Killswitch Engage - Disarm The Descent

Unlike Chris Carrabba rejoining Further Seems Forever and Chad Gilbert returning do work vocals on Shai Hulud's latest, I wasn't as excited about Jesse Leach rejoining Killswitch Engage. I like Leach and the Times of Grace album is amazing. But Howard Jones had one of my favorite voices in metal and Alive Or Just Breathing is my least favorite KSE record.

What Times Of Grace showed us was a more matured vocalist with Leach, and you hear that on Disarm The Descent. That maturity and new smoothness to Leach's voice helps bridge the gap from Jones to Leach.

All fears that Disarm The Descent would sound like Times of Grace's "Hymns of A Broke Man" are thrown out as soon as Hell In Me kicks in. Leach's scream comes blasting into your ears when you hit play and the song explodes out of your stereo speakers. Beyond The Flames is a little more subdued, in the way that Killswitch's last record was more subdued. New Awakening is the catchiest song KSE has ever written. The hook is infectious. The theme of the song about not living in fear reminds me a ton of songs War of Ages has written in the past.

What really separates Leach from Jones is his lyrical content. While both are known for spiritually rich lyrical content and strong metaphors, Leach's lyrics on Disarm The Descent are less veiled and similar to his lyrical content on Hymns Of A Broken Man. There's an honesty that's not overbearing that I appreciate in Leach's lyrics. Spiritual but not preachy, as KSE has always been.

There's no reason why Killswitch fans shouldn't love Disarm The Descent. Leach's smooth and matured vocals won't leave this awkward gap that Jone's left. Musically, Disarm The Descent is stronger than the band's previous self-titled record. There are great heavy songs, as well as some nice ballads that let Leach's vocals shine.

Disarm The Descent is not a record to skip.