whether it’s the raw aggression of the lyrics or the tension in the instrumentation. This blend of heaviness and melody creates a dynamic listening experience that feels both epic and deeply personal.
The album’s production is another noteworthy aspect. The mix has a rawness to it that adds to the gritty, intense feel of the music. While the guitars and drums are heavy and prominent, the bass has an almost tactile presence, grounding each track with its deep, buzzing tones. The vocals, whether screamed or sung clean, always sit perfectly within the mix, never overshadowing the music but adding to its emotional impact. There’s a balance here that allows each element of the band’s sound to shine through, creating an immersive and powerful listening experience.
Lyrically, This Consequence explores themes of struggle, loss, and emotional turmoil. There’s a sense of urgency in the words, a feeling that the band is speaking directly to the listener about the pain and challenges of life. The lyrics are not just surface-level; they carry a deep weight and relevance, inviting personal interpretation while also resonating on a universal level. It’s an album that feels meaningful and thoughtful, yet it doesn’t shy away from aggression or intensity when the music calls for it.
Throughout the album, Killswitch Engage expertly balances moments of crushing heaviness with melodic respite. Tracks like Forever Aligned and I Believe showcase the band’s ability to craft catchy, yet emotionally charged, choruses that offer a sense of contrast to the more aggressive passages. At the same time, songs like Where It Dies and Collusion dive deep into the band’s heavier, more hardcore influences, with dense riffs and furious drumming driving the tracks forward. These shifts in musical dynamics keep the album engaging, ensuring that it never feels repetitive or predictable.
By the time you reach the closing track, Requiem, you’re left with a sense of resolution—an emotional release that ties everything together. The song’s groovy, headbanging riffs and powerful cleans provide a fitting conclusion to an album that has been both heavy and introspective from start to finish.
Ultimately, This Consequence is a testament to Killswitch Engage’s mastery of their craft. With its combination of powerful lyrics, relentless aggression, and melodic nuance, the album captures the essence of what makes the band so influential within the metalcore scene. It’s a record that offers both emotional depth and brutal heaviness, delivering a satisfying and cathartic experience for listeners.
RATING: 9/10
NOTABLE TRACKS:
Abandon Us
Discordant Nation
Forever Aligned
The Fall Of Us